Election intentions should be indicated

OPINION: We are now 10 months out from the next local government elections and quite rightly, The Southland Times has asked all councillors and the mayors/chairmen what their future intentions are, writes Stuart Collie this week.

 I have indicated that I will not be seeking re-election as I strongly believe that a council team needs to be regularly revitalised to be effective and representative of its constituency.

I will have had 12 years on the council at the end of this term – six of them as chairman. I have to date enjoyed every minute of that time, and have built some strong friendships on the way.

Many politicians, when asked what motivates them, have some answer that reflects a desire to give something to the community. I am cynical about that type of response as I am convinced that ego plays a part in deciding to contest a local government election at any level, and those who are motivated by a single burning issue that they plan to resolve find that, after being elected, their power is limited to their ability to influence others to a majority decision – that is democracy.

I have always enjoyed political involvement through farming and local body politics, and what has driven me is to be a part of the decision-making process, rather than having others making decisions on my behalf, and the satisfaction that goes with influencing those decisions. But, we all have our use-by date, and it is far better to recognise it yourself than for the electoral process to determine it for you.

It concerns me that many of those asked about their plans for the next election would not indicate their intentions. If an individual does not know what their plans are for next year, you may well ask how they can deliberate on such matters as Long-term Council Community Plans that can extend out 10 years.

That degree of uncertainty could also be labelled selfish, as many potential candidates can be deterred from putting themselves forward if high-profile politicians refuse to indicate their intentions.

The local government reforms in 1989 introduced payment for councillors and mayors/chairmen. This reflected the level of work and responsibility involved, that had previously been a barrier for many people. I defend the need for such payment as a necessary cost of democracy, but regrettably the prospect of an income from public office can be an influencing factor for those who make politics a career choice, and in many cases the lack of any alternative income encourages participation beyond what is best for the community.

One of the most difficult aspects of local government is to encourage suitable candidates to stand, because there is no guarantee that the election process will result in a council made up of 12 individuals who among them are truly representative of the total community.

There are many challenges for local government in Southland in the immediate future; probably more than we have had to deal with since World War II. The implications of further agriculture intensification and the possibility of large-scale energy development are just two. It's imperative that councils work collaboratively to meet the future challenges and to get buy-in from the wider community. It is essential to avoid the very public spat that currently prevails in Invercargill City as that kind of behaviour is destructive and divisive and diverts attention away from core business.

For the average voter to have any respect for local government, this kind of nonsense needs to be nipped in the bud.

» Stuart Collie is the chairman of Environment Southland.

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