National and International Trends in Local Governance and their Relevance to Tasmania: Future of Local Government Review Background Research Paper No. 2

Local governments around the world play an important but evolving role representing and supporting local communities. Beyond a common focus on providing infrastructure and delivering services to promote community development and wellbeing, systems of local government vary significantly depending on the particular political circumstances and the specific needs and priorities of the communities they serve. This Background Paper for Tasmania’s Future of Local Government Review identifies and summarises key trends in local government reform in Australia and internationally.