The adage that is often thrown about is that the council’s role is to worry about rates, roads and rubbish.

However, councils have a much more complex role to play in the way cities, towns and regions evolve.

A survey conducted by The Examiner for the top issues that would affect Launceston voters at the October poll showed that only one of those issues made the top three.

The only one of those issues to rate was roads, which came in at third place, with 32 per cent of the vote.

The surprising number one issue for Launceston was tourism, with an overwhelming 54.2 per cent of the vote.

The poll had 131 responses, which listed the top 10 issues that would influence a vote in the upcoming elections.

The results show that the role of the council is evolving to one that is more about the future of a city or region, than just one that deals with the minutiae of life within those communities.

While those minutiae are undoubtedly still important, and integral to ensuring a community can function efficiently, it is great to see that voters and ratepayers see councils as having a role to play in the advocacy for their region.

These results highlight why it is important to vote in the upcoming elections, if you want to see genuine change.

Voting in a poll is one thing, but the only way to truly see results is through action, and taking an active role in the future of your community.

That is why The Examiner is taking a role in bringing those issues to the attention of readers, and making sure they are brought to the attention of all of the local government candidates.

It is through partnerships, such as the one with the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, which will help shine a light on the issues that really matter to voters.

Wednesday night’s mayoral forum is a great example of that; to allow ratepayers access to those who will lead Launceston, and all of our other regions, to the next phase of their future.