Your purpose as a local government councillor
Being a local government councillor is a role like no other. You are elected to lead, represent, and make decisions on behalf of your community. As a civic leader, you hold the responsibility of shaping the everyday lives of the people in your local area. For many councillors, the drive to make a difference or give back is what fuels their initial motivation to run for office. And this can remain a powerful motivator through the term.
However, once you’re elected, that clarity can start to fade. Amid a flurry of council meetings, development applications, overflowing inboxes, and rising community expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of your original purpose. Compromise, pressure, and the slow pace of change can gradually wear you down. You may begin to feel that your personal mission is being watered down in the strategic planning process or that you’re constantly reacting to emails and requests without a clear sense of direction.
This is where purpose matters. As John Kennedy said "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."
Your purpose is your north star. It helps guide your decision-making, sustain your motivation, and keep you focused on what truly matters. A clearly defined purpose, and importantly one that aligns with your civic responsibilities and the broader role of council, is essential to stay grounded, effective, and well throughout your term in office.
Councillor A was elected to her local council after years of community advocacy in her coastal town. Her purpose was crystal clear: to ensure that all voices especially those of young people and First Nations residents were heard in council decisions.
She ran because she saw how decisions were made without the people most affected in the room. And she wanted to change it.
From day one, Councillor A brought this purpose into her work. She championed inclusive consultation processes, helped establish a youth advisory committee, and worked tirelessly to embed cultural protocols in council meetings.
Her sense of purpose kept her grounded during difficult moments. For example, when meetings became heated, when projects stalled, or when she was the lone vote against a popular motion. Instead of burning out, Councillor A found energy in the relationships she was building and the gradual shift in culture she could see taking place about the way the community was involved in decision making.
Other councillors noticed that she was a champion for community involvement, often commented on her consistency and drive, and looked to her as a leader in this space.
Councillor B decided to run for council after a few frustrations with parking and rates. He thought it might be a good way to “keep an eye on things” and have some influence.
After being elected, he found the role more complex than expected. The policy papers were long, the public expectations high, and the meetings often felt like a blur of acronyms and procedural rules.
Without a clear purpose or personal connection to the work, Councillor B found it hard to prioritise. He bounced between issues based on what people complained about most that week. He voted with the majority to avoid conflict, rarely spoke in debate, and often left meetings feeling flat.
When asked why he ran, he struggled to answer beyond vague responses like, “I just thought I could help.” Without an internal compass, Councillor B became reactive, disengaged, and eventually stopped attending community events altogether. By his second year, he was questioning whether he should have run at all.
When you first ran for council, chances are you were driven by something deeply personal. Maybe it was about representing the unheard voices in your community like Councillor A. Creating better infrastructure in your local town. Taking more action on climate change. Supporting small businesses. Or giving back to the place that raised you.
That spark – that purpose – is your compass. It grounds your decision-making. It shapes how you show up. It helps you navigate difficult debates and weigh competing interests.
The trick is to integrate your personal passions into a clearly defined purpose for your civic role.
Next, ask yourself the following questions:
If you're new to the role, these questions can help anchor you through the learning curve and complexity ahead. If you're in your second or third term, they can re-energise you and sharpen your focus.
Next, check that your purpose as an elected leader aligns with the "why" of local government and the principles that guide local councils (Hint! The answer is in the
legislation, and a council's purpose is to create current strong, healthy and prosperous communities).
This means understanding how your individual purpose fits into the role of the councillor, the purpose of the council body and the broader responsibilities of council.
Consider how aligned your priorities are with your Council’s Community Strategic Plan and reflect on how you can integrate your purpose with this Plan.
When your purpose integrates into the broader systems of local government you can more effectively drive the impact you desire. Having a clearly defined purpose in your role as a councillor that respects the system you are working in, you are able to keep sight of the bigger picture – the broader impacts of the council decisions, rather than becoming bogged down in day-to-day tasks and politicking.
Local government isn’t easy. The role is demanding. The scrutiny can be intense. The change is often slow. We've seen many a passionate and purposeful councillor become frustrated and burnt-out, feeling like their efforts are in vain. Especially when their personal mission and plans are not clearly aligned with council's functions and operations.
Staying connected to your purpose is a powerful way to fuel your motivation and is a proven antidote to burnout and disillusionment.
On a regular basis, ask yourself: Am I clear about why I’m here and what I’m doing?
If the answer is yes – wonderful. Now ask yourself, Am I effectively aligning this with the broader purpose of council?
If the answer is unclear – that’s not a failure. It’s an invitation. To reflect, recalibrate, and return to the core of what brought you here in the first place.
Our
Locale Leaders Accelerator Program includes an in-depth module helping councillors to define their purpose and understand how they can effectively lead with purpose within the council body to effect change.
Meet Emma, Cinnamon and Anna - who will support you in the Locale Leaders program.
We’re passionate about helping elected leaders lead ethically, mindfully and effectively for their communities. Together we bring decades of experience in the local government and health industries, a stack of credentials plus a whole lot of heart!
Importantly, we care deeply about your success as a local councillor.
Invest in your leadership today and secure your spot in the
Locale Leaders program at the early bird price of $2,950 (+GST). After 1 June, the price increases to $3,500.
Need flexibility? You can opt for part-payment this financial year to take advantage of council professional development budgets.
Spots are limited, so don’t wait!
