Michael Regan says 14 years as a mayor on Sydney's northern beaches meant he had the experience, relationships and local knowledge "to get things done" in the electorate of Wakehurst.
The electorate has been home to current health minister Brad Hazzard for 32 years, with the retiring MP building a 21 per cent margin over Labor.
While his Northern Beaches Council area covers four state electorates, Mr Regan said tossing his hat into the ring for Wakehurst wasn't prompted by strategic thinking or polling.
"I can't afford to do polling. If you've got money to burn, let me know," he told AAP on Friday.
"It was just where I live ... I moved to Forestville, I raised my children, taught them to ride their bikes there and then moved to Dee Why.
"It's my community."
While other independent candidates in the area and local federal member Zali Steggall use the colour teal in their campaigns, Mr Regan will not.
He credited the teals for doing great work engaging their communities but felt the 57,000 voters in Wakehurst already knew him and his orange branding well enough.
"They trust me, I've delivered for them, I've done what I've said," he said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet on Friday batted away claims the Liberals are worried about the seat.
Candidate Toby Williams will win in Wakehurst and "continue our track record in that area", he said.
"We've made significant investments in the northern beaches and that can only happen because of the Liberals and Nationals and our long-term economic plan for our state," Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Regan said he wouldn't look to voting patterns for Ms Steggall in the area, given those polls involved Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison and federal issues.
His campaign will be centred around a "safe hands, smart solutions" slogan with policies including better town planning, increased public transport, more on-demand transport and affordable housing.
Local environmental issues get a run too, with Mr Regan critical of the clearing of bushland for homes at local landmark Lizard Rock and Labor's desire to increase housing development.
"(It's) proof that the two-party system does not serve our community," he said.
Mr Regan dismissed a revived 2014 news story about his mayoral car being a second-hand Jaguar, saying the car ran on biodiesel and was sold by the council for profit.
He's since gotten around in his own second-hand Tesla.
It comes as teal candidates Joeline Hackman and Jacqui Scruby try to wrest the northern beaches seats of Manly and Pittwater from the Liberals' grasp.
Liberal Pittwater candidate Rory Amon on Friday said people were concerned about the cost of living, the environment and improving their way of life.
"The Liberal government not only has a strong record on delivering on major infrastructure, which improves the everyday lives of people in Pittwater, but they have a strong record on climate and other issues our community cares about."
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