Have you ever wondered why some potholes on Hawkesbury roads get fixed quickly while others linger for ages? Or why has the Council just not approved and moved forward on the Richmond Bridge or specific DAs? You may be a young, first-time voter wondering why Council elections matter.

The answers lie in understanding Australia's three levels of government—who's responsible for what, what we can reasonably expect from our councillors, and why it's important to have your say. 

With a council election coming up on 14 September, it's worth knowing how to manage your expectations of what councillors can feasibly deliver and how to understand when candidates promise things they will never be able to deliver because they are beyond their remit. 

The Three Tiers of Government

Australia's government structure is designed to be a well-coordinated team, each tier having specific roles yet working together for the greater good.