George Neophytou has lived in East Gippsland for more than five years after relocating from Melbourne.

A lawyer, Mr Neophytou is hoping to gain a seat on Council because he is concerned about the protracted processes in the planning department at the East Gippsland Shire.

Mr Neophytou says he would like to work with the administration to improve those processes and eliminate the red tape ratepayers are confronted with when dealing with the Shire.

It’s not the first time he has contested the elections. He nominated in the previous 2016 council elections but was unsuccessful with a record 39 candidates vying for a seat that year.