The council elections were postponed 12 months from September 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and then pushed back again to December 4 as the state continued to deal with lockdowns and public health orders.

On Wednesday, November 3, nominations for the local government elections closed.

There are 18 candidates vying for a seat around the Bega Valley Shire Council table.

The Bega Valley council comprises nine councillors. However, former mayor Kristy McBain stepped away from her role to contest the federal election, and another former mayor, Sharon Tapscott, left last year for family health reasons.

As well as those vacancies, current councillors Robyn Bain and Jo Dodds have not nominated again, meaning there will be at least four new faces on council by the time the polls close.

Prospective representatives include current councillors Russell Fitzpatrick, Liz Seckold, Tony Allen, Mitch Nadin and Cathy Griff.

Ms Griff heads up a Greens ticket that also includes Vivien Harris, Paula Park, Angus Ashcroft and Peter Haggar.

Labor is also running a group ticket for the first time, with Helen O'Neil and Simon Daly.

Independents in the running are (in no particular order) Karen Wright, David Porter, Joshua Shoobridge, Joy Robin, Nathan O'Donnell, Neil Bourke and Mike Britten.

The ballot draw is to take place at 10am Thursday, November 4, at the Bega Returning Office, where both Bega Valley and Eurobodalla ballots will be compiled.