Opinion: Is it time we abolished local councils in the Northern Territory?

IS IT time that we abolished local councils in the Northern Territory?

Local councils are fast losing relevance in the Northern Territory, the NT News believes. Is it time that we abolished local councils here?

IS IT time that we abolished local councils in the Northern Territory?

The fact is local councils are fast losing relevance in the NT.

The people don’t exactly know what they do.

In an NT News 100-person poll before the election, dozens said council should lower crime rates and improve healthcare — both responsibilities of the Territory Government.

Councils around the Territory are not impressing their ratepayers.

Palmerston council was sacked for financial mismanagement and Darwin council keeps trying to make itself relevant by debating issues it has no control over.

In one meeting alone, Darwin council debated changing the date they celebrate Australia Day and voted to urge the feds to move towards banning all alcohol advertisements.

Neither of these tasks are the responsibility of council.

Outside, a ratepayer protested calling for council to focus on the things it’s meant to be looking after.

The man was right. Council should be sticking to its core business of roads, rates and rubbish and leaving the federal issues to the federal politicians.

And council should no longer be used as a showboating arena for potential political candidates.

Few would notice if we got rid of the aldermen, keeping only the Lord Mayor and maybe a deputy to do ceremonial events such as ribbon cutting and citizenship ceremonies.

Most of the staff could remain but be absorbed into the NT Government, to do the same tasks they do now.

In some cases, costs would drop where there are double-ups – for example we would need only one roads department.

If council doesn’t return to its core issues, the time for amalgamation or exoneration may be soon.