Long-standing Whittlesea councillor Rex Griffin will retire at the end of the current council term after representing the community for 26 years.
The north ward councillor, who was first elected in 1990, has decided not to contest the October 22 election.
Cr Griffin (pictured) said he was stepping down because he was considering a move to the Mornington Peninsula.
However, he has vowed to remain an active member of the Whittlesea community as his children live in the area.
“It is going to be hard [to retire]. It has become my life,” Cr Griffin said. “But I’ll be around and watching.”
Cr Griffin said he initially stood for election because he wanted to make Whittlesea “a better place for the community”, and help provide more outlets for young people.
The Mernda resident lists his involvement with Whittlesea’s libraries and the establishment of new council offices at South Morang among his greatest achievements.
He is also proud to have remained an independent councillor.
“I listen to the parties, and there is nothing wrong with being in a party, but I feel I don’t need to be tied up in politics,” Cr Griffin said.
“I always tried to get the best deal for the community.”
Cr Griffin, who was elected mayor in 2010-11 and 2012-13, said Whittlesea had changed a lot over the past 26 years. He predicts that growth and infrastructure will continue to be the biggest challenges facing the council.
“I have seen a lot of growth. Growth is fine but you can’t have growth [without] infrastructure. We are about 10-15 years behind.”
