After spending two year on the City of Bunbury council, Cheryl Kozisek has put her hat in the ring for the mayoral position in the October 16 election.
Cr Kozisek said she had enjoyed her time on council and believed Bunbury was on the cusp of great things.
"It is time for a change and perhaps a female at the lead, will be the one to make those changes," she said.
Cr Kozisek found herself and her family moving to Bunbury 21 years ago from Manjimup after the government of the time shut down Old growth Logging and nearly killed the town.
Cr Kozisek and her husband went onto to do some study and now she runs her own interior design business.
After purchasing Bunbury Hi fi a few years ago, Cr Kozisek said their timing for the decision was 'appalling' after retail took a downturn due to online shopping.
But the experience led her to create The Retail Co, a not for profit organisation primarily to support small locally owned bricks and mortar business in the CBD.
"I was instrumental in gaining two hours free parking in the CBD," she said.
As a potential leader of the city, Cr Kozisek said promoting Bunbury as a liveable city and tourist destination was important.
"Bunbury has never marketed itself to the rest of Australia, let alone the world, the South West of Australia has proven to be the place to be safe over the last 18 months, we need to promote that," she said.
"A major drawcard is needed and I believe the back beach salt water pool would put Bunbury on the map, it will be the catalyst needed to develop our back beach, attract a 6 star hotel, and connect the CBD to the foreshore."
On a lighter note, on Cr Kozisek's day off you will see her visiting local retailers to see how things are going.
"I am often having a coffee or lunch in town," she said.
"If not I may be in the garden, swimming or restoring chairs, and of course time with my family."
The other mayoral candidates are Michelle Steck, Amanda Yip, Tresslyn Smith, Betty McCleary, Jaysen San DeMiguel, David Kerr, Michael Southwell, Alfred Leigh and Gabi Ghassab.
The other councillor candidates are Mark Chadwick, Dr Parthasarathy Ramesh, Matt Foreman, Ben Andrew, Marina Quain, Daniel Singleton, Dave Chandler, Wayne Chattillon, Michelle Steck, Jaysen De San Miguel, Karen Steele and Gabi Ghassab.