LOCAL government elections are dull.
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At least, that's what I thought until this year.
Thinking about local government conjured up the image of stuffy retirees droning on about business that didn't seem to matter.
The idea of going to council meetings was about as riveting as getting home early from school as a child, flicking on ABC for cartoons and instead being greeted by Parliament question time.
Let's face it, unless it concerns you directly, who cares - right?
That seems to be the attitude of most other Launceston residents, only 13 per cent of whom had cast a vote by Friday.
I planned to join the indifferent majority this time around, just as I have for the past eight years.
I also did not vote in the latest state or federal elections.
My intentions for avoiding the state and federal popularity parades were made public on social media and they were quickly met with outrage from many of my friends.
"You have no right to complain if . . ." or "Thousands of Australians died for your right to vote" were pretty common points of feedback — they're probably correct.
Actually, they are correct.
Although I scoffed at their cries, their arguments began to play on me.
Those were very important elections, especially in light of our involvement in the Middle East and the plans to change our public welfare and education systems.
Local government is no different — in fact, I now believe they are one of the most important and highly overlooked aspects of governance in Tasmania.
They may not be discussing the purchase of new fighter jets, or debating the nation's next immigration policy, but the decisions councils make are everyone's business.
Councils are a key steering point for almost every development implemented by the state and federal bodies.
They are often responsible for conducting forums and directing community consultation about major developments or changes mooted by the upper tiers of government.
Lately we have seen councils across the North make significant changes to their planning schemes, the blueprints for the future development of our towns and suburbs.
In some ways I have more respect for those sitting around the municipal table than our state or federal politicians.
Their pay packet is not huge - the average Northern councillor earns $15,191 a year - and the time required to be a good representative is a significant commitment.
On top of that, this year's election is particularly interesting.
New all-in-all-out voting and an abundance of dramas and intriguing developments make this an ideal time to start following your council.
While I do not think voting should be compulsory, I do believe people should place more importance on their local management.
Find out what your candidates stand for and analyse their track record — a quick Google search will usually come up with their history and outside involvements.
It is not always those making the biggest publicity splash that are working the hardest for their communities.
■ Votes for local government elections must be received by 10am on Tuesday, October 28.