1Preamble

1 Preamble (1) Section 74A(1) of the **Constitution Act 1975** provides that local government is a distinct and essential tier of government consisting of democratically elected Councils having the functions and powers that the Parliament considers are necessary to ensure the peace, order and good government of each municipal district. (2) It is the role of Councils in exercising those functions and powers to work in partnership with the Governments of Victoria and Australia. (3) It is necessary to ensure that the Councillors who comprise each Council are democratically elected by persons entitled to vote at municipal elections and that the Council is responsible and accountable to the local community. (4) It is the role of the Council to provide governance and leadership for the local community through advocacy, decision making and action. (5) It is essential that there is a legislative framework that provides for Councils to be accountable to their local communities in the performance of functions and the exercise of powers and the use of resources. (6) The purpose of this Act is to establish a legislative scheme that supports the system of local government in accordance with Part IIA of the **Constitution Act 1975**. S. 1A inserted by No. 109/2003 s. 4.