Explores the historic development of the three types of local government in the Northern Territory - municipal, community government and association councils since sel-f government in 1978; also explores the relationships of these three types of local governments to Indigenous interests; includes map of the different local government areas; in 2006 there were 63 local governing bodies - six municipalities, 30 community government councils, 26 association councils and one special purpose town council; after the paper was written there was an announcement by the NT government (11 October 2006) to move towards municipals and regional shires across the Northern Territory.