Mr Lawrence, 42, who stood as the Labor candidate for Dubbo in the 2015 state election, is now a barrister performing much of his work across regional NSW.

Until 2015, Mr Lawrence was the principal solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service (Western Region) where he worked to provide access to justice for disadvantaged people. 

He said in a statement on Wednesday he will contest the East ward in the September 9 council poll.

He said he will seek formal Country Labor endorsement for his run.

Mr Lawrence, who is a member of the Orana branch of the party, said: “I am a proud Country Labor member.

“There are numerous signed-up members of the National and Liberal parties standing in the election as so called “Independents”. I will seek endorsement as a Country Labor candidate because I believe in transparency. People know who I am and what I stand for and I will never hide it,” he said.

“Councillor work is first and foremost about the services local government provides. I will be focused on the best policy and the best value for money. But I will not be hesitant in using my position to draw attention to broader social issues.

“I have long campaigned on falling police numbers, the need for a Drug Court, the need for residential rehabilitation treatment services. For too long this community has endured high crime rates and not enough is being done to actually address the causes,” Mr Lawrence said.