About Us

About West Arnhem Shire Council

On 11 October 2006 the Minister for Local Government announced the Northern Territory Government’s reform program for local government. The reform was intended to result in a new framework of municipal and shire councils that incorporates the whole of the Northern Territory into local government areas by 1 July 2008.

The reform process went ahead under the direction of the Department of Local Government, the Local Government Advisory Board and input from Shire Transitional Committees comprising representatives from affected councils and other stakeholders.

The Directory grouped the existing local governing bodies behind each Shire Council that they will be amalgamated into as from 1 July 2008. All local governing bodies will have the status of local government after 30 June 2008 by virtue of all of them being constituted under the Local Government Act.

The reform transformed the way local government services are delivered to all Territorians living in rural and remote communities. The reform involved the establishment of eight new Shire Councils.

The new West Arnhem Shire incorporated the following local government bodies:

Maningrida Council Incorporated,
Jabiru Town Council,
Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council,
Minjilang Community Incorporated, and
Warruwi Community Incorporated

A large area of unincorporated land that included Cobourg Peninsular National Park, Kakadu National Park, Ranger Uranium mine and Arnhem Land Trust areas is also included in the new Shire.

These changes meant that large parts of the Shire can now receive local government services for the first time. The West Arnhem Shire Council has embarked on an ambitious staged program that will roll out these services over the next 5 years.

Apart from the traditional local government services, the Council also provides a wide range of community programs. These programs focus on a regional approach so all community members can enjoy the benefits. These programs include:

training and employment
family safety that includes night patrol, safe houses, counselling
sport and recreation
maintenance and recording of languages
local radio broadcasting

This has been an exciting time for the region and the Council is firmly committed to achieving significant and lasting change to improve the quality of life for all Shire residents.

Ralph F Blyth Mark Griffioen

President Chief Executive Officer