"Make it marginal" is the catch-cry of Cowper's newest federal election candidate John Arkan.

Mr Arkan is Coffs Harbour City Council's deputy mayor.

The seat on the New South Wales Mid North Coast has been held by the Nationals for 50 years.

"They call it a safe seat, and that's a wonderful lot of words, but it doesn't do anything for resources and infrastructure in our area," Mr Arkan said.

"We pay our taxes and we get nothing back for it.

"If we can make it marginal all of our citizens will benefit."

Mr Arkan is well-known in the Coffs community both as a councillor and a blueberry farmer, who operates a food stall at the Coffs Harbour Produce Markets each week.

He grew up in Woolgoolga, and said he had considered running in the marginal seat of Page.

"With the redistributions, it was a challenge trying to decide which one to go for," he said.

Mr Arkan has previously run on a Liberal ticket for the position of council mayor, but due to a Coalition agreement no Liberal candidate was allowed to run in a seat held by the Nationals.

Farmers 'backbone of our country'

He is yet to detail his policy positions, but Mr Arkan said farmers needed to be at the forefront of every regional candidate's priorities.

"We've got to support farmers," he said.

"They're the backbone of the country ... They face so many difficulties and people are even taking their own lives because we're not supporting them."

He also touched on the importance of renewable energy.

"Why aren't we making headway into renewable energy sources, making that happen out here?" he said.

According to Mr Arkan, the essence of his platform was speaking as a representative for the local community.

"What's important is that I represent the people, not a party," he said.

"Make it marginal. It will make a difference."

Editor's note: This story has been amended to reflect that Mr Arkan is not the first Sikh councillor in New South Wales or Australia.