The decision, revealed on Friday, came as one Liberal said she was ready to consider her options, should the party choose to contest.

Liberal Wollongong City Councillor Michelle Blicavs – who ran for the seat of Cunningham at the July federal election –  has fielded numerous questions about vying for the state seat.

Cr Blicavs said she would “continue to serve as a local Liberal” and the decision to contest the byelection was “for the party and the Premier to decide”.

Asked if she had put her hand up and been knocked back because the party didn’t want to run a candidate, Cr Blicavs said: “No, no.”

“I’ve given two months of the year already to show my commitment to the region as a Liberal,” she said. 

“That doesn’t mean that, if I was asked, I wouldn’t consider my options.”  

Within hours of Cr Blicavs speaking to the Mercury, the Liberals’ NSW headquarters confirmed the party wouldn’t be part of the November 12 byelection.

“After consultation within the party, the decision has been taken by the Liberal Party not to contest the forthcoming Wollongong byelection,” a party spokeswoman said. 

Asked why, the spokeswoman referred the Mercury to the original statement.

Labor candidate Paul Scully described the Liberals’ lack of a candidate as “another snub for Wollongong”.

“The Baird government claims they’ve got a proud record, yet they’re not willing to stand up and defend it,” Mr Scully said. 

Meanwhile, a day after Wollongong lord mayor Gordon Bradbery declared he’ll throw his hat into the ring, fellow independent Arthur Rorris was yet to rule out his second tilt at state politics. 

The South Coast Labour Council secretary said he had spoken with Cr Bradbery, but wouldn’t be drawn on whether a decision to run just one independent had been made. 

“We had a good chat about Wollongong and its future,” Mr Rorris said. 

“I’ll make my decision based on my circumstances … and the best interests of the city.”

A third challenger for the seat of Wollongong is set to be revealed this weekend, with the Greens to preselect a byelection candidate.

The minor party’s Illawarra rank and file will meet on Sunday to choose its preferred representative to contest the November 12 poll against Paul Scully (Labor) and Gordon Bradbery (Independent).  

South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris is yet to rule out running as an independent. 

The Liberal Party has confirmed it won’t contest.

Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, and South Coast MP, Shelley Hancock revealed the date of the byelection on Thursday. 

The Wollongong poll will run alongside byelections in the seats of Orange and Canterbury. 

The writs are likely to be issued on September 23.