Councillors James Hawkins, Dale Troy, Neil Gorman, Bob Pynsent, Ian Olsen and James Ryan have indicated their interest in the position and agreed the city needed new direction.

Cr Hawkins (ALP) said he was "seriously considering" standing and said he had already been approached by senior party members and union officials.

Cr Pynsent (ALP) said he would be seeking pre-selection.

He planned to pursue better services in policing, health, safety and quality of life.

"Winning the seat won't be easy with a 12.4 per cent margin, which is fairly substantial," Cr Pynsent said.

Cr Gorman has already been endorsed as the Nationals candidate.

"I'm running a straight Coalition platform with the aim to get rid of the Labor Party," he said.

"We need to get rid of the most dysfunctional cabinet in the history of Australia."

Cr Gorman said improvements to police and health services were high on his agenda.

Cr Ryan (Greens) said the Greens were going through an election process of which he was part.

He said public transport and resources for education were two of his priorities.

"We miss out constantly because Cessnock is a safe seat and the people feel resentful that Maitland gets a lot of the funding because it is a marginal seat," Cr Ryan said.

Independent councillor Ian Olsen said he was "tossing around" the idea of running for the seat and was weighing up his options this week.

Cr Troy, who is a Liberal Party representative on the council, confirmed last month that he would contest the seat as an independent.