2017-09-02
Brad Pettitt
The importance of local government is wonderfully outlined in Benjamin Barbers book “If Mayors Ruled the World” – a book which in WA could more accurately be called: “If Local Councils Ruled the World”. Barber cites the unique qualities local councils worldwide share: pragmatism, civic trust, participation, and a democratic penchant for networking, creativity, innovation, and cooperation. He demonstrates how city councils, singly and jointly, are responding to transnational problems like climate change more effectively than national governments which are too often stuck in ideological and party political battles.
Local government elections in WA are unlike state or federal elections in that they are largely non-party political. That is a good thing as it means that there is greater scope for collaboration and bottom-up, community driven change. It also means that local councils like Fremantle can, in addition to innovating locally from cycling to recycling, also show leadership on behalf of the community to influence national issues from Australia Day to plastic bags and marriage equality.
So what does all this mean for those of you wanting to run (or support others to run) for local government in October? First, local government is a great place to make a positive difference in your community. I have loved my time on the Fremantle Council and look forward to continuing to drive progressive change.
Second, in my experience it is counter-productive for candidates to run in a party political manner. While it is important you are up-front and honest about your political connections, in local government you are foremost a representative of your community – which in Fremantle is pleasingly a diverse but also largely progressive bunch.
Third, the best way to get elected to get linked in with your community via community groups and the precinct groups, have a positive vision for what changes you want to see in your area, and finally, use the important networks that you have to reach out. Fremantle is going through an exciting period of major urban renewal and I look forward to more good people collaborating to keep this positive change happening.
Photo: Brad Pettit. Bo Wong