Gilmore MP, and former Wingecarribee Councillor Jo Gash has announced she will resign from the Liberal Party at the end of her current term, when she plans to retire.

A veteran of 16 years in federal  parliament , Mrs Gash made the announcement yesterday at the Nowra  launch of her campaign for Shoalhaven Mayor.

Mrs Gash says if elected to council she will hold down dual roles until the next Federal election, when she will hand in her Liberal membership

Meantime a key member of the business community has come out in support of Mrs Gash and her mayoral aspirations.

Chance Hanlon from the Shoalhaven Business Chamber says Mrs Gash offers a fresh direction, which he believes the city sorely needs