Mr Wills is no stranger to campaigning, having run as a Greens candidate in the 2017 New England by-election and as an Independent for the Upper House at the 2019 NSW election.

The North West Alliance member, who owns a farm on the Liverpool Plains, is a vocal opponent of the Hunter Gas Pipeline and has also been outspoken about land use conflicts involving BHP and Shenhua.

"We as a community have approached the council on issues like coal seam gas, looking for help and advocacy from them," he said.

"With risks to agriculture, community and our water, fundamental issues to many in the community and directly impacted landholders, and our community have had our council chamber doors slammed in our face.

"It's disgraceful, and clearly time for new community representation".

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He also said council has struggled to meet its own climate change targets, and needed new direction in order to follow its 10 year Community Strategic Plan, which was adopted in 2017.

"In 2019 Gunnedah Council took a strong position when they voted in favour of action on Climate Change with the climate emergency declaration at a state level, but back in Gunnedah they advocate for coal and gas," he said."

"[This is] against many of our community's wishes, and against clear risks, terminal asset decline and dire financial fundamentals of these now sunset industries."

Local government elections will take place on Saturday, September 4.

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