Australia: Challenging institutional constraints

Studies of Australian local government have typically focused on the powers and functions accorded to local government in the Australian federation. This institutional approach has tended to downplay the impact and importance of local government and focused on its weaknesses rather than on its capacity to mobilise and support local interests. This chapter takes a different trajectory by examining local government activity in relation to the broad societal roles it plays through expressing local identity, generating local economic development and providing welfare and services for local citizens. From this examination, the chapter concludes that Australian local government has challenged its institutional limitations and reveals a sector that is growing in confidence and capacity.