You Don’t Have to Stand for Council to Stand Up

Someone recently commented on one of my posts, suggesting that if I’m going to be critical of Council, I should “stand for Council”.

It’s a common reflex  and I get it. This post explains why that line of thinking doesn’t land with me.

Firstly, informed criticism is part of civic life. It’s how systems improve. It’s how communities stay engaged. It’s how people know they’re not alone when they have concerns.

I’ve spent time reporting on Kiama Council and local government. I’ve done the policy reading, watched the meetings, interviewed councillors, and watched how bureaucracy works and sadly too often it doesn’t. That experience matters. So does yours.

In Jamberoo we already have a councillor who represents our community and advocates for us at every turn. They don’t need to carry the burden alone. What they need is a community that has their back. A community that speaks up, stays informed, and lets Council know that when our representative lobbies for us, it’s because they’re listening to us.

Not everyone needs to sit behind the Council desk. Some of us are researchers. Writers. Listeners. Connectors. Watchdogs. Builders. Carers. The strength of a community lies in its diverse roles, not a single title.

This is what real democracy looks like, not just voting once every few years, but showing up in between. It’s not urban rage. It’s urban democracy. And it’s not about shouting the loudest, it’s about feeling confident that your voice matters.

And here’s the truth: when people are shut down, told they’re too negative, too vocal, too persistent, what they’re often being told is that their discomfort makes power uncomfortable. That’s not a reason to stop. That’s a reason to keep going.

I wont be standing for Council. I am and always will stand for  community.
And I’m standing with everyone else who knows that the health of a local democracy depends on all of us using the tools we have, to speak, to share, to question, to care.

#UrbanDemocracy #CivicVoice #LocalLeadership #CommunityMatters #ParticipatoryDemocracy #SpeakUpKiama #AccountableCouncil #PowerOfThePeople #DemocracyBetweenElections #CollaborativeChange

Author: Lynne Strong

I am a community advocate, storyteller and lifelong collaborator with a deep commitment to strengthening local democracy and amplifying regional voices. With roots in farming and decades of experience leading national initiatives like Action4Agriculture, I’ve dedicated my life to empowering the next generation and creating platforms where people feel seen, heard and valued. I believe in courage, kindness and the power of communities working together to shape their own future. These days, you’ll find me diving deep into the role of local media and civic engagement to explore how regional communities around the world are reclaiming their voice. View all posts by Lynne Strong