The development would include two supermarkets, smaller shops, possibly a bank, 65 apartments and a park and looks set to be a hot topic in the month before the ballot.

The company has sent out a survey to candidates inviting them to make their opinion on the proposed development clear.

"We will be publishing the results of this survey extensively in distributed brochures, the media and in advertisements run in local newspapers,'' the covering letter attached to the survey said.

The approach didn't impress D Ward candidate Darrin Hodges who described the exercise as "cynical and disingenuous''.

"Of course the idea behind this information pack is an attempt to bribe candidates into supporting their proposal by asking candidates to fill in and return the accompanying survey in exchange for free advertising during the council elections,'' he said.

"It merely a cynical and disingenuous attempt by Kirrawee Centre Pty Ltd to play politics in the shire.''

Mr Hodges is identified on the Australian Protectionist Party website as the party's state chairman but has not declared any party affiliation.

Kirrawee Centre Pty Ltd development manager Gary Brown said councillors had decided to make the proposed development an election issue so it was fair to put the opinions of both current councillors and new candidates on the public record.

"It gives us an idea of what the councillors' and candidates' attitudes are,'' he said.

"We did not offer any free advertising.

"The councillors put this on the election agenda so voters have every right to know their thoughts on the matter.''