Keith Breheny and Rob Churchill announced their plans to run for mayor and deputy mayor in August.

Mr Churchill said it was while they were running together that they worked out that they had similar views and values about things that we happening in the region.

“We realised that we needed some big changes to go on in the council, and the only thing that we can reasonably do about it was put our hands up and try and change things,” he said.

“We’re hoping that Keith will get in as mayor and I’m hoping to get in as deputy mayor, but even if we’re both in council and we get other councillors that are like-minded we should be able to make a difference.”

Mr Churchill is a rural veterinarian, fifth-generation farmer, and small business owner.

He said growing employment opportunities in the region was critical.

“I understand the challenges small regional communities face, and the need for councils to support local businesses that are sustainable and deliver long-term career and employment opportunities,” he said. 

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“We need to encourage and foster more of the niche, high quality and innovative products already being delivered on the East Coast, whether that’s local tourism enterprises, agriculture, or wine and food industries”.

Mr Breheny has a background in local government, which included 10 years in the engineering and planning departments of Glamorgan Spring Bay.

Mr Breheny is also chair of the Swansea Courthouse Committee, president of the East Coast Community Arts Initiative, and member of the Swansea Town Hall Committee and Swansea Review Committee.a decade in the engineering and planning departments of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.

He said the council needed to deliver strategies that reflected the interests and needs of all members of the community, and to protect the long-term, renowned features of “this magnificent part of Tasmania”.

“My experience in local government has given me first hand knowledge of the workings of council and the issues facing the Glamorgan Spring Bay communities and businesses,” he said.

In his campaign for mayor, Mr Breheny will run against incumbent mayor Michael Kent.

Mr Churchill will run against incumbent councillor Jenny Woods for the deputy mayor role.

All Tasmanian local government candidates for October’s election will be officially announced at noon on Tuesday, September 25.