Diverse mix of candidates throw hats into the ring

An eclectic mix of candidates - from a former Labor MP to a past mayor and a former professional comedian - will contest the City of Albany's six wards in this year's local government election.

At the close of nominations last Thursday, there was a healthy list of 21 candidate nominations - 19 vying for a role on the council and two for the position of mayor.

There are some familiar faces in the mix in the form of former councillor and mayor Milton Evans, who served in the City's top job for four years until he lost the title to Dennis Wellington at the 2011 election.

Also putting his hand up for election is former councillor Mervyn Leavesley, who was elected to the council in 2009, but resigned in 2011 for medical reasons which he says have been resolved.

The Frederickstown ward was unattested, meaning deputy mayor Greg Stocks automatically retained his seat on the council.

Yakamia ward's Cr Alan Hortin will contest his seat against Dermot Buckley, Max Chester and Anthony Moir, while West ward's Cr Gerry Gregson will go up against Ili Taoi and Sandie Smith.

Kalgan ward's Cr Bill Hollingworth, who was elected at an extraordinary election last year after the resignation of Yvonne Attwell, is seeking a second term against Mr Leavesley and Geoffrey Fairclough.

Former Labor Agriculture Region MLC Matt Benson-Lidholm has nominated for the Vancouver ward along with John Shanhun and Kouros Majidi.

Comedian and Miles Franklin short-listed author Jon Doust has nominated for the Breaksea ward as well as Paul Terry, Val Green and John Gates.

WA Electoral Commission commissioner David Kerslake said there had been a big increase in nominations across WA compared to the last local government election, with 1021 councillor and mayoral nominations received for 449 vacancies.

Polls for the 2015 local government election will open at 8am on October 17.

CITY OF ALBANY 2015 ORDINARY ELECTION BALLOT

MAYORAL

Neil Smithson

Dennis Wellington

BREAKSEA WARD

Paul Terry

Milton Evans

Val Green

Jon Doust

John Gates

FREDERICKSTOWN WARD

Greg Stocks (elected unopposed)

KALGAN WARD

Geoffrey Fairclough

Mervyn Leavesley

Bill Hollingworth

VANCOUVER WARD

Kouros Majidi

Matt Benson-Lidholm

John Shanhun

WEST WARD

Gerry Gregson

Illi Taoi

Sandie Smith

YAKAMIA WARD

Dermot Buckley

Max Chester

Alan Hortin

Anthony Moir