The chair of the Goulburn Liberal Electoral Council had previously considered standing as an independent at the March, 2015 poll.

But work on the local government front and new general manager’s Warwick Bennett agenda has convinced him not to put his hand up.

“(Deputy Mayor) Bob (Kirk) and I had this discussion and we are both committed to another full term on Council,” he said.

“We believe strong political leadership is needed locally to drive this positive change for the community.”

Cr Kettle said with local government reform looming, Goulburn Mulwaree needed to be very strongly placed. He believed he had more to offer by staying on as local political leader.

“We have a very cohesive and community focused team. There are no factions on this council.”

The mayor predicted that Goulburn Mulwaree would not go to the 2016 council election under that name but as an amalgamated or boundary altered entity. He was confident that work to date and Mr Bennett’s input would strongly position Council in any reforms.

Mr Bennett argued that out of the state’s 152 councils, “there were “83 too many.”

He has experienced three amalgamations in his local government career and said each one was positive in achieving better value for money for ratepayers.

“Mayors and general managers have to stop the self protection and think on a wider front about how the community can benefit from strong leadership and a stronger structure to deliver top notch services,” he said.

“It’s not about what’s good for the council but what’s best for the community.