Barkly Region: History
In October 2006 the Northern Territory Government announced the reform of local government areas. The intention of the reform was to improve and expand the delivery of services to towns and communities across the Northern Territory by establishing eleven new shires. The Barkly Shire was created on 1 July 2008, as were the remaining ten shires. On 1 January 2014, it was renamed Barkly Region.
The Barkly Region is administered by the Barkly Regional Council.
The most recent elections of Councillors were held on 18 November 2024. The current President (Mayor) of the Region is Sid Vashist.
In 2019, a proposal was made to build a 15,000 ha (37,000-acre) solar farm in the region, which would become the world's largest solar energy project.
In 2021, the region had the lowest rate of vaccination against COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2024, all members of the council were dismissed after an investigation into its management. A report by the Northern Territory government found the organisation had unmanaged conflicts of interest, breached the Local Government Act and had "serious deficiencies" in the conduct of council affairs.