Understandably, we spend a great deal of time examining and discussing critical business, employer and economic issues at federal and state level, as the peak chamber of commerce and industry.

Far too often, we find that local government issues are reduced to the classic “roads, rates and rubbish” rhetoric. This sadly demeans the critical role these statutory organisations play in our economy and the impact they can have (positively or negatively) upon our state’s business and employer sector.

In anyone’s terms, the South Australian local government sector is substantial: our 68 councils have a combined annual expenditure of about $2 billion, they manage more than $22bn of public assets and employ around 9,000 full-time equivalent employees. Broken down, that’s about $800 million in annual payroll and about another $1bn in the annual purchase of goods, services and, for example, construction materials.

That level of spending makes an enormous impact on our economy and it’s most keenly felt in regional South Australia where the relationships between local business and employment are inevitably closer because of scale.

I know from my many travels to regional South Australia, and because of our close connection to our affiliated regional chambers, that local governments in country South Australia are seen as critical partners and investors in those communities.

Therefore, it’s vital that we have business-friendly local governments which recognise their responsibility to invest into their local business communities to make it easier to grow a business and create jobs.

There are some great examples of business-friendly local governments, including Port Pirie Regional Council. That council is looking at initiatives to lease empty shop fronts and bring sole operators who work from home into sites together, working as a hub. Coming together in communal shop spaces would spruce up the main street by not having empty shops, increase foot traffic, promote small businesses and get people working and talking together.

Port Pirie has also cut several council regulations for small businesses, meaning they have less red tape, lower costs and fewer licenses to apply for. That money (and time) can now go back into those businesses to either improve services or employ more people.

Given the power and influence of local governments on our business communities as investors and regulators, it is vital that in the upcoming elections we ensure we elect representatives who support local businesses and proactively remove barriers to growth, including red tape, address unfair approval delays and ensure real value for money in the services provided.

Ask your local council nominees about their commitment to those key issues and specifically how they intend to bring prosperity to their ratepayer community by positively working to support local businesses and employers.

Finally, make sure you vote! Local government voting closes on Friday 9 November.

Nigel McBride is Business SA chief executive.

This article was originally published in the South Australian Business Journal on Tuesday 2 October 2018.