The Mercury asked each candidate to introduce themselves to the community; you can read their responses below.

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

Cath Blakey (Greens)

I have been a councillor for ward 2 since 2017. I have a degree in Environmental Science and have worked in nature conservation, local government, and co-operative business. I live in Coniston with my family and am the mother of a toddler.

I initiated the FOGO scheme, collecting food waste from homes to be made into commercial compost for landscaping and agriculture.

The climate emergency requires local action. We have made a start on having emissions targets, investing in solar panels, switching to energy efficient LED streetlights, and installing public electric vehicle charging stations. We need to cut our reliance on coal fired power.

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We need to commit to human scale development that protects Wollongong's unique beauty and enhances quality of life. We do not want more inappropriate development that removes the visual connection between the escarpment and the ocean.

Our precious coastal lakes and lagoons need greater protection from urban run-off and water pollution.

Harris Cheung (Greens)

I work in Sydney in small business. I was born in Hong Kong and have lived in Wollongong for five years. My main interests are social justice, affordable housing, and preventing domestic violence.

George Takacs (Greens)

I am a retired physics teacher at University of Wollongong. I have been a Wollongong Councillor in the previous term of council. I love bushwalking in the escarpment and cycling.

I am committed to bush regeneration and protecting the escarpment. I would love to see Wollongong as a renewable energy hub providing green jobs into the future

Elena Martinez (Greens)

I am a retired optometrist with two grown children. I love bushwalking and finding bush tucker.

John Dorahy (Liberal)

I am married, three adult children and seven wonderful grandchildren, a family man wanting the best for people and families of all ethnicities in Wollongong.

I am an executive business manager of both national and international business in cash and cashless payment hardware and have extended study as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

I would represent Wollongong as your voice for your community as a whole city where the resident, the business owner, the investor and the needy require increased opportunity to meet with the lord mayor and/or councillors to seek their empathy, feedback and solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing them.

My drive is to bring improved council services through an open door policy; achieve increased local government infrastructure; and drive improvement to local transport and walkability needs.

In my early years, I studied business management and owned and operated business in Wollongong giving me a superior understanding of the challenges facing local business owners and shoppers, hence my drive to improve transport with free parking with time restrictions to provide regular turnover of parked vehicles and shoppers; and a want to re-open Crown Street to traffic and increased hospitality dining on the footpaths.

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Wollongong residents deserve someone like me to be their lord mayor to lead and inspire, who has access and the strong ability to advocate and lobby government ministers, the premier and the prime minister for critical funding and grants.

My walkability plan is to have a footpath laid on every street across Wollongong for a safer and simpler way for children, parents and elderly to make their way to school, to a friends or shopping.

I want to lobby government to give our surf clubs the opportunity to become hives of hospitality to assist the funding of critical lifesaving products.

Finally, I will have an open door to you.

Rhonda Cristini (Liberal)

Born and bred in Wollongong, having worked in the corporate health sector and run businesses in Wollongong, with my husband for more than 30 years, I understand the challenges of both those working and those running their own business.

I understand the concerns of the community and I want to be their voice, I want the community to feel they are listened to and that they have a genuine voice in council that prioritises sensible expenditure while providing essential services that enhances their quality of life.

My commitment to the people of Wollongong is to secure increased infrastructure to make Wollongong a safer city, make decisions in the best interests of all, including young families with improved pathways and parks, reduce traffic congestion, remove parking fees from Wollongong's CBD parking and improve disability access to all areas of the Wollongong LGA.

Asim Iqbal (Liberal)

Jacinta Harmer (Liberal)

Louise Meyrick (Independent)

In the 34 years that I have lived in Wollongong, I have run successful businesses and served on boards including WCC's Economic Development Advisory Board.

I have many years' experience in providing fearlessly independent advice to companies and governments at all levels, including WCC, on complex policy and planning matters such as the region's transport needs.

I am in a women's choir, Out of the Blue Singers and volunteer for refugee support group SCARF. I am a cyclist, ocean swimmer and bushwalker and want future generations to also be able to enjoy these activities that are provided by our city's many natural assets.

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I am standing with Gordon Bradbery and Dom Figliomeni as a Wollongong independent because I believe that local government is most effective when it is represented by people who make evidence-based decisions that serve the long-term interests of our community, free of party politics.

So that Wollongong continues to be an attractive place to live, we need a council that makes decisions that meet the challenges of our growing population in ways that appropriately balance social, economic and environmental priorities. I will work to make sure that council gets the balance right with these priorities.

Christine Burrows (Independent)

Christine Kelly (Independent)

Lesley Worthington (Independent)

Tania Brown (Labor)

I am Wollongong born and bred, growing up in Unanderra, and am passionate about making Wollongong a thriving regional capital. I have two adult children and work at the local university. I was elected as a councillor for ward 2 in 2017 and elected as deputy lord mayor in 2019.

Through my role on council I have fought for our community, this includes establishment of a taskforce to coordinate economic recovery post-COVID, called for the decentralisation of government jobs from Sydney, promoted equality and inclusion and highlighted the need for more parking at our popular beaches.

For the last 12 years I have been chief operating officer of an infrastructure facility at the university and prior to joining the university in 2009, was a senior ministerial policy advisor, having spent 13 years working for state and federal governments. So I know how government works and how to advocate for funding for our city.

