Meanwhile, Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said he remains undecided about whether he will contest the September 10 poll.

Mr Brown, president of the Kiama branch of the Labor Party said the endorsement to run a ticket was ratified at their meeting last Thursday night. 

The Kiama resident will head up the Community and Labor ticket.

“I am talking to a number of potential candidates to formulate the ticket,” he said of those who would run on the ticket with him. 

In 2008, then NSW Police Minister Mr Brown resigned over allegations – which he denied – that he had danced semi-naked on a couch and simulated sex with Wollongong MP Noreen Hay during a drunken party in Parliament House. Mr Brown was defeated by current Kiama MP Gareth Ward at the 2011 state election. 

Regarding his decision to run for local government, Mr Brown said he was “very concerned that we were nearly forcibly merged”.

He wanted to help ensure Kiama remained a standalone council.

“I’ve been approached by the branch and a number of people in the community to lead the ticket,” he said. 

“We’re opposed to over-development in the town. There are too many ugly boxes built, and built poorly.

“I want to see more events, conferences and arts in the town… to ensure our businesses remain viable.”

Cr Petschler remained undecided about running again. He said he was helping fellow Kiama councillor Mark Honey pull a team together.

“If I run, we’ll run together,” Cr Petschler said. 

“If not, Mark will probably lead the team and I’ll help him put together a program.”

Cr Neil Reilly will lead a ‘Community Voices’ ticket with David Connolly, Kim Elder, David Finlay and Tass Schmidt. 

Meanwhile, Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash has announced her team for the Shoalhaven council elections. Among those on ‘Team Gash’ are talkback radio host Barry McCaffery and long-time journalist Katrina Condie.