Function

• The act requires that regions within the Northern Territory be governed by at least one council that broadly oversees public services. Local governments must also have a mayor, who is effectively the head of the council.
  
  

Considerations

• All members of local government councils must be elected in open, public elections. Individual districts within the Northern Territory may establish their own regulations governing elections and how often a council member or mayor may run for office.
  
  

Oversight

• The act also establishes several regulations to oversee local governments. In addition to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, the act also ensures the continuation of the Local Government Association. The LGA is a body representing the councils of the 16 local governments in the Northern Territory, and it holds meetings to coordinate projects and form advocacy groups for the local governments.