Farmers' urged to make their voices heard at local elections

With local authority elections less than six months away, Federated Farmers is urging farmers to get engaged and involved.

Federated Farmers spokesperson on local government, Katie Milne, says local government elections is vitally important for farming on many levels, and is encouraging farmers to make their voices heard.

"It is absolutely crucial that farmers get involved in holding their councils to account. This includes being engaged on the issues and when the time comes make an informed vote.

"It’s also important that we get good candidates, including farmers and other business-minded people, to stand for election," she says.

"It’s a challenging role but farmers can make a real difference on councils as it enables them to inform and educate their colleagues about what happens on-farm - which is crucial for getting sensible, workable outcomes."

Ms Milne says that the way local government is funded, through property value based rates, has a big impact on farms financial viability.

"The average farm now pays well over $10,000 per year in rates and rates are often in the top half dozen farm expenses. As a fixed cost there is no way for farms to cut back, short of selling up, during downturns like the current one in the dairy industry," she says.

Ms Milne says that one of the most important council functions is to manage natural resources, including water, land and air.

"The development and implementation of regional plans and policies can and does have huge impacts on the way farms are run."

"Farmers are also exposed to other council regulation like building and dog control - and bylaws for things like stock crossings and stock movement across and along roads.

"Councils also provide infrastructure and services of value for farmers and for the rest of the community. Roads are especially important for farms," she says.

For those interested in putting themselves forward, Local Government NZ has put out a guide for candidates. It has also launched acampaign to boost flagging voter turnout.

Federated Farmers will also be producing a Local Elections Manifesto on the key issues farmers and candidates should be thinking about.

"So farmers, it’s time get involved and get interested - make sure you don’t leave it too late!" says Ms Milne.

ENDS

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