The team of independents led by Ms Sheppard includes Greg Freeman, Linda Elbourne and Ethan Francis.

The group ticket will focus on sensible, sustainable progress and aim to improve the way Port Macquarie-Hastings Council listens to the community, operates and plans for the future.

"We aim to bring the values of honesty and transparency to council decision-making by genuinely listening to the community," Ms Sheppard said.

"Our platform means we will take a measured and practical approach to population growth and appropriate infrastructure.

"We recognise that the health and sustainability of our economy, our community and our environment are all critical to ensure prosperity and liveability for both current and future generations."

The team will build community values into the core of council's strategy and planning through better decision-making with a commitment to leadership that listens to community, science, and experts; investment in infrastructure; economic development planning to increase living standards; and sensible sustainability strategically integrated into council operations.

"Our key point of difference is that we have a deep understanding of what real community engagement means, a thorough knowledge of how council works, and a commitment to leave our region in great shape for future generations," Ms Sheppard said.

Ms Sheppard grew up in the Hastings and played soccer with Wauchope for a decade. After school she studied psychology in the USA, worked in mental health for a decade on the South Coast, then moved to Bonny Hills in 2018 to start her family.

She is now a mother, local psychologist and a soccer player. She has emerged as a local community leader in her roles on council's COVID Recovery Working Group, PMHC Think2050 community ambassador, a climate action advocate, community representative on the Sustainability Sub-committee, local agriculture advocate, and as a regular contributor to council's economic development planning activities.

Ms Sheppard said she is nominating for mayor because she believes the community needs genuine leadership that embraces diverse opinions and brings the community together on shared challenges and opportunities.

"I'm interested in leadership for our community, not politics and vested business interests," she said.

"Our community has been through so much, and balancing the infrastructure, economic, social, and environmental needs of our communities is a monumental task. I have the energy and community drive, I have the local council experience, and I have the respectful teamwork skills needed to get results for our community."

Greg Freeman lives in the Lighthouse Beach area of Port Macquarie and has been a resident of Wauchope and Port Macquarie for over 30 years.

He is a businessman, with his own company, Impact Environmental Consulting and works mainly with local government around Australia specialising in waste management and recycling.

Mr Freeman is a board member of the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce and was previously on council's Economic Development Steering Group. He has chaired the Port Macquarie Aquatic Centre Committee for around four years.

His goal in council is to make the area more productive, sustainable and liveable. His personal priorities are better roads and infrastructure, a new aquatic centre, improved pedestrian and cycleways, promotion of the natural beauty of the region, more effective communication between the council and ratepayers and a more socially just community.

Linda Elbourne has lived and worked in Port Macquarie for the past 25 years.

She has two adult children, who left Port Macquarie to pursue work and studies who have both now returned and call Port Macquarie home.

She is currently the vice president of the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce, this role giving her some insight into local business needs.

Ms Elbourne spent 20 years working for Essential Energy in a corporate environment and has spent the past four years working in and learning about the disability sector. She looks after business development and marketing for the Willing & Able Foundation and has just opened their first support home.

Linda also works in and manages a private support home.

Ethan Francis has lived in Port Macquarie since he was 15 and attended Hastings Secondary College. He is the youngest candidate running at the local election.

He has an interest in nature and its processes which is why he chose to study a Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management in order to expand that interest.

Throughout his studies he noticed that many issues concerning the environment are created at a political level or can be resolved through means of implementing well thought out and planned strategies, which can then be implemented by passionate people.

He is involved in the community through university and his work at Facade Escape rooms, allowing him to be engaged with the youth of our community on an every day basis.

Mr Francis believes Port Macquarie as a town should lead by example and work towards goals that benefit the people of the community and the environment they live in.