MANILLA man Jim Maxwell says he is standing for the region's smaller communities, as the local government elections kick into gear.
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Mr Maxwell is no stranger to local politics, serving on the former Manilla council for 16 years, including six years as mayor.
The candidate admitted it would be an uphill battle to secure a spot on Tamworth Regional Council (TRC).
"We think we need everyone from Barraba and Manilla to vote for one person, just to get in," Mr Maxwell told The Leader.
The latest tilt at council from Mr Maxwell has been in the works for some time, saying he made up his mind about 18 months ago.
"The main reason is the need for better community representation in the smaller communities," he said.
"The majority of the current councillors live in and around Tamworth."
Mr Maxwell said the current council “do a fantastic job”, but said there's small things the shire's northern residents miss out on.
"There's no information centre at Barraba, as a caravaner, I know how important that is," he said.
"We also want to see the Split Rock wall area reopened."
Mr Maxwell said he wouldn't promise the world and there were at least four other votes needed to achieve things with council.
The Manilla candidate said the perception of TRC could get pretty negative in the community and suggested the recent round of council amalgamations may have opened some old wounds in the former shire.
"The tyranny of distance does make it hard and I don't blame the current council," Mr Maxwell said.
"We were getting to the point where we realised it was here to stay, then it looked like it could get bigger still.
"So it brought it to the front of mind."
Manilla, Nundle, Barraba, Parry and Tamworth City councils were amalgamated in 2004.
Nominations for council are open until August 10.