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The Southern Midlands Council is a rural local government authority with approximately 3,800 rateable properties and 6,000 persons living across the towns and districts. The area of the Municipality is 2561 square kilometres and includes towns and districts of Mangalore, Bagdad, Broadmarsh, Elderslie, Dysart, Kempton, Melton Mowbray, Jericho, Oatlands, Tunbridge, Tunnack, Parattah, Woodsdale, Levendale, Runnymede, Colebrook, Campania, Rekuna & Pontville. 

The municipal area is centrally located with both the Midland Highway and the north-south rail route bisecting the municipality. It is covered by the Federal Government seat of Lyons, the State Government's House of Assembly seat of Lyons, along with the Legislative Council seat of Prosser.

The Southern Midlands traditionally has a rural based economy, known for growing some of the world's best superfine wool. The Coal River Vally region is well known for viticulture and stone fruit production. The recent expansion of irrigation infrastructure has contributed to diversification of high value agriculture in other areas of the municipality. Tourism is also of growing importance to the local economy.

Historic heritage is a significant feature and focus for the municipality. The region was the first broadly settled area outside of Hobart. Many examples of 19th century architecture can be found in the area's villages and rural districts., including convict-built grand Georgian rural homesteads and small workers' cottages. 

The Midland Highway is the most direct route between Launceston and Hobart and is known as the 'Heritage Highway', as it follows much the same route as built by convict-labour in the early 1800s. Historic coaching inns and many convict related heritage sites including probation and road stations, gaols and watch houses are found along the highway. 

Oatlands marked the bicentenary of the naming of the town by Governor Lachlan Macquarie last year, along with several towns on or near the highway (Perth, Campbell Town, Ross, Brighton and Sorell). Oatlands has the largest collection of colonial sandstone buildings in Australia, many built by convict labour. Oatlands is home to the iconic Callington Mill, built in 1837. The mill is the only tower mill of its kind left in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Oatlands remains an important rural service centre, with facilities such as a hospital and aged care, State and Local Government offices, District High School and various shops and services. A new indoor aquatic centre in Oatlands is nearing completion and expected to open in mid-2022. This project fulfills a long term strategic goal of the Southern Midlands Council and will be a significant addition to the health and recreation offerings in the region. The aquatic centre has been jointly funded by Local, State and Federal governments. 

Towns in the southern part of the municipality including Campania and Bagdad/Mangalore are increasingly part of the 'commuter-belt' around greater Hobart. Lifestyle and housing affordability are contributing to increased residential development growth in these areas.