The Council was formed to administer funding provided through the Australian Assistance Plan (AAP). It operated from 1974 to 1978.;;The aim of the AAP was to explore the viability of regional planning of social welfare services by community-based organisations. Regional Councils would work with voluntary agencies, governments and local groups to develop region specific responses to social planning and community development.;;The 'Australian Assistance Plan' fund saw 35 Regional Councils across Australia provided with seed grants of $20,000 during the financial years 1974/75 and 1975/76. Three bodies were funded in Tasmania: 'Interim Planning Committee for the Southern Region' (later the Southern Regional Council for Social Development), 'Northern Tasmanian Regional Council for Social Development (Northern Region), and the North West and West Interim Committee for a Regional Council for Social Development (Mersey/Lyell Region). In addition the Tasmanian Southern Region also received a capitation fund of $336,512 p.a. for 1974/75 and 19765/76.