Tamworth Regional Council has released a list of its 10 “most pressing and important” funding priorities ahead of the March 28 ballot.

Topping the wish list is $4.25 million in state government funding towards the development of a $17 million “mini-Institute of Sport” in the Longyard precinct.

Two months out from polling day there are three confirmed candidates for Tamworth: Kevin Anderson (Nationals), Peter Draper (independent) and Joe Hillard (Labor).

Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the list was drawn from projects contained in the council’s various strategic and infrastructure plans.

He said while the council was remaining “apolitical” and would not get “overly involved” in the election, it would speak to each of the candidates about the projects.

“This is the best opportunity we have in any four-year cycle to leverage funding,” he said.

“We certainly want to give them some direction as to where we believe those community priorities are.”

Mr Draper, who was ousted by Mr Anderson in 2011, said that if elected, his status as an independent would not harm his chances of obtaining funding.

“You have to take each project on its merits to the relevant minister, and with the community’s support and council’s support you can win a hell of a lot of battles,” he said.

“Kevin has got a substantial margin, so when you’ve got substantial margins you have to really battle to get things, and I’m afraid he’s not a very good battler.”

Mr Anderson said he had already put an “enormous amount of work” into many of the projects the council had identified during his first term.

“Over the last four years, the strong foundations that I’ve laid for relationships with those councils has already achieved significant outcomes for our community,” he said.

“We’ve seen significant investment ... on the back of regional mayors and myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder and fighting for that infrastructure funding in our region.”

Labor candidate Joe Hillard said the mere length of the wish list was an indication The Nationals – at both state and federal level – had “failed to deliver for the Tamworth area”.

Tamworth Regional Council’s election wish list:

1) $4.25 million for development of Northern Inland Centre of Excellence

2) $7 million to upgrade airport, if BAE secures Flight Training School contract

3) Commitment to undertake comprehensive review of water pricing across NSW

4) Funding for a Tamworth intermodal rail freight terminal at Glen Artney

5) Money for duplication of Manilla Rd between Tribe St and Jewry St

6) Grant to refurbish one of Tamworth’s outdoor pools

7) Funding to upgrade and seal Appleby Ln

8) Funding for airport modifications to accommodate second Sydney air service

9) Upgrade and seal Rangari Rd to create safe link between Manilla and Boggabri

10) Funding to develop outdoor arenas and associated facilities at AELEC