Editorial: Your vote, your council

EDITORIAL: BALLOT papers for local government elections will start to drop into Tasmanian mailboxes on Monday, giving voters the chance to determine the makeup of their councils for the next four years.

Editorial: Ballot papers for local government elections will start to drop into Tasmanian mailboxes on Monday. Pictured are young voters Harry Payne, 19, of Mount Stuart and Heidi La Paglia, 25, of Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

BALLOT papers for local government elections will start to drop into Tasmanian mailboxes on Monday, giving voters the chance to determine the makeup of their councils for the next four years. This is an important election, as these are always important elections, for this is the level of government that is closest to the people. It is fair to say that for most of us, the staples of local government, the roads, rates, and rubbish, are the stuff of daily life — far more so than the concerns of state and federal government. Of course, it is far more than that, there is a complexity of oversight and responsibility that most of us fail to fully appreciate until something goes wrong.

For the voters in the Huon Valley, this election will see them regain a say in local government after their council was sacked two years ago. For everyone else (bar Glenorchy, whose council is not up for re-election) there are plenty of issues at stake, from the shape of future development to the ongoing reform of water and sewerage, even the future of their councils themselves as the amalgamations debate simmers in the background. Some of these may yet be decided by state government, for others, the solutions must come from a local level, driven by the community.

There is a refreshing representativeness from the candidates proffering themselves for election at the local government level as well. The signs that have been springing up around the state show a delightful diversity of folk up for election, far removed from the cookie-cutter image of the party-machine politician. The influence of the parties’ machines is muted at the local government level and that is welcome.

Local government can serve as a good proving ground for people taking the first steps of a political career. Some of our state and federal representatives started out serving on their local councils. It is a good place to learn the responsibilities of political representation and the need to work with the community to achieve good outcomes. For others, a term on local government is their only foray into political life. In either case, we should be grateful that there are people willing to put their hands up as being willing to do the hard, unglamorous, and often thankless work of a local councillor. Their service is part of what makes our community strong.

Given the sheer number of candidates on many of the ballot papers, voters have a bit of work to do too. If we want the best councils possible, people need to ensure they are well-informed about the candidates and their platforms. And most of all, they need to make sure they submit a valid and timely vote.

As always, the Mercury is committed to providing the best possible coverage of local government in Tasmania. Especially over the election period, we will bring our readers all the information we can to help them cast a well-informed vote. Scrutiny of all levels of government is a job that never stops, and that continues today with our in-depth coverage of the mayoral contests in Hobart, Kingborough and Clarence.

Good luck to all the candidates. May we end up with the councils that we deserve.