Whakaaro: Tasman District Council’s October revolution
Every three years, voters in Tasman get the chance to send our council a loud message, and 2010 is that year. We all have until midday on 9 October, in fact, to ensure our votes count. You couldn’t imagine a simpler way of voting, so the $99 billion question is this: why do so many not vote when our local councils are worth so much?
In 2007, 54 out of each 100 eligible voters in Tasman opened, completed and returned their votes. These figures also tell us that locally, 46 percent of voters couldn’t find the inclination to undertake this simple but important task. So if you are looking for a good reason to vote, then the mind-boggling sums our councillors control is it. In 2009, Tasman collected in rates more than enough money to run the Security Intelligence Service and still have $8 million left in change. Our council further controls assets approaching $1.2 billion. Leading our council is no small undertaking.
For many farmers, myself included, rates are now among our biggest working expenses. But it’s not just farmers. In Richmond, many retirees and home owners on low or fixed incomes are in the same boat. What farmers want, and I bet many urban ratepayers as well, are councillors committed to sound and equitable policies. Candidates need to understand that rates are not there to fund “dreams and schemes”.
Rates come off the back of property owners, and this is why Federated Farmers has created a manifesto, which we’re making available to all candidates. It provides candidates and voters with a yardstick to assess policies, pledges and positions. While there’s a rural element, the points are pretty much universal for town and country. Candidates need to know what’s expected of them, the concerns farmers have, and if they, personally, have the wherewithal to do something about them.
While the system of funding local government is badly flawed, a bold council can take action that will make a real difference to the amount farmers and property owners pay. That starts by treating our rates dollars as if they come directly out of their own personal bank account. It’s a mental shift that focuses candidates and councillors on the core job of their council, as opposed to pet projects pushed by vested interests.
Look at Environment Canterbury. Prior to the earthquake, its appointed commissioners took a huge scythe to the elected council’s proposed rate increases. From what I’ve seen post-earthquake, the relationship between it and farmers is seemingly on the up. The Canterbury earthquake shows how basic but absolutely critical council services really are: roads, water, waste and the like. It’s too easy for over-eager councillors to turn pet “nice to haves” into council “must haves”. The focus of candidates and councillors must be on what council has to provide residents and businesses.
When voting, remember that councillors are there to positively lead efficient organisations focused on deliverables over appearance. Facts and not emotion. They also need rigorous independence of thought and discipline because the money they spend is not “their” money, but is ours. So please read Federated Farmers’ Manifesto at www.fedfarm.org.nz (click on “our work” then “national policy” then “local government”). By doing that and by voting, you’ll help ensure not just farmers have a real influence on October’s outcome, but every citizen as well.
Graham Ball, provincial president
of Federated Farmers Golden Bay
