Civil engineer Lloyd Davies will run as Greens lead candidate for the Western Victoria region, the seventh person to declare they will be putting themselves forward for the upper house ballot.

The Queenscliff-based candidate previously ran at last year’s federal election for the ultra-marginal Corangamite electorate.

“I think Western Victoria is definitely winnable for the Greens,” Mr Davies said. “I’ve been a councillor in the Borough of Queenscliffe and believe there are so many issues at a state level that need to be addressed. Coal seam gas mining will be one of the main issues. I think there’s a lot of concern in the wider community about that issue.”

All five incumbent MPs have indicated they will recontest their seats, with Mr Davies and Country Alliance candidate Garry Kerr the only two outside challengers to declare their intention to run so far. The seven declared candidates do not have residences or offices in Warrnambool or its immediate surrounds.

Palmer United, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and Family First are also expected to seek a place on the ballot but are yet to select candidates.

DLP state secretary Michael Murphy said the preselection process for Western Victoria will be determined later this year.