With years of experience behind the scenes in local government, Tamworth election candidate Brooke Southwell is ready to step into the driver's seat.

With youth on her side, Ms Southwell plans to bring diversity to the council chambers with a focus on economic development, tourism and community engagement.

"The thing you learn in those types of roles [local government] is that unless you're actually elected, you're not really driving the region," she said.

"You're implementing what the elected representatives want, I want to actually be a part of the decision-making."

A mother to three girls, Ms Southwell said she brings a different lens to the region's issues; one that will better serve families and forward-plan for the younger generation.

"I think we need to make sure we are planning things as a regional area and looking at things for families," she said.

"People move away for a range of reasons, work, medical, education for their kids, so if we build and grow on those things people shouldn't have to move away."

With plenty of experience in stakeholder engagement, Ms Southwell said she wants to open a better line of communication between the council and the community.

She is particularly focused on making discussions less Tamworth-centric and encompassing the entire region, from Nundle to Barraba, Manilla and beyond.

"I definitely will be keeping them in mind if I am elected," she said.

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Driving tourism outside of the Tamworth Country Music Festival is another avenue Ms Southwell wants to explore, arguing the region has so much untapped potential that could draw in tourist dollars.

Asked to bring an item of significance along, Ms Southwell chose an artwork of her family.

"This is my husband and I and our three girls, I'd like to be a role model for them - I'm always telling them to try something new, don't be a afraid and it doesn't matter if it doesn't work out, as long as you try your best," she said.

"In standing for council it's really about showing them that you can have a go, put your hand up, it doesn't matter if you're not an older male you can still have a go and try.

"Families are important to me and that's one of the main messages in my campaign to be an advocate for families."

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