The long-serving councillor and University of New England academic is hoping to return Labor’s vote in the seat to “respectable levels” following disastrous results at recent elections.

“Winning is unlikely, but I think making a strong input into the vote will be a good sign, both here in the electorate and it might even have some resonance in Macquarie Street of Labor showing its face again,” he said.

Cr Beyersdorf is the first person to nominate for Labor preselection since the party’s process began on Monday.

He has been a councillor in Armidale for 21 years and previously represented Labor for the federal seat of New England in the 1996 election.

“Having lived in the Northern Tablelands for most of my life, I feel I am well able to represent the aspirations and concerns of residents if elected,”Cr Beyersdorf said.

“I think I’ve got a good feel for the region as a whole and, while I need to do my homework on state issues, I’ve kept my finger on the pulse on the issues with the current state government,” he said.

Cr Beyersdorf identified public sector cuts, coal seam gas exploration and hunting in national parks as key issues he would drawn on in his campaign.

“The government promised decentralisation, but instead they are giving us job cuts with local offices closing and massive cuts to services for farmers, schools and health,” he said.

Cr Beyersdorf will keep his position at Armidale Dumaresq Council during the election campaign, but would need to resign if elected as the member for Northern Tablelands.

Armidale mayor Jim Maher said he took his hat off to Cr Beyersdorf over his nomination.

“It takes some courage to run for state government and it's a big call when you look at the Labor results of past elections,” he said.

“I have a good working relationship with Herman – he's spent a number of years in local government and you have take your hat off to him for running.”

NSW Labor is preparing to devote strong resources to the byelection campaign, with Opposition Leader John Robertson releasing a statement attacking the Coalition over regional neglect.

“The National Party in government has let down the people of the Northern Tablelands and presided over an unprecedented $3 billion cut to hospitals and $1.7 billion cut to schools,” he said.

Cr Beyersdorf was supported on Wednesday by Labor MLCs Steve Whan and Mick Veitch, who were in Armidale for the Building Regional Australia Summit. 

Mr Veitch said voters could expect little support from a Nationals representative in state parliament.

“Whoever it is that runs for the National Party will do what all other National Party MPs do; whatever their Liberal masters tell them to,” he said.

Nominations for Labor preselection close on April 22.

If another person nominates for the position, branch members – there are about 100 in the electorate – will determine a candidate for the party before the byelection.