More than 180 people attended the forum at Manning Entertainment Centre on the evening of Wednesday, November 17. Candidates from Troy Fowlers' Liberal Party and Luke Cubis's group were apologies, along with the ungrouped candidate Mick Bergin.

Convenor, and time keeper, Rob Meaton said the forum went well and the MEC proved a very comfortable venue.

Uncle John Clarke gave the welcome to Country and moderators were Chris Sheed and Andy Colvin.

Rob explained with 13 Groups and 80 candidates nominating, as well as the COVID restrictions in place at the MEC, the format had to be streamlined. Each group, in order of the ballot, was asked to nominate a lead speaker who was given four minutes to outline the group's reasons for seeking election.

Question time followed. Each group had been provided eight questions in advance and were given one minute to answer the first five questions, covering topics such as economic development, ecological sustainability and tree preservation.

The final three questions required a simple "yes, no, sometimes, or maybe" answer. They were: Will your group be voting as a block?; would you the support the public forum, where the members of the public can address councillors on agenda items, being part of the council meeting; and, would you support consideration for de-amalgamation of council or setting up a system of "wards"?

2BOB recorded the evening's proceeding for later broadcast on FM 104.7, streaming and available on demand from the website.