Opinion: Important to have your say in local government elections

Voting in local body elections is an important way to have an impact on issues affecting your city. Photo / File

It astounds me why more people do not vote in local government elections.

Maybe I have just got old and sensible, or maybe working in media I have an abnormal view of how interesting local politics can be. Yet the apathy and distinterest shown by many around the country surprises me.

It could be argued that decisions made by our local councils have more of an impact on our day to day lives than those made by the Government.

Sure, the big stuff like education, health, social welfare and justice are down to the Government but what about all those things we encounter every day as we go about our business? Those things we don't hesitate to whinge about when they are not right?

Potholes on the road are a favourite bugbear and we all care how we get rid of our rubbish every week. We all like to go shopping and dine out in an attractive CBD and many of us benefit when the city is humming with visitors. Then there's that boring - but essential - stuff like sewage and how we get rid of it.

Whether they know it or not, I reckon everyone in this city has an opinion on something that falls within the council's area of responsibility. So why not get involved?

It can be hard to know who to vote for, especially when going in cold. But read the candidate guide that came with your voting papers or check out the candidates' Facebook pages and websites. Go to the elections section of the Daily Post website and read back through the stories over the past few months. Who do you agree with? At the very least it may help you decide who NOT to vote for.

Voting is not miraculously going to get us everything we want. Life doesn't work like that. Chances are there will still be things we don't like - heck, those people we vote for may not even get rid of our potholes. On the other hand, maybe they will.

It's worth a shot. After all, whinging about who or what we don't like - then doing nothing about it when given the chance - sure isn't going to get us anywhere.

It's not too late. Drop off your papers to the library or council building by 12pm tomorrow and have your say.