In the face of rising costs, Chetty said rates should be frozen and not increase for "at least three years", but would not suggest any specific service areas that could be cut back to cover a rates freeze.
"That's something the team will have to decide once we get to council," he said.
Speaking about motels being used for emergency housing, Chetty said a solution needs to be found before the tourism industry is tarnished "even more than what it is now".
Other candidates chose to not be interviewed by Local Focus.