But he will not nominate himself for the mayorship next month.

He told the Advertiser on Monday that staying on the council would help him have a better understanding of local issues.

``The main reason why I may have won Macarthur is because of my involvement with council,'' he said.

``When I door-knocked for my campaign people remembered me and would say things like: `You lobbied for a footpath in front of my home' so that gave me a close connection to this community.

``I'm no longer in the police force because I had to step down. I was in the job for 25 years and it was a hard thing to walk away from.''

Independent councillor Paul Lake who was Cr Matheson's running mate at the last election is now expected to become the new mayor on September 21, to replace sitting Labor mayor Aaron Rule.

Cr Lake will definitely nominate and he should be supported under a power-sharing deal struck several years ago between councillors.

It will be Cr Lake's first time in the chair.

``I would just like to make sure the council continues to head in the right direction, particularly in terms of infrastructure, and I would like to see investments and income increase,'' he said.

Cr Lake, of Kearns, described himself as ``a pretty easy-going person'' with a vision for Campbelltown.

Mayor Aaron Rule said he would miss community events, when his term ended next month. ``But I'd be pleased to see Paul Lake as the new mayor and I will be supporting his nomination,'' he said.