Eighteen candidates will be vying for nine councillor positions at the local government election on September 9.

With seven days to go before nominations closed, it looked like it was going to be a second uncontested election with only nine nominations, but there was a late rush of names.

Oberon Business and Tourism Association (OBTA) president Tim Charge said the numbers were a positive.

"This proves that there is a genuine interest in the future of Oberon,” he said.

OBTA will hold and host a “meet the candidates” evening at the Oberon RSL Club on Wednesday, August 23 at 7pm.

Mr Charge said it will be an opportunity to hear the candidates speak about what they will bring to Oberon Council, as well as to have a chat with the individual candidates after the forum.

"All residents in the Oberon shire, who are eligible to vote, are invited to attend the evening. It's important for candidates to RSVP their attendance to myself on 0427 365 144 or Helen Lowe on 6336 2033.

"We need to allocate time limitations and this will depend on how many will be presenting."

Mr Charge said it was important for existing councillors, and councillor hopefuls, “to make themselves known to the community”.

The returning officer conducted the ballot paper draw at 6pm last Wednesday to determine the position of each candidate.

Andrew McKibbin and Jacque Wilson sit at the top of the ballot on a Group A ticket followed by Michael McKechnie, Kerry Gibbons, Sam Lord, Clive McCarthy, Karl Safranek, Ian Tucker, Mark Kellam, Brenda Lyon, Gregory Bourne, Janet Baljeu, Robert Mills, Neil Francis, Owen Rogers, Don Capel, Kathy Sajowitz and Ian Doney.