The 74-year-old has worked in local government for 27 years as part of the former Greater Taree City Council and MidCoast Council.

If given another opportunity by voters he has no desire to slow down.

"I love my community and my job," Cr West said.

Cr West was one of 11 councillors elected in 2017 following the amalgamation of Great Taree City, Great Lakes and Gloucester Shire councils.

Their tenures were extended by 12 months after the election was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cr West's role as mayor and Cr Claire Pontin's role as deputy mayor were subsequently extended.

The top lesson Cr West has learnt as a councillor was to support the State and federal governments.

"Local government is not a government as such, it's a voice for the people and delivers on the State and federal governments promises," Cr West said.

"Since I've become mayor, I don't know any council in NSW that has worked more closely with both State and federal governments.

"We were fortunate as a council because we worked closely with them and put things in place to build strength in our communities and overcome bushfires, flood and drought."

Anyone in local government has to work with the authorities irrespective of political affiliations.

"It doesn't make a difference if you're an independent or working with a political party... you're not working for a political party, you're working for the community," Cr West said. Several councillors have allegiances to the Nationals or Liberal parties while Dr David Keegan and Claire Pontin were elected in 2017 under the Country Labor banner.

A highlight of Cr West's term was council's obtainment of roads funding from the State and federal governments "at a level never seen in the area before."

The council is still faced with a hefty infrastructure backlog.

"We are slowly getting on top of it - we inherited an incredible asset deficit from all three councils and we've cut that in half in a short period of time," Cr West said.

He responded to claims residents weren't getting value for their rates.

"We are a $300m company, our rates are $85m," Cr West said.

"We work very hard to generate the rest of the funds to deliver what we can in parks, gardens and auxiliary services like libraries, entertainment and swimming centres. These are the things people don't consider."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Bookmark www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au/