The local Liberal selection committee also endorsed Campbelltown councillor Jai Rowell as its candidate for the state seat of Wollondilly at the meeting. Cr Rowell was the only nominee.

Liberal MLC Charlie Lynn said Mr Farmer had disconnected himself with the community when he made his controversial move to Mosman and his time was up.

``If Pat didn't want to live in Macarthur anymore, how could he represent his community?'' he said.

``I think Russell, who lives in the area, will be a magnificent representative he is a leader, he is strong and he will fight for Macarthur.''

Cr Matheson, of Blairmount, a Campbelltown councillor who has been employed by NSW Police for 24 years, said politics was a late career change.

``This will be a huge challenge and I am looking forward to bringing local issues to federal level,'' he said.

``The community needs help especially with the approval of developments such as Leafs Gully.''

Cr Matheson said he wished Mr Farmer well.

``There has never been a personality clash between me and Pat,'' he said.

Mr Farmer said he would continue to work for Macarthur and would support Mr Matheson to retain the seat for the Liberal Party.

Cr Rowell said he was looking forward to taking on Labor's Phil Costa in the seat of Wollondilly at the next state election.

``I will be reminding people that a vote for Phil Costa will be a vote for the same broken Labor Government,'' he said.

Mr Costa said he was not surprised that Cr Rowell would be the candidate.

``I'll continue my focus to deliver to the people of Wollondilly,'' Mr Costa said.

``I'm looking forward to listening to his policies and what he's offering the people of Wollondilly ... what they [the Liberal Party] have that's different to what we're offering.''

Wollondilly mayor Col Mitchell said he had no problem with Cr Rowell running for the seat but he would have preferred a candidate who lived in Wollondilly.

``Jai will certainly understand the council's situation because he's been a councillor at Campbelltown,'' Cr Mitchell said.

``If he gets in I'm sure we will work closely with him, because he certainly understands the needs of councils.''