Third-term district councillor Lynette Lovett will not seek reelection.
The 70-year-old joins fellow third-term councillor Leen Braam in retiring, and first-term councillor Rob Mackle, who is instead standing for mayor.
Nominations for the triennial local body elections open today and close noon on August 1.
‘‘It’s been a real hard decision to stand down, but we have to get some younger voices around that table,’’ Lovett said.
She had made the decision after talking to family and realising she wanted to take more time for herself.
She served with many volunteer organisations, and also wanted to be able to put more into those groups.
The highlight of her nine years had been the opening of the civic centre and library Te Whare Whakatere last year.
‘‘I’m going to miss council,’’ Lovett said.
Of the remaining six district councillors, Liz McMillan, Tony Todd, Phill Hooper, Russell Ellis and Richard Wilson plan to seek reelection, Carolyn Cameron, is yet to make up her mind.
Cameron said this week she enjoyed being a councillor, but was still weighing that up alongside other challenges in her life, such as work.
She believed she had only missed one district council meeting in her whole two terms.
If she was to stand, she would want to make sure she did not ‘‘shirk my responsibilities’’.
‘‘I take it very seriously, and give it my 100 per cent commitment, and I want to make sure I give it 100 per cent commitment,’’ Cameron said.
Meanwhile, Ashburton farmer Ian Mackenzie has, just yesterday, confirmed he will seek re-election to Environment Canterbury.
Earlier this week, Mackenzie said he was in the process of deciding whether to seek re-election to the regional council.
‘‘I’m not just going to walk away, I want a good person to be able to look after Ashburton’s interests,’’ Mackenzie said.
Mackenzie is one of two regional councillors representing Mid-Canterbury/Opakihi. The other is John Sunckell of Leeston.
Sunckell said he would seek a fourth term.
