Local councils

Local council is a good place to start when looking to make a change to a street.

Even if it is not their responsibility, they will be able to guide you to where to go next.

Step 1: Find your local council

If you don’t already know these details, first find your local electorate on the relevant Australian Electoral Council (AEC) website (links below).

Infographic showing local government key facts and figures. 
Local Government Key Facts and Figures (Australian Local Government Association website)

Step 2: Find your local council’s contact details

  1. Google your council name to find their website

  2. Find their contact us page to find an email address, phone number, or web form.

    Note the council’s phone number will have someone answer after hours 24/7 for urgent enquiries.

Step 3: Write to them about your concerns and the improvements you want in the area

Step 1 - Outline the general issue and describe the issue. Include photos if possible.

Is the general issue about: trees, roads, rubbish, parking, animals, vandalism, parks, footpaths, signage, water?

What is the problem? Is something missing? Is there something broken or that needs to be removed?

Use words that are descriptive such as “dark”, “cracked”, “damaged”, “safe”, “wide”, “narrow” rather than broad terms such as “terrible” “bad” “good”.

Photos showing the area are effective as they help the person reading the email understand exactly what the issue is and how to action without extra work.

Step 2 - Provide the exact location

Include the street address and suburb, including nearest cross street if possible. Is it on the North/West side of the street?

If emailing, include a google maps reference or screenshot.

Step 3 - Request an action

Ask a question that requires an answer. “Can you advise when a kerb ramp would be able to installed in this location?”

When/where/why/how…? Perhaps request a site visit / meeting to discuss further.

Download our 2 page tips with detailed suggestions.

Step 4 - Follow up

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again!

Tips

  • Be polite and constructive in tone

  • Copy in other allies or sub-targets (your Better Streets group, local member, councillor, newspaper, lobby group like NRMA), especially if you might be able to use their help to follow up after.

  • Give your street address and phone number so that council know you are a resident and can follow up with you later on.