Local government is a sphere of government that provides public services generally suited to delivery at the community or the local/regional level. It operates alongside state and Commonwealth governments, although local government is not recognised under the Commonwealth Constitution. However, it has important relationships with the Commonwealth and state governments through an array of transfers including financial assistance grants, subsidies, tax exemptions, levies, charges and so on.
The functions of councils in Tasmania are prescribed under Section 20 of the Local Government Act 1993 (which is currently under review). Services they provide include garbage and waste disposal facilities, roads and footpaths, drainage, water supply and sewerage, health inspection, cemeteries, park and recreation facilities, gardens, and a range of community services.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide Tasmanian councils - and the public - with a basis for measuring and comparing council performance over time. A KPI project, initially funded by the Commonwealth government, has been progressed jointly by the state government, the Local Government Association of Tasmania and Local Government Managers Australia, with some assistance from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Data have been collected, analysed and published for the 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 financial years. The performance indicators are contained in the report of the KPI Committee, Measuring Council Performance in Tasmania, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
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