Make a complaint about council operations
If you think a council has not followed the Local Government Act 2019 or other local government laws, you can make a complaint to the Local Government and Community Development Unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Community.
The unit reviews complaints about possible breaches of local government legislation.
The unit does not review complaints about council decisions or how a council manages its processes, unless there may have been a breach of legislation. In these cases, you should contact the council directly.
What the department can and can't do
The department can:
- assess complaints
- request information from councils
- investigate serious matters
- issue directions to councils
- refer matters to other agencies if needed.
The department can't:
- change or overturn council decisions
- get involved in personal disputes
- deal with council staff employment matters
- investigate anonymous complaints unless there is enough information and evidence.
After you make a complaint
The department will assess your complaint and decide whether any action is needed. We may contact you if we need more information.
You can make a complaint anonymously. However, if we cannot contact you, it may be harder to investigate the matter or provide you with an update.
Depending on the complaint, we may not be able to share detailed information about the outcome. However, we will let you know if action has been taken.
How to make a complaint
To report a possible breach of local government legislation, complete the online form.
If you would like to discuss a possible breach before making a complaint, contact the Local Government and Community Development Unit by emailing lgquestions.dhlgcd@nt.gov.au or calling 08 8999 8300.
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