Investigations by the Director of Local Government

What the director can investigate

The Director of Local Government's role is to investigate two types of serious alleged breaches of the Local Government Act 1993.

The first is a formal allegation that a council, councillor or general manager has not followed legal process. This could include:

• failing to conduct a council meeting appropriately
• failing to create or review a required policy or plan
• failing to perform a required function.

The second is a formal allegation that a councillor, general manager or employee of a council may have committed a specific offence. This could include:

• significant conflicts of interest
• failing to properly declare gifts or donations
• misuse of office or the improper use of confidential information.

What the director cannot investigate

The Director of Local Government's powers are specific to the Local Government Act. The director cannot investigate day-to-day operational issues or matters that are the responsibility of other independent bodies. This includes:

• Council services such as garbage collection or parking fines.
• Complaints about a councillor's behaviour (such as bullying or harassment). These are handled by an independent code of conduct panel through the Local Government Code of Conduct framework.
• Planning disputes. These are handled by your local council or the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Go to help with complaints and issues to find the most appropriate area for your concern.

How to make a formal complaint

Before you make a complaint, contact us first to discuss whether the matter is something the Director of Local Government can investigate.

Email: localgovernment@dpac.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6232 7022

A formal complaint to the director must:

1. Be in writing (both email and post are accepted).
2. Identify you and the person you are complaining about. You must include your name and contact details, as anonymous complaints cannot be accepted.
3. Provide the grounds of the complaint. You need to clearly explain the issue and provide any supporting documents or information you have.
4. Be verified by a statutory declaration. This is a legal statement confirming the information in your complaint is true. It is an offence to provide false or misleading statements. Find the statutory declaration form and a list of people who can witness a statutory declaration at the Department of Justice.

What happens after making a complaint?

The Office of Local Government will acknowledge your complaint in writing. It is then assessed against the Director of Local Government Complaint Handling Policy to determine the next steps. We aim to complete all assessments within 40 business days.

The director will notify you in writing of the outcome of the assessment, which could be:

• dismissal
• referral to another organisation (if your complaint is better handled by another body)
• action by the Office of Local Government to address the issues without a formal investigation
• acceptance for formal investigation.

If your complaint is accepted for investigation, you will be advised of the outcome once the investigation is complete.