They are nothing if not resilient.

After losing their seats in the WA Parliament in March, eight former state MPs have thrown their hats in the ring to put their popularity to the test once more.

They are among a record number of candidates who have nominated for this month's local government elections — 1146 in total, according to the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC).

And while it may not be as prestigious or financially beneficial as being a member of parliament, the former MPs are quickly discovering the battle to get elected to council is every bit as tough.

In the City of Joondalup, former party room colleagues turned foes, Rob Johnson and Albert Jacob, are in an eight-way tussle to become mayor.

Ex-local government minister Paul Miles is seeking a return to the City of Wanneroo, as is former speaker and Mount Lawley MP Michael Sutherland in City of Perth.

One-term Balcatta MP Chris Hatton has nominated for the City of Stirling, while former Swan Hills MP Frank Alban has put his hand up in the City of Swan.

Further south, ex-Southern River MP Peter Abetz is standing for election in the City of Gosnells and former Upper House MP Alyssa Hayden is for City of Kalamunda.

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Not everyone is relishing the prospect of former MPs taking seats in council chambers — with some raising concerns about the further politicisation of local governments, and others taking to social media to suggest the candidates are seeking a cure for relevance deprivation syndrome.

It certainly flips the script from the not-uncommon trend of political parties of all persuasions using local government as a breeding ground for aspiring MPs.

Premier Mark McGowan, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Perth MP John Carey, among others, all had stints in local government.

Rob Johnson

Rob Johnson is running against long-term adversary and ex-Liberal minister Albert Jacob. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

Rob Johnson, 73, said he had a wealth of experience to offer after 25 years in public life.

"So many people have come up to me since I've left parliament and said 'Rob, please run for mayor, we need a good mayor up here'," the long-time Hillarys MP said.

"I'm not using this as a springboard to go back into parliament, like most of the other candidates are."

Mr Johnson said many residents were unhappy with the current mayor and other councillors, who he accused of running roughshod over the community.

"People deserve better," he said.

"I am not influenced by any business interests, political interests, or religious interests, and those last two go hand in hand in this area."

Mr Jacob declined to be interviewed.

Michael Sutherland

Michael Sutherland says he'll consider running for lord mayor of Perth if he's elected. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

The former speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Michael Sutherland, said he wanted to return to his old stamping ground — the City of Perth, where he served five years as deputy lord mayor — to help restore its good reputation.

If successful, the 62-year-old said he would consider running for lord mayor if Lisa Scaffidi lost her fight to overturn an 18-month suspension for failing to disclose travel and gifts.

"You never know what opportunities present themselves in local government," he said.

"If an opportunity comes up, I think I should take it.

"I'm not all that old and I still think I've got things to offer and good ideas."

Mr Sutherland said his focus would be on "rebadging" the city and drawing people back.

"A lot of people are not coming into the city anymore, they're complaining about very high parking costs," he said.

Alyssa Hayden

Alyssa Hayden says she wants to make a contribution before returning to state politics. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

Alyssa Hayden, 47, said losing her 'safe' East Metropolitan Region seat in the Upper House was a massive shock — and while she hoped to return to parliament one day, she also wanted to make a meaningful contribution in the meantime.

"The best way after a loss is to pick yourself up and go at it a hundred miles an hour," she said.

"I know I can actually do the job and do it very, very well.

"We need to lift the bar out at Kalamunda, we need to get a bit more professionalism in there, we need to get a bit more transparency in there and we also need to deliver for the people who live and vote.

"You don't get into public life for your own personal ego, you actually get in because you want to deliver."

Chris Hatton

Self-confessed "suburban person" Chris Hatton says he wants to give people a voice. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

Chris Hatton, 60, won the safe Labor seat of Balcatta in 2013 but lost it four years later when the tide turned against Colin Barnett.

He said it made sense for former MPs to gravitate to local government because so much of their time as politicians was taken up with council issues — like planning, street verges, parking and pedestrian safety.

"It's not just because we've lost our seats. We've got passion and belief and with those two things you can go anywhere," he said.

"I've always been what you might call a suburban person. I believe in suburbs being strong, vibrant, healthy and safe.

"If people need a voice, I'll be their voice … it's important."

Mr Hatton said ratepayers were most upset about the council spending $26 million on a Scarborough Beach pool while the suburbs were left wanting.

Peter Abetz

Peter Abetz says he wants to continue to serve the people. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

Peter Abetz, 64, was a pastor for 25 years before his election to parliament in 2008.

He is currently running two campaigns — seeking election as a Gosnells councillor while also heading the "No" campaign in WA for the Coalition for Marriage.

"I really enjoyed public life," Mr Abetz said.

"I love the interaction with people and helping people. That was the part I enjoyed most, more so than parliament.

"I see this as an opportunity of continuing to serve the people that I've gotten to know so well.

"A few issues concern me — things like the Bush Forever sites in our areas, they tend to become rubbish dumping areas and yet they're absolutely magnificent with biodiversity and bird life.

"I'd love to see them developed to have walking paths, bird watching facilities, so that schools can use them for nature study and so that people can just enjoy nature."

So what about the actual vote?

The WAEC is running elections for 89 of the state's 139 local governments, with voting set to close on October 21.

Voting in the elections is not compulsory, with the average participation rate in the 2015 polls equalling 27.5 per cent.