At least four seats on Edward River Council are now available for new councillors, with Harold Clapham confirming he will not be nominating for re-election.
Cr Clapham said he preferred to make way for the younger generation of community leaders to take the council into the future.
He is one of three sitting councillors stepping away from local government at this election. The others are Pat Fogarty and Tarria Moore.
The fourth seat has been vacant since Paul Fellows resigned as councillor and deputy mayor in December.
Current Mayor Peta Betts has not yet declared whether she intends to stand or not, and current Deputy Mayor Marc Petersen has said while he does intend to nominate he must weigh up his work and personal obligations before formally committing.
Crs Shirlee Burge and Linda Fawns are officially registered with the electoral commission to stand, and Cr Shannon Sampson has told the Pastoral Times he intends to nominate.
Cr Clapham said his age was the biggest factor in his decision.
“I may be a little too old, as I would be in my 70s by the end of the next term,” he said.
“However, it’s crucial for the next generation to take ownership of the future of our community and district.
Cr Clapham’s advice for new or potential candidates is to “be prepared for a significantly greater workload than you may anticipate”.
“If you are unsure or have reservations about an issue, draw upon the community for solutions.
“During my term, the most rewarding aspect has been the insights and passion that the community has afforded me.”
Cr Clapham said his hope for the new council is for work on growing the region to continue in collaborative manner.
“I hope for the continuation and implementation of our growth strategy in its current form. Its success hinges on community ownership; if detached from the community, we risk losing valuable ideas, innovation, and adaptability.
“Importantly, I also emphasise fostering a more collegial relationship between the council and the community.
“Let’s move away from an ‘us versus them’ mentality and prioritise much greater mutual respect.”