THE field of competitors for the city`s top job doubled just an hour before nominations closed yesterday.

Incumbent Mayor Kevin Byrne`s name will top the Cairns Regional Council ballot paper on March 15, followed by serial election candidates Peter Sandercock and Selwyn Johnston.

Cairns 1st's leader Val Schier`s name will appear fourth on the list.

Mr Johnston only decided to nominate on Sunday and was the last to fill in his paper work an hour before the nomination register closed at 12pm yesterday.

De Jarlais Pavilion at the Cairns Showgrounds was buzzing with anticipation  as the names of the 32 candidates vying for positions in the 10 divisions were drawn.

While Cr Byrne was not at the draw, the other three mayoral candidates were.

More than half of the Unity Team also did not turn up, while only two Cairns 1st candidates were unable to attend.
   Most of the independent candidates attended.

Returning officer Ken Gorton said the candidates appeared relaxed during the draw process.

"There was obviously some joy and some disappointment as the numbers came out," Mr Gorton said.

Incumbent Cr Paul Gregory was the only nominee for Division 1.

The seat of division 10 will be fought out by eight candidates, while each of the other divisions had two or more candidates.

Even those whose name would not top the ballot paper were not perturbed by their position.

"Number three is a Chinese lucky number," Mr Johnston told The Cairns Post after the draw.

Ms Schier was not worried about her place on the ballot.

"We always said we were going to turn it all upside down," she said.

Independent Division 5 candidate Alan Blake said he hoped independents would triumph on election day.

"It's going to be independents day," Cr Blake said.

"We need a good strong team of people with fresh ideas to bring the balance back into council."

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