A popular local politician, she has held the seat since 1996, and was returned in 2010 with a 5.7 per cent swing giving her 55.3pc of the two-party preferred vote in the key south coast seat.

“Local government has always had an attraction for me and I believe I can offer the community more through that tier of government,” she said in a statement.

“This does not mean I will be slackening off in any way at all and intend to pursue this government for a better deal for the people of Gilmore as energetically as I always have.”

She has dismissed running for local government on a Liberal platform.

“Local government is about local people and local representation, not party politics.”