Community Services Program was previously Essential Services and Parks & Gardens. Council combined the programs because the work undertaken in both overlapped and both programs had small numbers of staff.

Community Services is responsible for maintenance of communal areas, work undertaken in the PowerWater contract and the Department of Infrastructure contract for airstrip maintenance.

Community Services works closely with CDEP with garbage collection. Garbage collection is done three days a week. Garbage collection is still an occupational health and safety problem. Garbage continues to be deposited into an open back truck with men standing in the garbage on the back of the truck. Garbage is removed from the truck by hands and rakes. Council has sought funding in the past for a garbage compactor however the application was not successful. Council has identified the need for a garbage compactor in their three year business plan.

Council charges a Service Fee for garbage collection. This is charged on all community houses, community store, Council buildings, Government buildings and Government houses.

Council budgeted for a full time mechanic and 1.5 community service workers. Council were not able to employ a mechanic because the house allocated for the mechanic was leased to the Department of Health and Community Services. The Department requested the use of a house for a Health Worker who was to be employed from outside the community. This was a result of the Belyuen Clinic being handed back to the Department at the end of March 2002. Council agreed to the lease because of the importance of having a Health Worker in the community. The Lease was until the 30th June 2002.

Belyuen Council had a mechanic ready to start the following week however the new houses that the Department was building for their staff were not completed so the Department requested an extension to the lease for a further three months. The mechanic accepted another position in the meantime and Council had to then re-advertise the position. The mechanic commenced in November 03.

Cost of repairs for vehicles and equipment (including CDEP) has been high due to (a) having to take all items out of the community for repairs and maintenance and (b) not having a person to keep regular checks on such items before they leave the workshop and when they are returned. The employment of a mechanic will not only cut down on r & m but equipment etc will have a longer life expectancy.

The two community service workers undertook training in small engine maintenance training and driver training for medium rigid vehicles. These were funded through NTEATA.