Six of the seven Mayoral candidates participated in a 'meet the candidates' forum at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Wednesday night and were pressed on what they would do to support a more economically and environmentally sustainable tourism industry.

Adavance Eurobodalla candidate Mat Hatcher, who was previously the President of the Batemans Bay Business Chamber, said tourism would "drive the area".

"We need to do everything we can to get tourists here in the shoulder seasons," he said.

"I always hear people say they've run into walls with our council, and we need to do everything to open our doors and get people in who want to come here and do great things in the Shire."

Councillor Rob Pollock said he fully supported the re-establishment and activation of both the Business Advisory Committee and the Tourism Advisory Commitee.

"I chaired tourism for the South Coast for 15 years, and I was responsible for forming Eurobodalla Tourism in its infancy," he said.

"I regret the situation that has occurred over the past four or five years.

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"It's not correct to say we're not operating in the field, but the industry has changed markedly and a lot of the changes we have made reflect the change in the market."

The Mayne Team candidate Karyn Starmer noted Eurobodalla Council didn't carry a single employee for tourism in its current form.

"Tourism needs to become a priority," she said.

"We need to restore the advisory boards, and work with the Business Chambers.

"We need to work on recruiting people who are experts in marketing and events to modernise and drive this Shire.

"There needs to be more help, more communication, and more consultation, because without our community, I'm not sure what would happen around here.

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"Let's get Council to start working with all the fabulous people working in this Shire."

Labor candidate David Grace said it was important for Council to have the "skills, knowledge, and experience around the table to make good decisions".

"We'll get those committed back to get that experience back in our decision making," he said.

"We need complete information - I want to make sure I always know the full story."

Tubby Harrison from A Better Council echoed the same sentiments.

"We need to get back to the committees," he said. "That's where the brains are, and we have fantastic people out here in the community doing all the work."

Greens candidate Alison Worthington did say advisory committees would be "key", but did not elaborate on her answer.