Councils traditionally have provided services like roads, water supply and sewerage, but increasingly they are now involved in the social, economic and cultural development of communities and in improving local living environments.

Local government plays an important role in community governance. In exercising its jurisdiction, a local government has a law-making (legislative) role for local laws and an executive role for:

• adopting and implementing policy
• administering local government
• enforcing its local laws.

Local governments also are accountable to the community. Councillors are expected to lead an accountable and transparent local government and make sound decisions which will lead to a sustainable future for the community.