NT Local Government  > History

History

The history of Local Government in the Territory stretches back 120 years to the establishment of the Palmerston District Council in 1874. This Council was replaced by the Darwin Town Council in 1915 which operated until 1937. Twenty years later in 1957 the Municipality of Darwin was formed. Municipalities were established in Alice Springs in 1971, Katherine and Tennant Creek in 1977 and Litchfield and Palmerston in 1985.

In 1978 immediately following the achievement of self-government, the Local Government Act was amended to provide for the establishment of Community Government Councils. The first such Council to be constituted was Lajamanu in 1980. There are now 30 Community Government Councils. In addition 26 Incorporated 'Associations' are recognised as 'local governing bodies' under the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Act in order to receive funding provided to local governments for the provision of services.

Local Government in the Northern Territory is very inclusive of Aboriginal people with a large number of Aboriginal elected members and staff.