The Mercury asked each candidate to introduce themselves to the community.

If you want to know who is running in the Wollongong and Shellharbour mayoral elections, you can see the list here. Pre-polling has opened and you can find out more information here.

Read more: Your guide to the 2021 Illawarra council elections

Mithra Cox (Greens)

I am a musician and environmental educator with a passion for environment and community. I have nearly 20 years experience managing innovative sustainability projects and working in public administration, including in local government and the NSW Parliament.

I grew up on the south coast, attending Bomaderry High School and Wollongong University. I now live with my family in Corrimal, am a mum of two kids and in my spare time I play soccer.

I was first elected as a councillor for Ward 1 in 2017, and I am proud of how much we have been able to achieve since then: more footpaths, more shade trees, and local solutions to climate change. I want to see a vibrant and sustainable city, where everyone feels welcome.

Bronwyn Batten (Greens)

For the bulk of my career I have worked in various policy roles for the NSW Government. I am also a qualified secondary teacher and actively volunteer in our community - I teach primary ethics at Thirroul Public School and regularly volunteer at Sandon Point Park Run. Since moving with my family to Thirroul in 2017, I have been a fierce advocate for quality public transport for the Illawarra. In 2017 I established "Illawarra Rail Fail" which campaigns to get more carriages, more services and faster travel times on the South Coast line.

Our next council will be crucial to establishing local solutions to reduce our emissions and adapt to a harsher climate. I have completed the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand's course on climate change adaptation and resilience and am passionate about working towards local solutions for climate change in Wollongong.

Stephen Young (Greens)

I am a retired software developer, mediator, farmer and volunteer bushfire fighter. I love bushwalking, cycling, playing tennis and table tennis. I have enjoyed Thirroul's coastal village ambience for the seven years I have lived here.

I want development in northern suburbs constrained until commensurate supporting infrastructure is provided.

Martin Cubby (Greens)

I work as a union organiser at the University of Wollongong. I have lived in Corrimal with my partner and two kids for the last seven years. I am passionate about social justice, action to address climate change, and a just transformation to a Green economy.

Janice Kershaw (Labor)

I was born at Bulli Hospital and have lived in Bellambi almost my entire life, with a brief period of 10 years at East Corrimal. I am the third generation of my family to live in Bellambi. I am married and have two children.

I have worked most of my working life at Revenue NSW (though it has gone through a number of name changes over the years) and I am currently the manager of the technical team.

I was first elected onto Wollongong City in 1991 and have been honored to be re-elected every election since then. I have held various positions on council over the years, including deputy lord mayor. I have also been elected onto the NSW Local Government Association on a number of occasions.

Also I have been appointed to the NSW Public Transport Advisory Panel and the Wollongong Showground Trust.

I am passionate about keeping our suburbs as communities, stopping inappropriate overdevelopment and forcing the state government to take responsibility for the traffic problems in the northern suburbs. They need to provide real solutions and not just cheap short term fixes that no one supports.

Richard Martin (Labor)

I moved to the Illawarra 10 years ago and became very active within the community after a short time.

I want to ensure the council enhances where you live by providing good recreation, sporting facilities, and playgrounds. The council needs to provide good parking for our visitors to the region now we have seen an increase in visitors - by doing this it will help our residents enjoy their local area.

Dallas Baird (Labor)

I come from a news media background and am well acquainted with the challenges of keeping a family afloat in a changing economic and social climate.

I am a third generation Illawarra man now living in Helensburgh.

Thomas Kershaw (Labor)

I'm Thomas Kershaw, after six years of education at Holy Spirit College, I have now finished the HSC and am now deciding between Bachelors of Business and Bachelors of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Wollongong.

Wade Johnson (Science Party NSW)

I work as a scientist in an environmental testing laboratory where I analyse water and soil contamination. I completed a chemistry degree at UOW.

I joined the Science Party because it provides a much needed "alternative" perspective; one that focuses on scientific and evidence-based policies. I have a keen interest in combating the dissemination of misinformation. I am a member of the equality committee at my workplace, which supports women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and an elected delegate for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.

I am passionate about environmental protection and have been involved in campaigns to protect and prevent mining in the special catchment area around Woronora Dam. In my spare time I can be found on the hockey field, either playing or coaching junior teams at my local club and regional representative level.

Cameron Walters (Liberal)

I am the lead Liberal candidate for ward 1 (northern suburbs) at the upcoming Wollongong council election on December 4. I live in the far northern Illawarra township of Helensburgh with my partner Jessica and our Border Collie Nala.

As a ward 1 local, I am passionate about the issues that are important to our community including easing traffic congestion, delivering quality council services, improving our parks and sporting facilities, assisting small business as we come out of COVID-19 and reducing Wollongong's carbon footprint to support our local environment.

Throughout my entire life spent living in the area, I have served and continue to serve as a volunteer and a community board director for several local organisations. I currently work in the energy industry, assisting in the fast-changing energy environment.

I have served as a Wollongong City councillor since 2017 for ward 3 and I've been proud to have fought and delivered in improving transport, infrastructure and enhanced services. I look forward to continuing the fight in ward 1 to deliver better council services, improve transport accessibility, and increase the council's infrastructure spend in the northern suburbs which is desperately needed.

Philip Clifford (Liberal)

Rochelle Nash (Liberal)

Moira Mortimer-Fox (Liberal)

The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.