Local government

Local government

Government
State government Local government Metropolitan councils Regional councils
Transport
Airports Trains Trams Buses Car hire Taxis Boats & ferries Bicycles Journey planner Ticketing
Driving
Types of roads Toll roads Tunnels Bridges Traffic reports Road rules Driving in snow Driving safety Fuel Electric car charging Food quarantine areas
Weather
Forecasts Current conditions Sunrise & sunset Climate Web cams
Location & maps
Map of Victoria Street directories Distance guide
Facts & figures
History timeline Population State symbols The land Time zone
Communications
Telephone Post Radio Television
Holidays
Public holidays School holidays
Visitor information
Visitor information centres Overseas visitors
Your safety
Help & warnings Dangerous animals

Local government areas

Victoria is divided up into 79 local government areas which are referred to as councils or municipalities. They are classified as being either a city, rural city, shire or borough.

There are some small parts of Victoria which lie outside the boundaries of those 79 council areas and therefore have no local government. They are referred to as unincorporated areas and include French Island in Western Port, a number of other off-shore islands, and the snow resorts of Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling.

Victoria's 31 metropolitan councils »

Victoria's 48 regional councils »

About local government

Roles

Councils maintain designated community infrastructure including local roads, drains, public buildings, recreation facilities and parks. They take responsibility for planning and land use within the community, waste collection and recycling services. Health, wellbeing, counselling and youth programs are conducted. Councils also create local laws which help to protect public health, safety or amenity.

Structure

Councillors are democratically elected by residents and ratepayers of a local government area. They define policies and make decisions that are in the best interests of the community they represent.

Councillors appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) who heads a team of staff which are responsible for implementing council decisions and delivering services to the community. Council staff also provide advice and expertise to the elected councillors.

The mayor is a member of the council that acts as a ceremonial figurehead and provides leadership for both the council and community. In all but one of Victoria's councils, a mayor is elected by councillors who vote amongst themselves for the position. In the City of Melbourne, residents and ratepayers directly elect a lord mayor when voting, in addition to electing councillors.

Elections

Council elections are normally held for every municipality in Victoria every four years, on the fourth Saturday in October. The last council elections were held on Saturday 24th October 2020. The next council elections are expected to be held on Saturday 26th October 2024.

Voting is compulsory for residents aged between 18 and 69. Voting is optional for residents aged 70 years and over. Ratepayers who don't live within the municipality their property is situated within are entitled to cast a vote in the election for that municipality, however it is not compulsory unless their property is within the City of Melbourne.

Depending on the municipality, voting may be conducted either by attendance voting at nominated venues or by completing voting papers via the postal service.