Pesce undecided about staying on as mayor of Sutherland Shire

"At this point I haven't made any decisions about the mayoral position," he told the Leader this week. "I'm still thinking about it and discussing it with my family."

Cr Pesce is believed to have informed Liberal Party officials of his intention to resign following his crushing defeat in the Liberal Party preselection contest for Cook.

Sources said this was something he had planned whether he won or lost preselection, due to the impact on him and his family by "unfair" media reports about his business interests and development issues during the contest.

Attempts were made to talk him out of resigning.

Quitting at this time would be unhelpful to the Liberal Party's campaign to retain Cook.

It might also harm Cr Pesce's chances at some time in the future of succeeding Mark Speakman in the state seat of Cronulla.