The Local Government Act gives councils their core purpose:
- to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community
- to represent the community's interests
- to ensure peace, order and good government.
To help manage these responsibilities, councils can also create their own specific laws, called by-laws. These allow a council to respond to local needs – like rules for parking or managing public spaces – and add to the powers given to it under other legislation.
For an overview of council services and the laws that guide them, go to Local Government Association of Tasmania.
Last updated: 15 September 2026