WITH the upcoming Southern Downs Regional Council elections to be run via postal vote, some residents are concerned the messages of candidates in this year's elections will go unheard.

To combat this, one Southern Downs couple has taken the opportunity to put candidates and residents in one room to give potential councillors a platform where their voices will be heard.

SOS the Voice of Ratepayers and Residents of Southern Downs and the Granite Belt is organised by Stanthorpe couple Sue and Bob Johnson and has arranged meetings to give voters an opportunity to meet and question some of the councillor candidates to decide who they will support in the March 19 council elections.

The meetings are being held across the council region.

Meetings in Ballandean and Maryvale last week were attended by residents eager to meet the new candidates.

"We decided that we would support candidates who are prepared to agree to put into play a set of principles we feel are essential to get our council working for our communities," Mr Johnson said.

"We have met with a number of people to discuss whether they are prepared to agree with our most important principles for putting our communities first."

Mr Johnson said current councillors were yet to approach the group to discuss their policies.

"We have agreed to offer our group's support to some of the new candidates," he said.

"Currently we support five candidates from around the region, including Stanthorpe, Allora/Goomburra and Warwick area."

The group's principles include a freeze on all "lavish" projects, a freeze on rates for the next 12 months and a return to pre-amalgamation discount periods and rebates.

Other points include more consultations with ratepayers and residents, transparency in council meetings, frequent staff reviews and stricter rules concerning grants, subsidies, borrowing and expenditures.

The group is looking for more candidates who agree with their principles and encourage candidates and residents to take advantage of the platform to have their voices heard.

Meeting times

January 19: Leyburn Hotel

January 20: Karara Tavern

January 28: Allora Commercial Hotel

February 2: Wallangarra School of Arts

February 3: Dalveen Hall

February 9: Killarney Bowls Club

February 10: Stanthorpe RSL

February 16: Warwick RSL

All evenings will start at 7pm and finish at 8.30pm.

Candidates will be given five minutes each to speak