The successful businessman is running as a solo candidate this year, four years after he appeared as the number two on Jess Jennings' ticket.

His love of Bathurst has prompted him to run, and this time on his own merits.

"A lot of the teams as such, you've usually got the first and second person keen on going on council, then the other three are just filling in the numbers, and I don't think that's actually fair to voters," he said.

"... I love this place. I absolutely love Bathurst and I just think that we need to be a lot more progressive in relation to promoting ourselves."

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His election campaign has a strong business focus, with building a closer relationship between council and the Bathurst Business Chamber high on his list of priorities.

Mr Semmens also wants to revitalise the Technology Park plan from 20 years ago, working closely with industry and CSU to develop Bathurst's own version of Silicon Valley.

Some of his other priorities include a greater emphasis on Buy Local, pushing council to ensure at least 80 per cent of its suppliers are local businesses, and start a marketing hub for all businesses with a strong focus on promoting tourism in the region.

He also has ideas for the old TAFE building, which he says should be used as a visual arts centre, incorporating a TV studio and CGI development centre and casting studio.

Mr Semmens will appear below the line on the ballot paper and will be the fifth of the solo candidates to be listed.

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