No stranger to government, Mr Grace worked as a senior officer in the Eurobodalla Shire Council between 1988 and 1994.

His resume also includes work in federal and state government departments, in the not-for-profit sector and small business.

But it's his first-hand experiences with unemployment, homelessness and disability he says will be invaluable if elected to council.

"I understand the issues very strongly, because I experienced them myself," he says.

"I know what it feels like."

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When his three children were young, Mr Grace experienced a period of homelessness.

He still volunteers in the sector to assist others who find themselves in the same situation.

"One of the biggest problems we have [in the Eurobodalla Shire] is an unaffordable housing market. We've got people who are on what would be considered quite a good wage but they can't afford to live here," he says.

"That is a major problem and we need to change it."

When Mr Grace last worked in council he established the Community Services Division, focussed on delivering services for the elderly, and people with disabilities.

"I learned how council can use persuasion power to organize the community," he said.

"At the time we secured funding for social housing in Moruya and the council actually sponsored that and built that, so I know it can be done."

Of the seven candidate groups in the upcoming election, just two are officially party-aligned with the rest running as independents.

Mr Grace said his prior experience working in council was part of the reason why his team decided to align with the Labor party.

"I realised if we're going to get change, we need to have the collective voice a party gives us," he says.

"We have to be able to easily access the politicians in Canberra and Sydney to get the things we need here, which joining the party allows.

"I have a voice because I've joined the party and I'll use that voice in the council. Being an independent isn't the best way of serving this community."

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Mr Grace has owned and managed a retail plant nursery in Broulee, a music and electronics store in Batemans Bay and a florist in Moruya.

While he understands the unique challenges faced by shire business owners, he says being a councillor is not like running a business.

"What you need in council is patience, an ability to balance points of view, an ability to recognise it might not be the solution I personally want, but it's the solution that is most likely to get the best result," he says.

"Council's primary purpose is as a voice of the people, it's not a voice of business.

"Having business skills doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be a good councillor."

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Instead, Mr Grace said councillors need to be able to work together to find the best outcomes for the community.

"Something I hope to improve is community consultation, which I don't think happened well with our last council," he said.

"Consultation is not about making everyone in the community happy with the outcome, it's about making sure everybody in the community understands the outcome which hasn't always been the case recently."

If elected Mr Grace hopes, by the end of his term, council will be seen by residents as an open organisation, trusted by the community to be the voice of Eurobodalla with a well-managed and healthy budget, focussing on community priorities.

He also wants council to help the Eurobodalla community become prepared to deal with the effects of climate change.

"People have become cynical, they don't think they have a voice anymore, but I want to change that," he said.

"I want people to say we have a voice, it's strong, it's competent and we're going to make sure it's heard by the state and federal governments."

For information on the upcoming elections, visit the council's website.