There are contests in all four wards of Wattle Range Council while first-term Mayor Des Noll has been re-elected unopposed.

The 17 candidates for the four-yearly elections were announced by Deputy Returning Officer Frank Brennan at a brief public ceremony at the Wattle Range Council chambers in Millicent on Tuesday afternoon.

“Congratulations to Mayor Noll on his re-election and good luck to the candidates,” said Mr Brennan after he conducted the drawer for the rankings on the ballot papers.

The ceremony was witnessed by a small gathering including council staff, candidates and the media.

Sitting Riddoch Ward councillors Chris Brodie and Dean Burrow are being challenged by newcomer Emma Castine.

There are four candidates for the two vacancies on Sorby Adams Ward with Kalangadoo resident Robert Stewart making his second bid for office.

Newcomer Gregory Moore and sitting councillors Deb Agnew and Dale Price are the other candidates.

Cr Sharon Cox has represented Corcoran Ward for the past 16 years, but as she now lives at Beachport she has opted to nominate for Kintore Ward.

The other candidates for the two vacancies are newcomers Richard Cassidy and Carrie Adamo.

There are six candidates for the five vacancies on Corcoran Ward – sitting councillors Moira Neagle, Dennis Muhovics, John Drew and Peter Dunnicliff along with newcomers David Walshaw and Lee Morgan.

Cr Dunnicliff has represented three wards in Sorby Adams (2006-10), Corcoran (2010-2014) and Kintore (2014-22).

As expected, Dr Kevin McGrath did not seek a third term as a Kintore Ward councillor.

There have been six elections since the council was formed in 1997 and two other occasions when the incumbent Mayor was re-elected unopposed.

This feat was achieved by the late Don Ferguson in 2003 and by Peter Gandolfi in 2014.

Postal ballot papers will be posted out in the coming weeks.