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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services is responsible for the development and regulation of local government in the Northern Territory.

Services provided by the department in order to support and help improve local government performance and sustainability, include:

• Strategic advice and independent assessment of regional issues;
• Coordination of government support to Councils;
• Policy and legislation advice;
• Monitoring and advice on service delivery, financial management and operational issues;
• Administration of grants to Councils;
• Administration of local government legislative requirements.

The department also provides administrative support to the Northern Territory Grants Commission.

Regional offices maintain the department’s strong regional presence and lead the department in servicing the Territory’s Darwin, Arnhem, Big Rivers, Barkly and Central Australian Regions. The department’s Local Government Business Support unit assists the regional offices in undertaking this role.

In 2008 a major local government reform process led to the introduction of shire councils and the new Local Government Act. The reform aims to strengthen leadership and governance in the local government sector, particularly in regional and remote areas. This includes a commitment by the department to support local government councils to provide strong representation, effective governance, regional advocacy, high quality services, community development opportunities and increased levels of Indigenous employment in the local government sector.