A man who is one of the longest continuously serving councillors in New South Wales will today announce whether he will retire or  continue his marathon local government career.

Cr Greg Watson has been on Shoalhaven Council for 38 years, and was the first mayor when the region was declared a city.

He has served 14 years as Mayor or Shire President, and for the last 4 years as been a councillor on the central Shoalhaven's ward two.

Cr Watson has called a media conference for later this morning, where he will announce one of three options....retirement, standing again in ward two or heading up a team for another tilt at the mayoral role.

This year's election is expected to be one of the most hotly contested for years, with Liberal MP for Gilmore Jo Gash running for mayor and last week announcing the formation of " Team Gash " which will  stand in all three wards.

Other teams have also been announced or are  in the process of being formed.