Maybe I missed the council meeting where fixing potholes, maintaining roads, managing waste and delivering local services was quietly replaced with hosting car expos.

Because that’s exactly what appears to be happening.

Lake Macquarie Council is promoting a “free” Community EV Open Day, complete with vehicle displays, test rides, industry experts, charging demonstrations and information sessions designed to encourage electric vehicle ownership. The council has openly stated that these events are intended to showcase the benefits of EV ownership and help drive adoption of the technology. (The National Tribune)

Now before the usual critics start foaming at the mouth, this isn’t about whether electric vehicles are good or bad.

Buy one if you want one.

Drive a petrol car if you want.

Drive a diesel ute, a hybrid, a motorbike or ride a horse for all I care.

The real question is much simpler.

Why is a local council spending ratepayer money promoting a particular type of vehicle in the first place?

When residents pay their rates, most assume that money is going towards local government responsibilities.

Roads.

Footpaths.

Drainage.

Parks.

Sporting facilities.

Libraries.

Community safety initiatives.

The basics.

Yet increasingly councils seem determined to act as social engineers, marketing agencies and advocacy organisations rather than local governments.

And let’s stop calling these events “free”.

Nothing funded by taxpayers or ratepayers is free.

Someone pays.

Every Facebook advertisement, every staff member involved in planning, every council vehicle on display, every piece of promotional material and every hour spent organising these events is ultimately funded by the people who pay rates.

Again, if a private company wants to hold an EV showcase, fantastic.

If car manufacturers want to spend millions convincing Australians to buy their products, that’s their business.

If environmental groups want to advocate for electric vehicles, they’re entitled to do so.

But why is local government inserting itself into what is essentially a consumer purchasing decision?

Because that’s what this is.

Council isn’t teaching residents how to report potholes.

Council isn’t showing residents how to access community services.

Council is helping promote a product category and encouraging people to consider purchasing it.

And once you accept that principle, where does it end?

Will councils host “Heat Pump Open Days”?

“Induction Cooktop Awareness Weeks”?

“Smart washing machine Expos”?

At what point do councils stop being service providers and start becoming lifestyle consultants?

Meanwhile, residents continue to complain about roads, traffic congestion, infrastructure backlogs and rising rates.

Many families are struggling with the cost of living.

Businesses are facing higher operating costs.

Yet councils somehow always seem able to find time and resources for projects that sit well outside what most people would consider core local government business.

The issue isn’t electric vehicles.

The issue is priorities.

Because every dollar spent promoting a political, environmental or lifestyle objective is a dollar that cannot be spent elsewhere.

And ratepayers are entitled to ask a simple question:

If councils are constantly telling us there’s not enough money for essential services, why is there always enough money for things like this?