Minister's Statement Community Engagement Transitional Committee Advisory Board

In October 2006 the Northern Territory Government announced the reform of local government.

Its intention was to improve and expand the delivery of services to towns and communities across the Territory by establishing eight new Shires.

The reform was historically the biggest ever change in local government, with a step by step approach adopted so that the transition could be achieved as smoothly as possible.

Hand in hand with the reform process, efforts were made to improve business and employment opportunities in rural and remote communities.

Since the first steps, the reform process delivered a fully operational system of Shire administrations by July 1, 2008.

These steps included new Shire boundaries, the establishment of Shire offices in major centres, the appointment of Shire Chief Executive Officers, the ongoing recruitment of staff and the installation of unified business systems.

The election of Shire Councillors was conducted in October 2008.

This website provides information on the background to the reform process and the procedures adopted in making the transition to new local government.