Labor MLC for Rockdale and councillor of 16 years Shaoquett Moselmane announced his resignation from the council yesterday.
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The council will apply to NSW local government minister Don Page for an order that the vacancy left by Cr Moselmane's resignation not be filled until the local government elections in September.
Councils may make such applications where a vacancy occurs 18 months before an election.
Cr Moselmane has been Australian Labor Party member for 28 years and has held several posts in local branches including secretary and president of the Rockdale State Electorate Council.
A lawyer, Cr Moselmane said it was an ''honour and a privilege'' to serve the people of Rockdale as a councillor and mayor.
He has served as a councillor at Rockdale for 16 years, since 1995 including four terms as mayor most recently in 2009.
He stepped down from mayoralty after his appointment to the NSW upper house.
Cr Moselmane said that he would continue to serve the people of Rockdale in his capacity as a NSW upper house MP.
Among his achievements, Cr Moselmane included protesting against the M5 east polluting stack, council rate rises and assisting Arncliffe resident Joan Coleman, 94, to fight against the closure of Arncliffe’s Commonwealth Bank branch.
He said he was resigning from the council to make way for the new councillors who would be elected at the upcoming local government elections.
It’s been a real challenge, dealing with people on a day-to-day basis on bread and butter issues, about local streets and parks and neighbourhood disputes,'' Cr Moselmane said.
''When I stepped down as mayor I made sure there would not be a by-election.
''We’ve achieved a lot and the city has grown. I hope the new candidates will commit themselves to serving the community.''
