ALBURY councillor Murray King has blasted colleagues standing for re-election, saying none of them should be mayor because they are there for "the prestige rather than the work".
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His comments came as he said he would not seek a second term on council, saying he believed it would be a "waste of time" with his 2016 running mates Kevin Mack and John Stuchbery retiring.
"In the cool hard light of day you're there to make a difference but I'm worried a lot of existing councillors will get back in and they'll have a bigger say than what they had before and that will put Albury back 10 years," Cr King said.
Nominations closed on Wednesday for December's poll with incumbents Darren Cameron, Graham Docksey, Alice Glachan, David Thurley and Henk van de Ven entered alongside solo candidate Peter Hood.
There are also teams headed by former councillors Stuart Baker and Daryl Betteridge, a Greens squad led by Ashley Edwards and groups helmed by 2AY announcer Kylie King and osteopath Ross Hamilton.
A fresh team emerged on Wednesday with urban designer Andrew Boyd Barber registering his line-up.
Mr Barber is joined by Lost N Found Barbers co-founder Sarah Watkins, his father Trevor, disability advocate Carmel Star and Lavington bowls stalwart Diann Hartnett.
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He has previously aired concerns over Albury's planning and thought he should act by standing for council.
Meanwhile, Cr King has endorsed Kylie King's team, heralding her small business nous, and hopes she will pursue his bids for houseboats on Lake Hume and a Lincoln Causeway tourist park.
He believes she could be deputy mayor and Mr Baker mayor.
Cr King said Cr Mack had worked 80 hours a week as mayor and he does not believe any of the incumbents re-contesting could do that.
"I've been on the council with those people and I knew them out of the arena of the council side of things and they are definitely there for the prestige rather than the work," he said.
Ms King welcomed the backing of Cr King, who is no relation.
"It's very humbling to have a departing, experienced councillor offering his public support, especially for a new face," she said.
Ms King said she would take an objective approach to the houseboats and park ideas, but noted no vessel operators had raised the lake venture.
