TABLELAND mayoral hopefuls faced-off in Mareeba last night in the first of a series of debates in the race for the top job at the Tableland Regional Council.

Members of the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce put Joe Moro, Peter Hodge, Tom Gilmore, Joe Paronella and Geoff Stocker under the microscope to test their business acumen.

Chamber president Paul Fagg said the candidates were called on to explain their position on business and economic development to help business owners make an informed decision.

Each candidate was given five minutes to sell their economic and business credentials and map out key priorities if elected.

Adjusting rates featured highly in the candidates' spiels, as did fostering the region's bedrock industries of tourism and agriculture.

Cr Paronella spoke of his passion for local government and promised to unite the community by respecting the work of the former shires.

"Without the community getting behind the council we don't have a hope," he said.

Peter Hodge touted his own business and local government experience and promised to develop, improve and maintain the service delivery in the diverse region.

Cr Moro vowed not to rush in unnecessary change and promised to let the new council evolve into a single unity.

"We need to go into this together as a group and make sure business have the fundamentals to do business."

Cr Stocker leapt on to a platform of transparency in council and fair representation for all Tablelanders.

"I will offer strong representation and I will not be locked in an ivory tower," he said.

The debate was kicked off by Cr Tom Gilmore and he made it clear failure was not an option for the newly formed council and that communication was the key.

Mareeba Mazda and Mitsubishi car dealership owner David Mete said the meeting had been informative and had helped to clarify where his vote would fall on March 15.

"As a local business owner it was really important I knew where all potential mayors stood,’’ he said.

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