Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery isn't letting age or health issues stop him from launching another tilt at the top job.
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On Thursday, the 70-year-old announced his intention to run again, a year after suffering a heart attack.
"Put it like this - I'd rather die with my boots on," Cr Bradbery said.
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"I'm not going to be ossifying in the back room of my house watching telly 24/7. I've got a lot yet to give. Yes, thank goodness for medical science but the doctors reassured me and I've spoke to my medical consultants - they said, 'yeah, well go for it'."
Cr Bradbery will be part of the Wollongong Independents team, which also includes sitting councillor Dom Figliomeni as well as Louise Meyrick and Terri Gallagher.
Cr Bradbery said being independents meant they did not answer to any party.
"It's very important that our residents make sure that we don't have one party that dominates council," he said.
"Once that happens we'll get ourselves back into the situation prior to 2008 where there was a group of councillors who ran the show and the council got itself into difficulties.
"One of the good things about the period that I've been there is no one group dominating council."
The group's policy agenda included advocating for the completion of Memorial Drive to link up to Bulli Pass, supporting the re-opening of the city's nightlife and working to ensure better use of the rail corridor that runs through the city.
"One of the biggest concerns that I have is that we have a rail spine right down the centre of our city and it's so underutilised," he said.
"No wonder we have congestion on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, no wonder we have difficulties getting in and out of the city because we do not adequately utilise the commuter opportunities that we have."
He felt his track record was evidence of why he should get another term.
"I think the city has progressed immensely. We've attracted a lot of investment - you only have to look at the skyline and the amount of attention that Wollongong has from the state and commonwealth governments."
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