The Goulburn Labor Party branch president announced his intentions three weeks ago, but has pulled out for family reasons.

He has also abandoned plans to a five-member ticket, known as The Progress Group, at the September 10 elections.

In a letter to the editor, Mr Shepherd wrote that family must come first, especially when his children were so young.

"I will continue to work away quietly (or not so quietly) in the community for everyone's benefit, and especially to assist those least able to stand alone," he wrote.

"It is my intention that at either the next council election or if there is a by-election in between, to run for election as I feel I have something to contribute at that level."

He promised to hold Mayor Geoff Kettle accountable, nevertheless.

Mr Shepherd said while the ticket would not be running either, there were two very "fine candidates stepping up to the crease in Peter Finkle and Mark McColl".

Both had been considering joining the ticket.

Once Mr Shepherd decided to drop out, several other intending candidates changed their mind, leaving the ticket short on the required five nominees.

". . .We felt it better to concentrate on getting one or two candidates across the line with our efforts focused," he told the Post.

Mr Finkle, a Woolworths employee, spoke at Monday night's Politics in the Pub.

It follows Mayor Geoff Kettle's decision not to coordinate a ticket at the upcoming election. He and Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk had briefly considered the idea.