What Do Local Governments Do

Local government is responsible for a range of vital services for people and businesses in defined areas. Among them are well known functions such as social care, schools, housing and planning and waste collection, but also lesser known ones such as licensing, business support, registrar services and pest control.

What are the responsibilities of the local government?

• local roads and infrastructure.
• parks maintenance and pools.
• water and sewerage.
• waste collection.
• animal management (e.g. pet registration)
• urban planning, building services and protection of heritage buildings or vegetation.

What does the local government have the power to do?

Municipalities generally take responsibility for parks and recreation services, police and fire departments, housing services, emergency medical services, municipal courts, transportation services (including public transportation), and public works (streets, sewers, snow removal, signage, and so forth).