Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations and acronyms

1. Introduction
1.1 Rationale
1.2 Project goals
1.3 Methodology

2. Context
2.1 Regional overview
2.2 Decentralisation
2.3 Issues in local governance
2.4 Local government and civil society
2.5 Local government and traditional governance
2.6 The urban challenge
2.7 Local government finance
2.8 Central-local relations

3. Current Legislative Frameworks
3.1 Defining local government
3.2 Country systems
3.2.1 Cook Islands
3.2.2 Fiji
3.2.3 Kiribati
3.2.4 Papua New Guinea
3.2.5 Samoa
3.2.6 Solomon Islands
3.2.7 Tonga
3.2.8 Tuvalu
3.2.9 Vanuatu

4. Towards Principles for Effective Legislation
4.1 Sources and ideas
4.2 A ‘menu’ of principles

5. Case Study: Fiji
5.1 Context
5.2 System of local government
5.2.1 Local government structures
5.2.2 Role and functions
5.2.3 Oversight and scrutiny
5.2.4 Inter-government relations
5.3 Agendas for reform: the 2006 amendments
5.4 Agendas for reform: the 2008 review
5.5 Lessons for effective legislation

6. Case Study: Honiara City Council
6.1 Context
6.2 Establishment and operation of the city council
6.3 Review of the Honiara City Act
6.4 Town planning and building control
6.5 Lessons for effective legislation

7. Case Study: Samoa
7.1 Context
7.2 System of local government
7.3 Traditional village governance
7.3.1 Forces for change
7.4 Urban governance
7.5 Emerging agendas
7.5.1 Ministry capacity building
7.5.2 Samoa Village Governance Strengthening Project
7.5.3 Vaitele pilot study
7.6 Lessons for effective legislation

8. Synthesis and Conclusions
8.1 Lessons from the case studies
8.1.1 Clear role definition
8.1.2 Democracy and representativeness
8.1.3 Social context
8.1.4 Integrating systems
8.1.5 Urban growth management
8.1.6 Resources
8.1.7 Capacity for oversight and support
8.1.8 Inter-government relations
8.1.9 Local government and traditional governance
8.2 The limits to legislation
8.3 Ten key principles

Notes
References and bibliography

About the Author

Professor Graham Sansom was Director of the UTS Centre for Local Government and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government. His principal professional and research interests are in the areas of public policy, particularly issues relating to the fundamental role and purpose of local government, strategic and corporate planning, and inter-government relations.