Bruce Campbell uploaded a video on his Facebook page claiming he was truly independent while others claiming they were had done deals.

Bruce Campbell uploaded a video on his Facebook page claiming he was the only true independent candidate.

Candidate Debbie Arnott hit back, saying 'wow Bruce you have certainly made a statement'. She said he should check his facts. "No deals have been done other than to offer moral support to each other," she wrote.

Ms Arnott also asked for her image to be removed from the video.

Fellow candidate Jim Burke also took issue with the post, saying he was a true independent. "You know that because we have discussed it," he wrote.

Angie Paspaliaris said if Mr Campbell was truly independent, he would stick to "running your own race as opposed to posting ill-informed accusations".

Vicki Jellie said she too was disappointed that Mr Campbell had accused other candidates of something when they didn't know the facts.

"Your comment on candidates doing deals is absolutely not true," Ms Jellie said.

Matthew Walsh also hit out at the suggestion.

"Negative judgements and assumptions such as those made in this post are exactly what we need to avoid in our new council; we need informed decision making," he wrote.

Otha Akoch suggested Mr Campbell stick to his own campaign.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr Campbell wrote another post addressing the debate.

"Any resident with a passing interest can see the groups that have formed and what they hope the election outcome will be," he wrote.

"Warrnambool has suffered through too many years of 4-3 splits on council. The tribalism and entrenched positions have caused disharmony and antagonistic factions.

"Just like you, I don't want to see this continue.

"Warrnambool does not need ongoing tribalism in its Council. I want to see individuals who will work together for the benefit of the community, a robust council chamber where debate is encouraged and consensus is reached.

"The baying for blood, lecturing and pretence of independence is unhelpful.

"I will work diligently, positively and always with the community's interests in mind with whoever voters elect. I will not work for the interests of a political party or council faction."

BEN BLAIN: I have selected all new candidates, looking at the field there are so many new and exciting candidates putting their hands up this election, I think it would be a shame to miss this opportunity. You can find preferences on my Facebook page Ben Blain - Candidate for the Ratepayers.

JACINTA ANDERSON: Honestly I dont want to preference. It's up to the voters to decide for themselves who will best represent the community. I personally believe in equality which means everyone is equal no numbers needed. Some people may think Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one.

JIM BURKE: I will preference those who I think have the capacity to be good councillors able to work cooperatively. My least preferred candidates are those who have had a go and left me in doubt as to their continuing value or their capacity to work constructively with a new team.

TRACEY TOGNI: My preferences reflect a group that l believe bring a combination of experience, support and reflect a group of people that l would like to work with. l have listed my preferences in good faith, with honesty and without political gain in mind. There are a lot of great candidates running so my preferences are only a guide.

DEBBIE ARNOTT: I have a strong alliance with Vicki Jellie and Otha Akoch who both operate with integrity and have a unique skill set that they can bring to council. I have placed the councillors that were involved with the dismissal of CEO Peter Schneider at the bottom of my preferences.

MICHAEL McCLUSKEY: I don't do preference deals. I prefer the community to choose the people whom they believe will best serve the community. There is a key question to be asked regarding the 'horse trading' that goes with preference deals. Are they done for the benefit of the community or the candidate?

ANGIE PASPALIARIS: I am preferencing new candidates highly, as I believe a fresh group of councillors will initiate a positive change in culture at the Warrnambool City Council and will help to win back the trust of our local community.

BRUCE CAMPBELL: I'm not preferencing anyone. I am the only truly independent candidate standing in this election. I'll work with whoever the voters elect. Many candidates claim independence but their social media and preferences show they have done deals. I have made no promises. I am representing the people of Warrnambool.

STEVE MOORE: My priority preferences are: Ben Blain, Angie Paspaliaris, Jim Bourke, Debbie Arnott, Max Taylor, Vikki Jellie.

RICHARD ZIEGELER: Angie Paspaliaris-Pye, Jim Burke, Vicki Jellie, Debbie Arnott, Ben Blain, Othaji Akoch, Matthew Walsh. In no particular order. Apart from a first preference for me, I think any combination of these people would be an improvement on what we've had. Lowest preferences for anyone giving high preferences to incumbents.

SUE CASSIDY: .I am not preferencing any candidates. I am independent and I will leave it to the people of Warrnambool to decide. I can work with anyone.

MICHAEL NEOH: Well-rounded candidates who are running positive campaigns as I have no doubt their positivity will benefit our City. David Owen, Tracey Togni, Otha Akoch, Sue Cassidy, Kylie Gaston, Bruce Campbell

ANTHONY EARNSHAW: I am not listing preferences. I encourage people to think about their choices when casting their vote.

KYLIE GASTON: Ideally I would like to see a new council with both experience and fresh eyes at the table. Positive constructive candidates have my preference, people who will work with high aspirations for our community.

THOMAS CAMPBELL:.Bruce Campbell, David Owen, Otha Thon Akoch, Cassandra Prigg, Jim Burke, Vicki Jellie.

CASSANDRA PRIGG: I am preferencing progressive, positive candidates. You can find my how to vote information on my Facebook page.

VICKI JELLIE: Debbie Arnott, Otha Akoch, Richard Ziegeler, Matthew Walsh, Angie Paspaliaris, Jim Burke, Lynn Hudson.

MAX TAYLOR: I am running as an independent and not preferencing anyone.

DAVID OWEN: Michael Neoh, Kylie Gaston, Tracey Togni, Sue Cassidy, Otha Akoch, Bruce Campbell. I have chosen these seven candidates because l'm confident they will work hard to achieve the very best outcomes for our city. They have a mixture of experience, youth, intelligence, a clear understanding of governance, good business sense, a strong environmental background and a clear ethical mandate.

MATTHEW WALSH:

I don't like the idea of candidates dictating to the community who they should vote for. Change is critical; it is essential that voters read up on all candidates and make an informed choice before voting for the seven people whom they feel would best represent them and the community.

LYNN HUDSON: I hope to be the first preference for voters. I don't intend to dictate where voters should place their next choices. I don't wish to be beholden to anyone. New candidates Jellie, Burke, Arnott, McCluskey, Akoch and Walsh also stand out as talented well credentialed people.

ANDREW SQUIRES: I prefer to remain Independent and impartial rather than be in an alliance. I believe that Warrnambool's community deserve to have Councillors who are elected on their own merit, and not somebody elected due to preferences only.

PETER SYCOPOULIS: To demonstrate my genuine commitment to independence, I have deliberately chosen not to recommend any preferences that would otherwise align me to any other candidate. I choose to remain independent of any other candidate or group of candidates. Warrnambool ratepayers deserve nonpartisan and informed decision makers.

OTHA AKOCH: Mostly new candidates