"It has been a privilege and an honour to represent the community over that time," he said.

"17 years is a long time and it was a decision made with the family in mind, I lost my Dad in 2018 from old age but it was unexpected and then my sister in 2019 so I would like to spend more time with the family."

Mr McAndrew has been in the public eye for over 40 years, having to stand for election in the Miners Union.

"It's a funny story actually on how I came to be on council, but I stood on a ticket as number four for Neville Castle in 2004 and then four out of the five of us got on, I never expected it and I was very fortunate to stand with exceptional councillors," he said.

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Mr McAndrew said he has seen some amazing things in his time on council, including the integrated hospital and the Jim Robson Aquatic Centre.

"I think I've done good for the community, and the community has been good to me and my family," he said.

"I think I kept getting voted in because of my understanding of the coal industry and I've lived here my whole life, I did all my schooling here and I have knowledge of what's needed in the community."

Mr McAndrew is particularly proud of his work with the Clarence Transfer System which has drought-proofed the Lithgow area.

"I was re-elected in 2016 with a focus on mental health, and I believe we achieved that to make more people aware and we gained headspace in the area," he said.

"I won't get to see it as a councillor but we are slowly getting sewerage for Cullen Bullen, bringing them into the 21^st century."

Mr McAndrew said it was imperative that council focus on a push for more full time jobs.

"We never recovered from losing 600 jobs when the Wallerawang Power Station closed, so jobs needs to be our first, second and third priority," he said.

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"We need to replace those jobs otherwise this town will die, Lithgow Council can't create jobs on that level, it's impossible, it is up to private and government companies to facilitate that."

Mr McAndrew said it has been a tough few years for council with unpredictable weather including the 2018 storm, the 2019 bushfires, COVID-19 lockdowns and more.

"I completely understand rate payers frustrations and council does need to focus on their core activities; roads, water, footpaths and infrastructure," he said.

"There has been a lot of cost shifting lately including a 24 per cent increase on payments in regards to Fish River which has had a terrible impact on council and makes it hard."

Mr McAndrew said that it was sad to see the vilification of coal in the last 10 years.

"Little thought is given to the families they support, they feel like they have been left behind. It is especially hard for the underground miners because it becomes their life, I've worked with great federation members, it's a way of life and to see it come to an end will be sad," he said.

It has been a difficult last two terms for Mr McAndrew, who has noticed that Lithgow people are worried about the uncertain future of the town.

"We are fighting for survival, unless something is set up for jobs people will worry, we are still an industrial town and need to utilise that," he said.

"Road and rail is very important for Lithgow, it is vital and we need to have the best road and rail access to Sydney to encourage business to relocate and live here, we have some residents living here and working in Western Sydney which is good but we need jobs here."

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Mr McAndrew said looking back on his time in council, he wouldn't do anything differently.

"I think we as council were reactive to what was happening at the time, so there is nothing I would change. I'm happy and comfortable with what I achieved and how we progressed," he said.

The past eight to 10 years have been a real challenge for the councillor, irrespective of who was on council.

"We've faced some tough challenges but there are more ahead, when Mt Piper Power Station inevitably closes," he said.

"What people don't understand is miners move to their industry and they take their families with them, so that's our nurses, doctors, retail staff and more.

"Our tourism office has done a great job but it isn't enough to get more residents out here, so Council needs to look at life after the mine closes.

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"If coal stops that impacts the railway, there is a big flow on effect for other businesses that aren't thought of."

Mr McAndrew said he wanted to thank the staff of Lithgow City Council for being amazing colleagues during his time on council.

"I've worked different roles and they've all been good and they don't get credit, they get a lot of criticism but they do a great job," he said.

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