Speaking to The Area News, Mr Chugha confirmed he is still planning to run for council, after last year's election was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While the delay was frustrating, Mr Chugha said it has also offered him valuable time to shape his ideas on how to improve Griffith.

"As a member of the Sikh community, I want to bring more culture and diversity to council but I also want Griffith to work as one whole, connected community," he said.

"I want to support the wants and needs of locals and on top of that I want to establish trust between council and the local community."

Mr Chugha highlighted bringing more affordable housing and better career opportunities to Griffith as some of his key goals if he is elected.

"I've got kids. They're going to grow up and they're probably going to go to universities in Sydney or Melbourne," Mr Chugha said.

"And once they finish uni, they will probably never come back to live in Griffith because what do we have for them? I want to change that."

Mr Chugha ran for council in 2016 but fell short of being elected.

He says he has spent the past five years becoming ingrained in the community and working with an assortment of local groups - and he feels like he is experienced enough now to represent Griffith residents.

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As well as being on the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society committee, Mr Chugha is also a director of the Western Riverina Community College and the Country Universities Centre, a vice-president of Meals on Wheels and a member of council's tourism committee and festival and gardens committee.

"I am an IT manager with South Pacific Seeds and last year I bought a farm as well," Mr Chugha said.

"So I think I have enough experience now working with community, corporate and agriculture and those are really what Griffith is all about."

Mr Chugha said he is hoping to offer a new perspective in a council full of experienced members.

"As a young person I think it is good to have experience but you also need to have fresh ideas," he said.

"Griffith is my future and I want to pay back to the community ... I'm ready for it."

Last week, almost all of Griffith's current councillors expressed their desires to run for council again, with a number even eyeing the mayor position.

All NSW local government elections will be taking place on Saturday, September 4 this year.

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