They'll be at least three new faces on Cowra Shire Council after September's Local Government elections with former mayor Bill West, former deputy mayor Judi Smith and councillor Sharon D'Elboux all indicating they will not re-stand.

Cowra's remaining six Council members have all told the Cowra Guardian they will be running again when ratepayers go to the polls on September 14.

Cr West has served 25 years.

"I have been on Council for 16 years, I have loved it and will miss it, but it's time for new people and new ideas," Cr Judi Smith said of her decision not to re-stand.

Cr Sharon D'Elboux will have served for a term of three years.

Councillors Nikki Kiss and Cheryl Downing have confirmed they will be running for re-election, along with current deputy mayor Cr Paul Smith.

Cr Downing said "I have enjoyed my experience being a community representative, it is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I found the challenge engaging, I would love to continue".

"If re-elected I intend to continue on the same path of bringing community needs to Council's attention in the chamber.

"I would hope to work with new councillors to back a proactive and progressive attitude to all the things the council does and encourage the community to have a positive attitude. Cowra is a great place," she said.

Cr Paul Smith says he has work he's not yet finished, and wants to focus on keeping water rates low, as well as warning that broader economic circumstances need to force Council to focus on what he says are its core responsibilities.

"I am standing, yes. I believe I've got unfinished business. There's more I can do that I haven't. I promised people I'd be able to get water prices down and haven't been able to do that. I'd like to think I could keep them as low as possible; I'm enjoying what I do and there's more I wanted to do yet," he said.

"The biggest challenge we're going to have is future finances. With inflation running higher than rate pegging, it's going to put pressures on the council. And I think we've got to be very careful as to where we spend money. We have got to maintain our basics: our roads, water, sewerage, garbage, that sort of thing. To do that, we might have to look at where we might have to save money elsewhere."

Mayor Ruth Fagan is also standing again, and says she wants to continue the current team's "strong planning and responsible financial management" and maintain stability.

"My main objective is to have a serious discussion with the State Government about a new mid-level bridge crossing and plans for a future bypass. This has been on Council's agenda for many years but I am determined to have it included in NSW's future road plans," she said.

"Nothing can be achieved by councillors alone and it is important we also have a good management team which makes well informed decisions within the resources we have available."

During Mayor Fagan's sixteen years of service, she says "There has been a great deal of progress with the town's community facilities such the Adventure Playground, Civic Centre, new housing and increased manufacturing businesses. Council facilities have also improved with a new sewer treatment plant, roads, bridges and upgraded water utilities."

"Council has developed a comprehensive and detailed plan for the future which includes the new bridge as well as walking tracks, refurbished parks, upgraded Council depot and a waste management plan. These are long term plans but every year the Council strives to tick off a few more of these ideas to make Cowra, a community of which we can be proud."

Councillor Peter Wright says he too is standing again, having first joined Council in 2008 on the basis of planning reform in agriculture and transparency.

In his sixteen years as a councillor he says he brings his 50 years of farming to bolster a unique representation of the agricultural sector to Council.

"I feel the council needs a variety of councillors to have a balanced view of the shire. My interest is rural, which provides 48% of general rates. However, I understand and support residential and industrial growth for the shire to thrive."

Seeking his fifth term on Council, Cr Wright said he expected water and recycling to be issues into the future, with ageing infrastructure due for replacement.

"Issues facing the council include financial capability to deliver services to the shire without significant rate rises. Council is a business that sets the rates & ratepayers have little negotiation to reduce their charges. Therefore, we need to impress on the state & federal government that they need to support the local government to ensure communities can grow."

Also re-standing is Cr Erin Watt, who wants to focus on enacting the Reconciliation Action Plan, as well as work on adapting the council's planning policies to.

"I think planning policy is something I wanted to tackle after the election. This council and other councils have struggled with decisions around planning not being suitable for their community needs, or having to get around their planning policies. It'll be a really big piece of work."

Cr Watt says she also wants to continue to make the town more inviting for visitors and families.

"It's a real opportunity to help the community you live in, and leave a lasting legacy. It's important to have a lot of different voices in the room. I think for a long time it's been quite similar. This council has seen a fair bit of change; six women have been elected, three of whom have kids at home and I think it makes a real difference."

She said aspirants should not be deterred if they felt their background wasn't what they might assume is a local government fit.

Residents considering nominating as candidates for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections should read the candidate information page on the NSW Electoral Commission site.