Deputy mayor Cr Ruth Gstrein, Cr Jo Beard and new-comer Cr Geraldine Conheady will run in the October 24 election. Mayor Cr Neil Trotter, Cr Lesley Brown, Cr Simon Illingworth and Cr Helen Durant will step down.

READ MORE:

Cr Gstrein said she would have liked to see elections deferred.

"I'm a little bit concerned with the pandemic issue and I'm disappointed that a deferral didn't happen, even for a short period of time to allow people to campaign safely," she said.

"But there are safety guidelines that the department has put out to advise people on what they can and can't do, so I think everyone can carefully socially distance while they are campaigning.

"New mandatory training has come in under the local government act and I think education is never wasted, I think if someone is serious about running for council they won't have problems with it."

Ms Gstrein's focus if re-elected will be on supporting community groups and businesses impacted by COVID-19, as well as advocating for better roads.

"The economic development and the future of our shire and what that's going to look like I think will be very different," she said.

"The arterial road network is still in shocking condition so I will continue to strongly advocate to have particularly dangerous roads improved."

Cr Beard said campaigning would be difficult under stage three restrictions, but everyone would be on a level playing field.

"I'm comfortable to have these elections, we're different in small regional and rural areas and I'm comfortable with the fact that people know me well enough now I can manage a campaign under restrictions," she said.

"I'll have to adapt to the times, which is no different to anybody else, to a degree online meetings and interactions have become second nature now.

"There will be a big turnover this election but I think it's important previous councillors be there for continuity. There's a lot of history and many projects that I think it's important for current councillors see through.

"We have an incredible culture at council and I think it's important to protect that, which is another benefit of having current councillors in the next term."

Cr Beard joined council nine years ago, and said the job had grown more complicated over the years.

Her focus going into the next four years would be on rebuilding the shire after the pandemic.

"I think when I went into council nine years ago I hardly had any knowledge of how council operated, it's a lot more complex now and there's a lot more accountability," she said.

"There's tough times ahead but you don't put all that in just to walk away."

Cr Geraldine Conheady said she agreed with arguments for and against holding the general council elections during the pandemic.

"I think there were good arguments on both sides about whether it ought to go ahead," she said.

"Either way I think there's difficulties, I think we have to work with the decision that's been made and run with it."

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Booletin and Beyond:

Good news story? Let us know!

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.