The Invercargill community is being asked what they think are the most important issues facing the city for the next three years, in the lead-up to local government elections later this year.

Candidate nominations for the elections, including Invercargill City Council and Bluff Community Board, open this Friday 15 July.

The pre-election report has been released, which is designed to give a thorough overview of the current state of play for the city and highlights the key issues facing the council and community in the next three years.

Council Chief Executive Clare Hadley said the pre-election report highlighted to candidates and voters the key issues to consider when deciding to stand for Council or when choosing how to vote for elected representatives.

“It means that firstly candidates can make the decision to stand with all of the information, fully aware of the state of play. Secondly, it gives our community an opportunity to make known what they think the big issues are and what they would like to see tackled by our Council,” Hadley said.

Information ranging from council services and financial data, Three Waters Reform, Council’s Roadmap to Renewal and the work towards building He Ngākau Aroha – A City With Heart is covered in the document.

Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said the opening of nominations on July 15 signalled a busy, exciting and important time for the community. “This is when the wheels of democracy start to turn and people who are interested in local decision-making and serving their community stand up to be counted,” he said.

There is a lot of crucial information about what is needed in order to be nominated, which is all available in the pre-election report as well as on the Council webpage and the Vote Murihiku Facebook page, he said.

“Democracy only works when people engage and have their say. Council and our cross-council colleagues via Vote Murihiku are trying to make engaging in local democracy as easy as possible this year and we hope as many people as possible take the time to take part.”

For more information elections visit icc.govt.nz/elections and to have your say on the big issues visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz/election-2022