Andrew Kennedy feels driven by a sense of obligation in standing for the merged Corowa-Urana shire.

“I thought it was about time I put my hand up and be involved in the changes that are going to happen in the shire,” Mr Kennedy said.

“My father said ‘why do it?’ and I said ‘dad I think it’s time to put back into the community.”

Mr Kennedy and his brothers, who include Yarrawonga football co-coach Chris Kennedy, run Kennedy Builders founded by his father Wayne in 1974.

With interests in motels and units, Mr Kennedy has a good gauge on tourism and believes more could be done by the shire to promote Lake Mulwala.

“This lake is worth millions and it’s got to be pushed more,” he said.

“It’s the only lake that stays full in Victoria pretty much, because it’s got to be kept full for irrigation.

“We’re the little fiddle to Yarrawonga and I think Corowa and Mulwala have got to link more and then you’ve got the lake at Urana which is full and that could be utilised more.”

Kennedy Builders construct 30 homes in the Mulwala area each year, with half of them for those under retirement age which shows the need for jobs, Mr Kennedy said.

Mr Kennedy joins friend Shaun Whitechurch and former councillors Daryl Davey, Fred Longmire, Gail Law, Mark Shields, Pat Bourke, John Doyle and Joan Palmer in nominating.

Nominations will officially open on Monday and close on August 9.

The election will be on September 9 with seven polling booths.