Bunbury resident and business owner James Searle is one of 16 candidates seeking to change things for the better.
Mr Searle and his wife, Sheila, first moved to Bunbury from Ballarat, Victoria back in 2012.
"As soon as our daughter finished school in Victoria, we hightailed it over to the west," he said.
"I believe it is the best thing I have ever done, because Bunbury and the South-West are amazing."
After adjusting to their new surrounds, the couple turned Wight and Emmett into one of the region's biggest pet supply stores.
The pair gained a reputation for treating their customers, their employees, and the local community with respect.
In 2016, they moved the business from a small shopfront in Bunbury - on the corner of Wellington Street and Carmody Place - to a large warehouse in Davenport.
The Searles have seen Bunbury expand exponentially over the past seven years.
Following last month's special electors meeting, Mr Searle made the huge decision to run for City of Bunbury Council.
He and fellow candidates Marina Quain and Cheryl Kozisek recently addressed council about the proposed $40 million Civic and Cultural Precinct.
Mr Searle is calling upon the city and the State Government to deliver more opportunities for Bunbury.
He said the city and community must work together to create positive changes.
"Bunbury has a lot of potential - it has the basic building blocks needed to build a vibrant community," he said.
"I believe Bunbury requires new ideas, not personal agendas.
"We need to change the perception that Bunbury is dying.
"We also need to look at how we can build this city into something bigger and better."
Mr Searle is encouraging the other candidates and the voters to voice their concerns.
"If elected, I will happily walk around town and listen to our ratepayers," he said.
"Let's all work towards building a better Bunbury. We all need to work together to turn Bunbury into the happiest city in the South-West."
Residents will cast their votes on Saturday, October 19.
Visit bunbury.wa.gov.au/Pages/Council-Elections.aspx or facebook.com/bunburycity/ for more details.
