A shake up for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as Mayor Peter Besseling has stood down.
The local government stalwart has quit early into his second four year term, to pursue a gig as the General Manager of ship building company Birdon Australia from tomorrow.
He says the resignation is effective immediately and has been made due to the inability to juggle both workloads.
Deputy Mayor Lisa Intemann set to cover until a by-election.
Councillor Rob Turner has indicated he will run for the position.