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Proud to serve as chair of Destination Wollongong and am also a board member of the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, the Illawarra District (Steelers) Rugby League Club Limited and the Illawarra Sports Stadium Ltd.

I am a self-confessed 'Broadway Tragic' and passionate Illawarra Hawks supporter .

David Brown (Labor)

I was born in Wollongong Hospital, went to Wollongong (and West Wollongong) Primary and Wollongong High schools and Wollongong University - where I was student president.

I studied science at uni and have mostly worked in journalism and communications. I also have qualifications in marketing and small business management.

My priorities are to ensure our city remains a great place to live. We celebrate and maintain our natural beauty while preserving the character of our suburbs.

Sadly too many of our people still need to travel to Sydney for work (maybe 25,000 or so) - targeted promotion of business investment in the CBD is turning that around with several new office blocks under construction.

A vibrant and renewed city centre will be part of our city's future.

Council must lead the post-COVID economic recovery for Wollongong - the state and federal government are not going to help without being prodded.

I pledge to support no rates rise above the CPI.

Our suburbs need investment. We must build more footpaths, sporting and recreation facilities to support our growing population.

Tom Bambrick (Labor)

Like many residents of Wollongong, I moved here to pursue further education and stayed for the vibrant coastal community, active lifestyle and professional opportunities that are offered. I work at the university and am a volunteer with parkrun and surf life saving and hope that if elected I can promote others to call Wollongong home.

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I believe the stewardship of our city should embody the ideals of promoting equality, fairness and investing in the potential people and places. I want to ensure our council creates environments that encourage community engagement for all.

I will advocate for investment in our suburbs, improving walkability, transport links, community spaces and recreation facilities to inspire a thriving community. I'll campaign for the activation of our public spaces through art, music and events that position Wollongong as the premier destination for culture in NSW.

I'll promote a council that has a focus on protecting our environment and combatting climate change to ensure Wollongong's unique geography is preserved for future generations to enjoy and connect with.

With a strong Labor team in Wollongong council, the people of Wollongong can ensure that they get their fair share and enjoy a vibrant economy.

Neil Barnett (Labor)

I am an engineer working in local industry who is passionate about improving our community infrastructure, supporting initiatives to combat climate change and expanding employment opportunities in our city.

I have spent most of my adult life leading one of the city's major sporting organisations, Kembla Joggers, and the development of the national cross-country running venue at Brownsville. Maintaining and improving our local sporting facility infrastructure will continue to be one of my primary objectives.

If elected, I will use my strong community ties and work ethic to deliver positive outcomes for the city.

Thomas Grogan (Independent)

My name is Thomas Grogan I'm 25 years of age, I've grow up in Wollongong and worked in the current area as a carpenter for the past 10 years. I've always been interested in Wollongong City Council politics and if elected would honoured to represent my ward and young people on council.

Marie Glykis (Independent)

I was born and raised here. I'm second generation local and for several decades I was a front line worker. I then moved on to management and hospital administration. And now, I'm studying law, IT and teaching.

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I love living in the region, it's stunning. And I think it's important that the region always lives up to the nickname the settlers gave it, "NSW's Gardens" referring to how stunning the area is. That's why one of my policies it to always make sure that our escarpment and foot hills remain predominantly green and free from development. So that the city to mountain views remain the same so the next generations can enjoy them and in this way we also keep the area's identity.

I also think it's important to make sure that we don't overdevelop the region when managing the city, policy development and growth and to ensure that we incorporate our history with future developments. That way we can stand out of the crowd and retain our uniqueness.

Finally, we need to start living up to the city's grab, "City of Innovation". To date, I yet to see anything that has earned us that title. That needs to change. We so much talent in the region. We need to start addressing it at all levels, e.g. from technology, e.g. who'd love to see a 3D laser show display at Christmas or New Years Eve? What about our organic farming? How can we make that more cost effective so all can enjoy it? What about developments in robotics, or the use of lasers instead of CT scans? And what about "clean" transport options? There is so much we can do, it's time to make that change.

As a result, I think I am well placed to represent you, your families and the community.

Andrew Anthony (Sustainable Australia Party)

Lifelong Figtree resident; former founcillor 2004-2008; ICT consultant; studied electrical engineering and business management; former neighbourhood committee convenor.

[I have] been a passionate campaigner for the environment and social justice in the community. [I am] a strong believer in grassroots democracy and community participation in decision making.

As a councillor, [I] was an avid supporter of council's Bushcare and Environmental Sustainability projects. [I hope] to continue the fight for sensible sustainable planning and safeguarding the Illawarra escarpment and foreshore from overdevelopment.

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During [my] term on council, [I] blew the whistle on dodgy council planning processes and helped expose cosy relationships between developers, councillors and planning staff. [I have] publicly called for a ban on political donations to reduce the risk of corruption and undue influence on politicians.

[I enjoy] bushwalking, cycling, tinkering with technology, photography, classical music, vegetarian cooking, TV Sci-fi, political dramas and current affairs.

On a global scale, [I see] land clearing, deforestation and climate change as major challenges of our time. [I support] the uptake of renewable energy and teaching people about sustainable living to ensure future generations will be able to appreciate the world in the same way we do.

Suzanne De Vive (Sustainable Australia Party)

John Gill (Sustainable Australia Party)

Ricky Fulton (Sustainable Australia Party)

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