A MEET-the-candidate breakfast at Murwillumbah gave candidates their last platform to address voters on why they should be given the opportunity to represent on the council.

Candidates were asked about economic stimulation and the future of Murwillumbah's town centre at the Murwillumbah District Business Chamber breakfast.

Lead candidates Kaye Sharples, Barry Longland, Michael Armstrong, Dot Holdom, Eddie Roberts, Jayne Henry, Carolyn Byrne and Phil Youngblutt were amongst the speakers.

Candidates revealed their economic focus with the five minutes they each had to discuss their ideas.

Councillor Phil Youngblutt said agriculture was on decline in the Tweed and there while there was no going back there needed to be change to make farming viable.

"We once had 1150 dairy farms in the Tweed and each one had a piggery," Cr Youngblutt said.

"Now we have five dairy farms and one piggery."

Cr Dot Holdom said the region needed open and honest communication through official forums to ensure progress, and that all aspects of the community were "in this together".

"If we don't listen and really start to talk to each other through some sort of recognised process with the chambers of commerce and the council then wasting each other's time," she said.

Most of the candidate expressed concern that the council was not making the most of the tourism opportunities of living in such a beautiful area.

Mr Roberts said the arts, food, and adventure tourism was the key to prosperity on the Tweed.

"We have wonderful assets that can be tourism drivers," Mr Armstrong said.