Local councils lack the means to tackle homelessness, but are often closest to the people at risk. A national plan should recognise and resource the role councils can play in preventing homelessness.
Darebin City Council was the first to declare a climate emergency.
John Englart/Flickr
A national survey shows that, while Australians see the traditional council services as very important, most support local government involvement in a much broader range of issues and activities.
Traffic passes by election signs on Wellington Road in London, Ont., on Oct. 22, 2018, municipal election day in Ontario.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins
Attracting more diverse municipal candidates who represent Canada’s population requires better pay. Right now, city council jobs favour aging white men who are retired or independently wealthy.
Wealthy areas of London have better green space provision than the national average.
QQ7/Shutterstock
James Lesh, The University of Melbourne and Kali Myers, The University of Melbourne
If communities don’t understand and support local heritage protections, perhaps that’s a reflection on how the system works and not just evidence of a need for public education.
Ethnically diverse Leicester, back in lockdown.
Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA Images
From planning, transport, education, housing, to decisions about grants and businesses, local authorities can play a role in perpetuating ethnic disadvantages – or could be used to address them.
Digital communications could be a force for greater local democracy in urban planning and development, but many councils use the technologies in ways that mirror traditional consultation.
Johnstone Shire Hall was the birthplace of an ambitious partnership between 11 local governments in 1944. Together, they led a regional post-war reconstruction agenda in North Queensland.
State Library of Queensland
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, regional Australia needs local government to emulate the example of the local councils that brought prosperity to North Queensland after the second world war.
The Warrick Lane redevelopment is a major construction project overseen by local government.
Blacktown City Council/Facebook
Local councils work hand in hand with industries like construction. If the downturn is allowed to cripple councils, that will also hit essential businesses hard.
Storm-damaged beachfront homes along Pittwater Road at Collaroy on the northern beaches of Sydney in June 2016.
Dean Lewins/AAP
A particular brand of climate denial among coastal property owners presents a conundrum for councils and governments trying to plan for sea-level rise.
No place for young people.
Gareth Fuller/PA Images.
The workplace parking levy is a simple idea, but tricky to implement.
Local councils across Australia are concerned about a shortage of affordable housing, but feel the problem is beyond local government’s capacity to solve.
Dave Hunt/AAP
A national survey shows councils know much of the housing in their local areas isn’t affordable. But providing affordable housing is not a priority because they see it as being beyond their means.