DAVID Brailey has announced he will run as a candidate at the Southern Downs Regional Council election in two months time.

As the founder of the Warwick Christian College, president of the Road Riders for Jesus motorcycle group and with 40 years experience as a school teacher, Mr Brailey is a familiar face in Warwick.

Mr Brailey said he saw serving on council as another way to give back to the community.

"It is a service to the community," he said.

"Yes the council needs to be run like a business but at the same time it should serve the needs of the community."

The former school teacher said he was not daunted by the idea of being in the public eye and possibly attracting criticism as a councillor.

"What do you think you get in schools," he said.

"It's my belief that it is easy to criticise but people need to try and be constructive.

"If you disagree with something then come to the table with a logical alternative."

Mr Brailey worked as a teacher/librarian at Warwick State School for ten years between 2000-2010, with stints at Stanthorpe State High School and Scots PGC College.

Mr Brailey moved to Warwick more than 20 years ago to work at the now closed Slade School.

In 2007, Mr Brailey founded the Warwick Christian College at the same campus location with just seven students.

Nine years later and the school's enrolments have grown rapidly.

With more than 40 years experience as a teacher Mr Brailey said students were at the top of his list of priorities.

"Being in the education system for so long, young people's ideas and education is very important to me," he said.

"I've lived at worked in six different countries now and I like to think I have a pretty good grasp of reality."

Mr Brailey spent five years in the Northern Territory working as a teacher in Aboriginal schools, gaining a wealth of experience and understanding for Aboriginal communities.

"It was a great experience and I learnt a lot," he said.

"One of the lessons I learnt was that Aboriginal communities need to be asked what they want not told what they need."

With so many schools based in Warwick, Mr Brailey said he would hope to see the issue of traffic conditions addressed.

"I would really like to see a 50km/h speed limit extended to encompass the Warwick city limits," he said.

"With so many schools in town there are a lot of children walking to and from school every day and 10km/h lower speed limit could make a huge difference.

"I'm sure there will be people who would disagree but with so many trucks and tourists coming through town it would be a lot safer to have the one speed limit."

Mr Brailey said he did agree with claims that the current council suffered from a 'lack of unity'.

"Unity does not mean that everyone in council should agree with each other but rather that they look at decisions based on merit," he said.

"Voting against a certain decision or proposal does not demonstrate a lack of unity, no councillor should vote for something they disagree with.

"I know I would not compromise my position, I would need to believe that what I am voting for is the best possible solution to a problem."

With the council elections on March 19 clashing with the Warwick Show weekend this year, Southern Downs voters will be spared the pain of trying to get to the ballot box with the introduction of a postal vote system.

Mr Brailey said he hopes the younger residents of the region will remember to enrol.

"Being a postal vote this year young residents need to make sure they are enrolled to have their say and vote for who they want," he said.

Mr Brailey said he will spend the next few weeks informing friends and acquaintances about his decision to run but would restrain from the letter box drop.

"The reactions from people have been really positive," he said.

"I'll be putting more notices around town."