History shows the South West Trades and Labour Council black-banned work on fluoridation equipment. The issue then sat on the shelf until the State Government last year forced the issue.

Fluoridation was introduced in water supplies for Warrnambool, Allansford and Koroit on September 29 and at least four candidates for the forthcoming elections have vowed to fight for its removal.

Then there's the issue of traffic lights and road safety which some candidates have highlighted.

The lights on Raglan Parade at Fairy and Banyan streets were officially switched on 30 years ago. It didn't take long for police to warn drivers who were making illegal turns and taking shortcuts through service stations.

A few weeks later the city council decided to investigate traffic lights for the CBD at the Liebig-Koroit streets intersection.

Only this week Cr Andrew Fawcett suggested lights be installed at that intersection plus Lava and Timor streets to improve pedestrian safety.

On the subject of lights, it was 30 year ago that Warrnambool's street lights were switched on for all night rather than 1am.

Then there is the regular gripe about CBD parking which has rated a mention in this year's campaign.

In October 1978 then councillor John O'Brien called for a single-deck car park in the public parking area behind what is now Coles supermarket behind Target.

And a council study called for the construction of a 1000-space central car park.

There's still no single-level or multi-level car park and there are suggestions for more off-street parking areas.

The entertainment centre is in need of a revamp, according to some election candidates.

It was 30 years ago that the city council decided to approach then premier Dick Hamer with a proposal to build a $3 million arts complex by renovating and extending the old art gallery and demolishing the old town hall for an 800-seat theatre and 300-seat hall.

Councillors had rejected an alternative site on Cannon Hill.

Now the city council is hoping to get government funding to modernise the entertainment centre.

A funding bid to Canberra last year was refused. City chief executive Bruce Anson told The Standard this week he hoped the revamp idea would go to the new council next autumn.

"After federal money was refused the council's focus has been on getting the harbour pavilion built," he said.

"Then we can turn our attention to the WEC which will be an $8 million project depending on the size.

"We would be looking at enlarging the foyer entrance and back-of-house area. There hasn't been a major overhaul since it was opened in 1982."

Warrnambool's CBD shopping precinct is also on the agenda for some candidates.

It was the same 30 years ago before the Kmart complex was built. Central traders feared the city centre would be hit hard.

However, by September 1978 The Standard reported there were no official objections to the east Warrnambool shopping complex which was built in 1979.

Boat owners are still hindered by harbour silting near the breakwater.

Thirty years ago the breakwater boatramp was closed because of safety concerns and fishermen warned of a move to Port Fairy unless the area was dredged.

The Thunder Point trotting track has been earmarked for closure within four years so the area can be restored to natural vegetation.

Guess what was on The Standard's front page in September 1978?

The Lands Department wanted to stop the trots track from being built on what was a rubbish tip site.

The department also wanted to close the Pickering Point tourist road, ban dogs and horses from sand dunes, reduce the size of Shipwreck Bay caravan park and ban expansion of Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club.

Rates rises will also be a big issue for new councillors, but 30 years ago the city council was considering an eight per cent rise - a far cry from the 5.5 per cent rise this year.

Warrnambool Airport expansion will also be on the agenda. Thirty years ago the landing strip was modernised with a new lighting system which pilots could turn on from the air.

Then there is the issue of rubbish disposal and reducing greenhouse gases.

Thirty years ago there was no regional landfill. The city council decided where to put a new rubbish tip to replace the one at Harris Street where the soccer oval now is.

The south-west will have its own rescue helicopter this year after a long community fight.

However, 30 year ago the then surf life saving club president Bruce Owen said there could be a rescue chopper within a year, if sponsorship could be obtained. Records also show that the Warrnambool Show 30 years ago set a three-day gate takings record of $16,260. The show society considered it second to the Melbourne Royal.

Unfortunately this month's show seems unlikely to be glowing in the spotlight. Organisers this week said entries were well below par. And as high petrol prices are blamed for a drop-off in tourism, savour the thought that 30 years ago Warrnambool motorists were paying only 19.9 cents a litre during a price-cutting war.