Todd Holden and Ben Quinn, both 41, will run on Cr Burke’s ticket bringing fresh blood into the local government race.

Cr Burke, who operates a cafe in Church Street, announced his team on Sunday and said it was time for a younger generation to step up and have their say around the horseshoe.

Mr Holden is the national truck manager for Europcar, and Mr Quinn, a former Fairfax journalist runs Maitland’s Grand Junction Hotel with wife Melissa.

Both men live and work in Maitland’s Central Ward.

The men describe their team as black and white. “There are no colours, no politics,” Cr Burke said.

If elected, the trio’s plan is to start a dialogue with ratepayers, learn how they want to shape their city and take the community’s thoughts back to the chamber for discussion.

“Local councils should be about the local people and about engaging with the community. It should not be a stepping stone for aspiring politicians,” Mr Quinn said.

The trio has no affiliations with any political party.

“Maitland is going well under the current council and they are doing a great job but the time has come for new blood, someone who knows Central Maitland, its people and is on the ground in their ward,” Mr Quinn said.

“Parking is getting people hot under the collar at the moment. Our workforce has grown and will continue to grow but the parking issue has never been addressed.”

Cr Burke said parking is not so much a problem for shoppers but more for the people who work in the city centre.

“Perhaps we do need to look at land near the long bridge and perhaps entice a savvy business person to provide a shuttle service for workers.”

Mr Quinn said the team’s aim is to throw the lines of communication open to the ratepayers through social media.

“They need to be involved in the conversation and the solution. We want to hear from them. They can call in for a beer with me or a coffee with Brian,” he said.

“There’s aren’t many mayors in Maitland’s history who would open their doors to constituents for a yarn and a cuppa.”

Mr Holden said his priority, if elected, is to make sure council keeps good governance in Maitland and does what is best for the city and the people who recognise how good it is to live here.