Dubbo Regional Council interim chief executive officer Dean Frost confirmed the election on Monday afternoon.

"Interim acting mayoral arrangements will take immediate effect [from the mayor's resignation], with councillors to elect a new mayor at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, June 3, at 1pm," he said.

Cr Shields said he would be "long gone" by the time the meeting is held and had no plans to attend.

The mayor announced his resignation on Monday after 22 years on council.

He told the Australian Community Media he no longer had the strength to battle against the "ridiculous" accusations against him.

"Most Dubbo people can see how ridiculous they are but I can't fight them back," Cr Shields said.

"In previous years as a councillor or even as a mayor a lot of this would be water off a duck's back. I've had code of conduct complaints in the past and I've lived through it but this time I can't do it."

Cr Shields said his parents now look "10 years older" and he had to ask himself if the job was "almost worth dying for".

"I've got this significant mental illness which almost killed me," Cr Shields said.

He said he would be taking a long time off and was "too sick" to even contemplate running again in September.

"I really don't know what I'm going to do tonight or over the next couple of months really. I've never had a situation in my life before where I have nothing to do," Cr Shields said.

"I know nothing but local government in my life. I've lived it ever since I left school.

"It's interesting, John Howard once said all political careers end in tears. And mine is certainly one of them."

Earlier on Monday, Cr Shields confirmed he will be stepping down this week. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon on his Facebook page.

"The last three months has been a particularly trying time in my life," Cr Shields said.

"Starting with a long hospital stay, unbearable stresses on my family and now [attacks] nearly every day with baseless accusations, has led to my mental health significantly suffering.

"I am told by my doctors I will need a long period to recover.

"In their mind, I cannot recover from a significant mental health episode while ever I am in a high stress role."

It's believed Cr Shields will not be running in the upcoming council elections.

His resignation will be effective as of midday Thursday.

Cr Shields was contacted for comment by Australian Community Media on Monday morning but has not responded.

Deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence was also contacted for comment.

Seven councillors have been calling for the mayor to resign, in addition to Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders.

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