ALBURY councillor Graham Docksey will retire at the next election.
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The RSL president announced on Wednesday he would depart the council at September's election, joining deputy mayor Amanda Cohn and John Stuchbery.
"There are other things in life which I want to move on with," Cr Docksey said.
"I want to focus more on the RSL and veterans' welfare and get on with a second book which I've got a skeleton prepared for already.
"It's about the 2/23rd battalion and the 318 who died (across World War II)."
Cr Docksey wants more women elected, after having served alongside only two during each of his terms on council since 2012.
"We need a better balance with more women," he said.
"They are 50 per cent of the community in general and should have a better representation.
"They bring a different dynamic to the council.
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"Women are thinkers whereas men sometimes just do the doing stuff.
"That's how I feel, I think they give more thought to decision-making rather just be directed by what their gut says."
Cr Docksey was elected in 2012 and 2016 as the No.2 on the ticket of Alice Glachan.
He was contemplating running his own ticket if he had stood again.
The Vietnam War veteran wants greater regard shown by councillors towards each other.
"The first four years on council it was a good mix of councillors but there was respect," Cr Docksey said.
"This time around over the last five years there has been a lot more disrespect for councillors between each other, that's a shame and I think a new council can correct that."
The 74 year-old cited his work in chairing the local traffic committee and sparking changes as his greatest achievement as a councillor.
In particular, Cr Docksey pointed to successfully lobbying the NSW government for a uniform 60km/h speed along Union Road and increasing bus stops and shelters.
Other feats involved a major $1.35 million upgrade of the Albury war memorial and having funds allocated for a makeover of the World War II bowl also on Monument Hill.
Cr Docksey rubbished the call, made by Cr Stuchbery upon announcing his departure last week, for councillors to have a researcher to assist them.
"The main thing is councillors have to do their homework," Cr Docksey said.
