The Coastal Ward councillor, who looks after Princetown, Port Campbell and Simpson said the decision was made with "some regret".

"It is with some regret, but I am finishing as councillor at this election. I have been offered a job at Moyne Shire which I have accepted," he said.

"I will not re-contest the election in October and I would like to give the community time to encourage suitable candidates.

"I'm proud to leave the shire in a financial state that is the envy of every council in Victoria."

Cr Illingworth is a former police whistleblower, and swapped gangland crime-fighting for garlic farming in the shire in 2015.

He came to national attention during Melbourne's gangland war and went on to work in the force's ethical standards department, helping to root out corruption.

Mr Illingworth was bashed and threatened by corrupt police and eventually left the police force after speaking out about police corruption on the ABC series Australian Story.

He stood for council in 2016, telling The Standard at the time his background gave him unique skills to offer as a Corangamite Shire councillor.

He also sought Liberal Party pre-selection for Western Victoria in 2009.

He said his greatest achievement on council was getting the $4 million council debt paid back in 2017.

"We are debt-free, and have created jobs and economic activity during this economic recession through ideas and partnerships rather than a ratepayer funded cash-splash," he said.

"The debt-free financial status is worth its weight in gold at this time. It gives the next council the capacity to accelerate its way out of recession.

"I've secured over $7 million for the streetscape at Port Campbell and hundreds of thousands have been earmarked across projects elsewhere in the Coastal Ward. They will come to fruition for the next councillor.

"But more needs to be done. Economically, Coastal ward has been smashed by COVID-19, so council stimulus funds must be spent on the coast and not 'floodlighting the Camperdown clock tower for $80,000' as was mentioned the other day."

When not carrying out council roles, Mr Illingworth works as a motivational speaker.

He said he was thrilled to be a finalist in the 'Emerging Political Leader' award, a national, all tiers of government award.

"Especially being a local government councillor in a solo country ward, and not mayor," he said.

"Nevertheless it's time to move on and I look forward to more time with my kids, being out of the spotlight, off social media and doing my best at my new role at Moyne Shire."

Fellow councillors Neil Trotter, Lesley Brown and Helen Durant have indicated they will not stand for the next election either.

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