Five candidates are in the race for the Corangamite Shire by-election

Terang's John Glazebrook and Bostocks Creek's Lance Robilliard have joined the race along with Camperdown's Michael Emerson, Noorat's Geraldine Conheady and Camperdown's Catherine O'Flynn.

Mr Robilliard lives on a dairy farm with his wife and is the former captain of the Bostocks Creek CFA.

He said he wanted to bring a different perspective to the council including his experience in agriculture.

"The reason I put my hat in the ring is to look at the things that go on in the shire from a different angle and from a different view," he said.

"I treat everybody as equal and what you see is what you get.

"I just felt that if I can make a difference, bring new ideas in .... listen to the people and take it to the meetings."

Mr Robilliard said he'd lived in the area his whole life and believed there was a lot of potential to create more opportunities for young people.

"... When you come back to this area, Corangamite Shire and Moyne Shire... anywhere in this part of the world, it's some of the prettiest. I've always thought very highly of the area. It's on a major highway, there's a railway line that links everything.

"We have the potential to do a lot more.

"We've got the infrastructure there, we've just got to expand it.

"I don't see why all our children have got to run off to Melbourne to get a job. We should decentralise certain industry and get it going in the country, otherwise all these towns will end up retirement villages."

Mr Robilliard said the COVID-19 pandemic would mean a slow economic recovery for many in the community.

"This is going to be a very tough period for a lot of people and it's going to take a lot of thinking at all levels of how people are going to come through this," he said.

"At the same time we must not let our guard down on badly damaged roads.... or the employment in the area and the small businesses."

For Mr Glazebrook an experience going to the dentist helped cement his decision to put his hand up for council.

Mr Glazebrook said during stage one of the COVID-19 social restrictions Terang didn't have a dentist.

He said he had to go to Warrnambool to see a dentist and was charged $700.

"I think that's ridiculous," he said.

"I know of other individuals who need dental treatment and are holding off because of the cost. It's a hidden crisis."

Mr Glazebrook said he also thought there were ways to make recycling and rubbish collection cheaper for the community.

He said he was also passionate about councils being open and transparent.

"You can't talk about ethics unless you're transparent," he said. "We need much more transparency."

Mr Glazebrook is former school teacher, taxi operator and public servant and moved to Terang last year.

The by-election will be conducted by post and voters who were correctly enrolled for Central Ward by 4pm on May 1 will receive a ballot pack. Voting closes at 6pm on Friday, June 26.

Returning Officer Colin Riley advised voters to vote well ahead of the closing time.

"Local mail clearance times may be earlier than the close of voting, so don't leave it to the last minute," he said.