THE first in a series of speeches by mayoral and council candidates takes place next Wednesday, November 11, from 7pm.

Mayoral candidate Andrew Willcox will be the first to talk about who he is and what he stands for.

Cr Willcox is currently the Division 6 councillor and deputy mayor and lives in Bowen.

Those wishing to attend should text or email "Series 1" to 0418 918 757 or hood.pj@bigpond.net.au to give organisers an idea of numbers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning held a series of free information sessions for those intending to run for council ahead of next year's Local Government elections.

Session host Mark Neylan said nine people attended the Bowen information session on Monday night and there were seven at the Palm House on Tuesday night, where Mr Neylan and former Thuringowa and Townsville mayor Les Tyrell spoke about what potential candidates could expect from a role in council. Mr Tyrell said he'd initially decided to run for Thuringowa Shire Council back in 1979, which he semi-jokingly described as a "hillbilly council".

"A lot of you here tonight will already be significantly involved in the community and working as a councillor or mayor is taking that community involvement up a level," he said.

Next year's local government elections will be held on March 19.