Northern Territory Numbered Acts Northern Territory Numbered Acts(1) The underlying principles of this Act are as follows:
(a) local government is a distinct and essential sphere of government;
(b) the system of local government:
(i) needs to be flexible and adaptable to the diverse interests and needs of the many communities within the Territory; and
(ii) needs to be comprehensive, democratic, responsive to community needs and accountable both to local communities and the public generally.
(2) Anyone exercising a power or performing a function under this Act must, as far as practicable, uphold the principles.
(3) However, the principles do not affect the operation of any law in force in the Territory.