The former mayor was struck down with the rare Guillain-Barre syndrome in December 2010.

Cr Campbell said he was excited to be returning to work.

"I am delighted at the prospect of returning to full participation in council matters," he said.

"I will do my utmost as a councillor to represent residents from the Eppalock Ward and indeed the whole of the City.

"I plan to make myself available to ratepayers to discuss any issues that are of concern to them.

I am available for residents to contact me by phone 5434 6203 or email r.campbell@bendigo.vic.gov.au."

Bendigo mayor Alec Sandner said he was pleased to see Cr Campbell return.

"I expect his return to be quite straightforward because he has kept himself informed with all council matters while on leave and has been a regular listener to Council meetings on Phoenix FM," he said.

"It is recognised that Cr Campbell is still undergoing rehabilitation and recovering from an extremely serious illness, so he will naturally have to balance his work and recovery."

For more, see tomorrow's Bendigo Advertiser.