However, at least the Independent Commission Against Corruption findings had removed the corrupt element, he said, leaving the city to proceed confidently into the future.

"Those who have done the wrong thing deserve to have their backsides kicked from here to kingdom come," Mr Campbell said.

"I am offended by the revelations; I'm angry with them.

"The findings that ICAC have come up with demonstrate disgraceful behaviour ... that is so far out of community standards it is absolutely unacceptable."

The former mayor of Wollongong (1991-99), who was born and raised in the Illawarra, said the community had been "slighted" by the activities uncovered by ICAC.

"There can be no doubt that our community's reputation has been sullied.

"But the city has recovered.

"What this means is all the people who did the right thing can confidently get up and get on with continuing to drive our community forward, to build a strong community."

Mr Campbell declined to comment on the impact the inquiry had had on the Labor Party after findings of corruption against ALP kingpin Joe Scimone and members Val Zanotto, Kiril Jonovski, Zeki Esen and Frank Gigliotti.

He said appropriate action had been taken in suspending their party membership.

"In our community we take a lot of people on trust and, where that trust was broken, that's where you've got to take appropriate action."

Member for Kiama Matt Brown expressed confidence in the "open, robust system" that had "weeded out the undesirables".

He was saddened by the impact the saga had had on the Illawarra and its people.

"Wollongong has a good reputation," he said.

"There will be some characters in every town, every city, and what everyone needs to do is promote everything that's good about the region.

"There's a lot more good than there is bad.

"I certainly don't think it's a tarnish on the region as a whole."