Mr Purcell, a former Western Victoria MP, said he was considering standing in October's elections.

"I had never intended to stand but if I believe I can do some good then I will consider it," Mr Purcell said.

"The main reason would be that from my time in state parliament I have a lot of contacts that could benefit the community. I am already working with some big local businesses and setting up meetings with ministers for them so they can put their case forward for plans they have for the future."

Cr Purcell said this wider reach from his time in Spring Street could be valuable to Moyne ratepayers.

"This council election will be more important than any that have come before," Mr Purcell said.

"When we get out of the pandemic, councils will need to do things they haven't had to before to help the community and businesses get back on their feet.

"Money will be short and councils will be screaming for funding and those that don't work hard enough to lobby for that money will miss out. The role councillors will play in this will be 100 times more important than any time before."

Mr Purcell was an independent upper house member from 2014-18. He was among a handful of MPs who held the balance of power. He was a Moyne councillor from 2008-14 and mayor in 2010 and 2014.

Before that he was Moyne's director of business and tourism.

The Moyne Shire election is shaping as a hotly contested affair with five of the seven sitting councillors putting their hands up to run again.

Jordan Lockett, Jim Doukas, Colin Ryan, Ian Smith and current mayor Daniel Meade have stated their intention to run.

Two of Moyne's longest serving councillors, Jill Parker and Mick Wolfe, will not contest the election, ending a 12-year reign for both.

A number of new candidates have entered the race, including Karen Foster, Damian Gleeson, Genevieve Grant and Penny Iddon.