“Defeat, disgrace, disease and death” says the former Greater Taree City mayor, who next Wednesday attends his final council meeting prior to the September 8 election, which he will not contest.

He is one of three councillors retiring after lengthy terms, along with Wingham-based Cr Mal Marks and Cr Mave Richardson.

Cr Loftus was first elected in September 1995, and after being re-elected for his second term became mayor for four-and-a-half years, returned again as a councillor four years ago.

For nine years he held the position of chairman of council’s former planning and building committee, and for eight-and-a-half years was one of council’s three delegates to MidCoast County Council (MidCoast Water).

This week, with the countdown on before his last council meeting next Wednesday, Cr Loftus took time out to reflect on past, present and future councils.

“I want to thank the people who voted for me,” he said. “It’s been a most interesting time... a huge learning curve... and especially my years as planning and building committee chairman. They were fantastic times, with so much going on.”

Cr Loftus said he was very pleased to “have been there” for development application processes involving the new suburbs of Harrington Waters (“half of Harrington hadn’t happened”), Figtree Hill at Hallidays Point, and Manning Waters at Taree Estate.

One of his biggest regrets has been not seeing the Harrington aged care project get off the ground.

“The economic downturn has affected Greater Taree so much. Everything now has the brakes on,” he said.

He laments the fact that Port Macquarie has taken over as the progress capital of the Mid North Coast, saying its ability to develop around its river mouth and the ocean makes a difference.

“I am envious of Port Macquarie. Once upon a time all the area’s politicians lived in Taree or Wingham, now they live in Port Macquarie.”

Cr Loftus said he misses the days of the old councils, led by people such as Ralph Metcalfe and John Hackney.”I miss the camaraderie, and the great stoushes we used to have. But it was always good healthy debate, and afterwards we’d have a drink together and everything would be normal.”

He regrets that these days, councillors aren’t close to council’s senior officers, describing it as “the big divide”.

“I’m a big believer in community workmates achieving results for their community counterparts. If you can’t get together with the staff to sort out the community’s issues, and then sit down to a meal and a drink together afterwards, how do you expect to communicate? I feel today that there is something missing.”

He fears for the future of councils like Greater Taree, blaming the “negativity” of State governments for our failing infrastructure and growing financial needs.

“They’re drip feeding us,” he said. “The biggest challenge today is basic infrastructure - balancing the rates against the budget needs.

“I believe councils should all be getting a share of the GST, and that would make them more sustainable. If we keep going downhill the way we are now, we’re all going to be absolutely unsustainable.”

He cites the special cases of Kyogle and Greater Taree, the two NSW councils with the largest number of timber bridges. “Both have enormous areas to look after, more rural roads and bridges, and they are becoming impossible to fund.

“Putting working class people’s rates up each year is not the answer.

“By contrast, just look at Canberra and the infrastructure it has... it’s just dripping with wealth. And when you see Canberra giving millions of dollars in overseas aid, and helping boat people, you wonder why money like this can’t come to help out our own people in regional areas of Australia.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am compassionate, but I believe we’re not looking after our own first.”

Cr Loftus does not believe amalgamation is the answer for groups of local councils, such as Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester.

“If you have three unsustainable councils and they amalgamate, what are you left with? One very large unsustainable council.”

Nor does he believe an administrator would be any better for any particular council.

“In the end they have to do the same job as councillors, and it just takes away the democratic side of things. It’s a great democracy we live in, and I believe the decisions made by councils have to come from councillors, its elected representatives.”

Cr Loftus said he will definitely retain his interest in council “and naturally, what is happening in the business world.”

He will also retain his two flourishing fresh chicken outlets at Taree City Centre and Manning Mall, where he works daily alongside his wife Narelle and their 16 staff.

“I’d also hope to join an organisation such as Rotary or Lions when my council duties are over, as I think they do a fantastic job for the community. Council would be lost without them, and I can’t help but admire them.”

For the immediate future, however, he and Narelle are overjoyed that son Matthew, his partner Jenna and their 13-month-old daughter Ellie have arrived this week from Canada, for a three week stay. Eddie and Narelle travelled to Canada in February to meet their first grandchild, but the next three weeks will give the opportunity of well deserved family time.