Knowing Local Government

Knowing Local Government website launched

The Knowing Local Government web site will give new Local Government Councillors, based in rural and remote locations in the Northern Territory, a learning tool that provides material in plain English on a range of topics about working as a Councillor in the new NT Local Government Shires.

Knowing Local Government can be used in three ways:

• Voiceover presentation of each topic, supported by illustrations and cartoons.
• Avatar Councillor Harry “story” on each topic, set in the virtual shire of Yendowra.
• Downloadable keynote presentations, a summary of each topic supported by illustrations and cartoons.

Knowing Local Government also has:

• Activities at the end of each topic: users can check their knowledge and understanding.
• Downloadable audio MP3 files and scripts of each topic, for reading or listening in your own time.
• A DVD/CD format for access in limited bandwidth areas.

At launch Knowing Local Government will have the following units:

• Local Government Elections (information about elections, shires and wards, models of representation, being a candidate and voting)
• Governance Charter Part One (information about good governance principles, good governance skills, leadership, the Local Government Act, and separation of powers)
• Governance Charter Part Two will follow in early August (information about the role, functions and objectives of a council, the role of a councillor, president/mayor, CEO, staff and the code of conduct).

Knowing Local Government has been developed by the Northern Territory Government, with funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and assistance from the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory.

Please forward comments and inquiries to freya.bennett@nt.gov.au.

The site can be viewed at www.klg.net.au.  Log on and have a look!