The Standard has asked the 24 candidates seeking election for their stance on some of the city's big issues.

The first issue was their preferences. See here. A war of words has since broken out on preferences.

The second was whether general business should be returned to council meetings.

The third was what vision they had for the city's harbour.

Candidates were allowed 50-word responses.

Candidates have been listed in the order they appear on the ballot paper.

Here's a link to profiles on all candidates.

BEN BLAIN: I don't want to see the council break the rate cap again in 2022 as is currently proposed. I believe the council should be looking at freezing rates to offer relief to every ratepayer in Warrnambool.

JACINTA ANDERSON: No, I will not vote for rate increases. If elected I will be volunteering to work with no pay as I believe it's a councillor's job to serve the community, not for financial gain. The community and ratepayers should be the main priority not money.

JIM BURKE: No. These caps were put in place to force councils to live within their means. I think the community is reassured by this and sees excessive rate rises as a reflection on the council's performance.

TRACEY TOGNI: I don't believe I would. I don't want to pay any more rates than the next person. I would like to know more. I don't know enough to make an informed decision. I would like to look at why businesses pay for rubbish collections but don't have it collected.

DEBBIE ARNOTT: Absolutely not. We need to protect our local business who have suffered due to COVID - 19. We need to create a sustainable council that can operate within the rate cap. We need to look after our community by making smart decisions on spending and operate within our budget.

MICHAEL McCLUSKEY: Definitely not. Council is already proposing increasing rates by 80% above the 'Fair Go' recommended rate cap figure in the next financial year. Rather than draining the pockets of struggling ratepayers especially given coronavirus impacts, increasing efficiency and eliminating waste at council level is a far wiser and fairer approach.

ANGIE PASPALIARIS: I will not be voting for rate increases above the rate cap - ratepayers and traders are already paying more than enough. In addition, providing ratepayers with value for money is something I plan to focus on.

BRUCE CAMPBELL: I don't support rate increases. We need smart and effective action that supports business and community recovery from COVID. We must work collectively on agreed priorities and secure external funding to provide value for residents because the need is so great but the capacity to pay is less.

STEVE MOORE: I will not vote for a rate increase above the rate cap and I would also like to see rates for 2021/22 not increase to assist the community in the recovery from COVID-19.

RICHARD ZIEGELER: I will vote against rate increases above the rate cap. I will argue for rate relief for cases of genuine hardship and no rate deals or favouritism for developers without a genuine trade-off for all other ratepayers. E.g. green-space allowance and tree plantings and contributions to the community.

SUE CASSIDY: Let me be clear, I did not vote on the rate rise last time as I was overseas at that time. My decision will depend on council's financial position at the time as well as the community's aspirations.

MICHAEL NEOH: This should not be answered until we get the full budget position, understanding of the short, medium and long-term impact of COVID and confirmation of whether our state and federal grants will continue. These factors will become clearer closer to the end of the first quarter of 2021.

ANTHONY EARNSHAW: No one knows what the impacts of the unprecedented health and economic environment will have on council income and grants received in the future. I believe we should not simply keep increasing rates above the rate cap. Some community aspirations/projects may have to be pushed back.

KYLIE GASTON: That will depend completely on the circumstances at the time. If re-elected I will advocate for increasing pensioner rebates on rates and utilities.

THOMAS CAMPBELL: Increased transparency and communication are vital. If spending $1 on infrastructure today saves us $10 in future, that is responsible. All efforts should be made to limit increases above the cap, and there are savings that can be found, but making that commitment without all relevant information would be irresponsible.

CASSANDRA PRIGG: Council needs to find a balance between providing services that residents expect and deserve without placing undue financial stress on ratepayers.

VICKI JELLIE: I will consider various options to save funds so this should not have to occur. These could be looking at staffing levels, tighten budgetary planning, review WCC tenancies, seek operational efficiencies and review every contract before it is allocated. Ensuring Warrnambool City Council lives within our means.

MAX TAYLOR: I would not vote for rate increases above the rate cap.

DAVID OWEN: I am against a rate increase above the rate cap. Our community is in a very difficult financial place with Covid creating high unemployment and a deflated tourist industry and a business sector requiring a boost. But it will be important to stay ahead of a growing asset gap.

MATTHEW WALSH: No, I will be reviewing internal efficiencies to reduce expenditure and stay within budget. Anything not achievable within the current year can be tabled for future projects. I will also be putting forward a motion that the already approved increase is not enacted.

LYNN HUDSON: No.

ANDREW SQUIRES: No, I will not be voting for rates to be increased above the cap unless there is significant supportive debatable evidence. Considering the current council has already increased above the capped rate by a further 2%, I would indicate to freeze the current rates for two years.

PETER SYCOPOULIS: I was pleased when the state government introduced rate capping some years ago. I always advocated that council should not increase rates above consumer price index (CPI) in every year that I was on council. Unless something drastic happens in the meantime, I see no reason to think otherwise.

OTHA AKOCH: At this time, I will say no. Like any business, the city needs to be managed within its means. I believe that under the right leadership and management, Warrnambool City can stop increasing rates above the state cap.