Byron Shire councillor Janet Swain has been confirmed as Labor’s candidate for the state seat of Ballina at next year’s NSW election.

Cr Swain won Labor preselection after contesting the ballot against Alstonville’s Lachlan Hall, a former NBN News cameraman.

Her endorsement sets up a contest with Greens candidate Mandy Nolan for the seat being vacated by retiring three-term MP Tamara Smith.

When Cr Swain announced her preselection bid last month, she said the electorate would benefit from having a representative working directly with the government of the day.

“We need a voice at the table for Ballina and Byron, and I hope to be that voice,” she said.

A first-term Byron Shire councillor, Cr Swain is also well known across the Northern Rivers as a musician, choir leader and event organiser.

She acknowledged when launching her campaign that she was less familiar to voters in the southern end of the electorate and has since been building her connections in Ballina, including joining the Ballina Labor branch and Ballina Concert Band.

The Nationals are expected to meet on Sunday to select their candidate, while Byron councillor David Warth is running as an independent.

The NSW election will be held on March 13 next year.