TWO Port Macquarie forums will give voters an insight into the candidates contesting the local government election.

Twenty four of the 27 candidates have confirmed their attendance at the Residents Action Network meet the candidates forum.

The forum is at Port City Bowling Club from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on September 1.

John Tingle has stepped in at the last minute to chair the forum as RAN president Hilton King is unavailable.

The candidates will address the forum.

Mr Tingle appealed to the candidates to stick to the time limit due to the large candidate field.

He said the forum was a major event when people could see and hear the candidates, and make their own assessment.

Mr Tingle said you could tell a lot from talking to people, listening to people and watching the way they behaved.

“I’ve always said local government is the most important level of government because it is the one closest to your own backyard,” he said.

Meanwhile, Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce will stage a meet the council candidates working lunch on September 5 at Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges.

Each candidate will have brief opportunity to share a little about themselves and what they stand for.

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Hadyn Oriti said the council played a very significant role for business and the economy generally.

“It’s important business concerns are heard and understood by our potential councillors and certainly so business understands the platform on which the potential councillors are running,” he said.

The chamber event is on September 5 from 11.45am to 2.30pm at a cost of $25 for members and $30 for non-members and guests.