After a 50-year-plus career in local government, Cr Petschler has announced that he will not be nominating for a further term on council at the September 10 poll. 

Cr Petschler, 73, said it was a bittersweet decision.

“It’s time to move on and new blood to come in.

“I would like to say thank you to this wonderful municipal community for giving me the opportunity of serving as a councillor for the past eight years, the last four of which I have been the mayor.”

He said Kiama council’s financial future was secure. 

Cr Petschler was general manager of Kiama council from 1986 to 2001. “I have had a long career in local government, stretching back to 1962 and have seen enormous change in that period.” 

Cr Petschler said he would support councillor Mark Honey’s team in the election.