In an interview conducted before the release of this week's damning corruption report, Mr Oxley said he believed growth would continue to go in reverse unless senior officers displayed some leadership.

"This city in the planning area is going to go significantly backward unless there is some leadership displayed by the senior executives or the current general manager," he said.

General manager David Farmer declined to respond to the comment yesterday.

Mr Oxley also said he was considering turning his back on Wollongong, the town of his childhood, after being questioned by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

"I guess I have been mentally damaged and dispirited, but part of the reason for that was because when I left the council I had ahead of me another career which has dried up."

This week ICAC found Mr Oxley's conduct increased the likelihood of corruption occurring in the council. In its report, the commission said he overlooked critical planning issues during his assessment of developer Frank Vellar's Quattro development and turned a blind eye to Mr Vellar's relationship with former planner Beth Morgan.

Mr Oxley rejects the findings and is considering taking legal action to clear his name.

It was the second time Mr Oxley was criticised by ICAC.

After its first inquiry into the council in December 2007, ICAC found Mr Oxley's conduct "fell below the standard expected of a principal officer of a public authority" after he took a month to report a bribery complaint and inadvertently informed a developer about a bribery allegation.

The inquiries have taken their toll on Mr Oxley who's been shunned by colleagues.

"Some people that I used to have social engagements with, I don't have personal social engagements with anymore," he said. "It has cost me my position (as chairman) at (insurance company) ahm."

On Thursday, Mr Oxley's reputation was dealt a further blow when he was blocked from taking up a position on the board of the Horizon Credit Union.

Horizon company secretary Jon Stanfield said in light of the report of corrupt conduct, "this committee has determined ... Mr Oxley is not eligible to stand for director election".