The former mayor, the only woman on the current council, had previously announced she would be standing down after serving for nine years as a councillor.

But she has now decided to run again, hoping to retain a woman’s perspective within the council chambers.

Cr Morse has pushed hard in recent months to encourage other women to run for council and held a well-attended forum earlier this year where she spoke to women about the challenges and rewards of serving as a councillor.

And while a number of women have expressed an interest in running for council, none was putting up their hand to lead an above-the-line ticket.

“Some women have told me they would perhaps run at position four or five on a ticket but that’s not going to get you on council,” Cr Morse said.

“In the end I thought I’ve got to put my money where my mouth is.

“I thought if I ran a ticket and other women wanted to come on board then I could support and mentor them.

“Some of the women may not be doing it to get on council this time but they can get some experience being part of a campaign and see a bit of what goes on.

“I just don’t want another council of middle-aged men like we see in Orange.”

Cr Morse’s decision to run again means just two of the councillors elected in 2012 will not contest the September poll.

Michael Coote is quitting council due to work commitments while former mayor Gary Rush has also confirmed he won’t be running again.

Voters can expect to see a bumper field of candidates on this year’s ballot paper with at least nine above-the-line tickets expected to register for the election.

Each ticket must include five candidates and with a number of independent candidates also likely to run, the total field is sure to top 50.

Thirty-five candidates contested the last election in 2012.