Yesterday afternoon the community board that represents Dunedin’s southern coast picked up its first candidate to fill six vacancies.
Nominations close at noon tomorrow.
Scott Weatherall, who has served on the board for seven terms, spanning 24 years, including 12 years as its chairman, confirmed, along with two other board members, he was not seeking re-election.
"It's been a great old ride, but it's time for somebody else to take the lead now," Mr Weatherall said.
"I'm gutted that we haven't had more interest in the board at this point.
"I'm still really, really, really hopeful we'll get at least six."
Mr Weatherall joined eight-term board member Keith McFadyen and three-term member Christina McBratney as they announced on the community board’s social media they were not standing earlier this week.
Mr Weatherall said yesterday he understood the board’s other three incumbents — Paul Weir, Pim Allen and John Moyle — would run for re-election.
He had spoken to about eight people who were interested in standing for the community board to give them his view on what the role entailed.
Despite not winning every battle, it was a role that enabled people to fight for their community.
The board had tried to stop all mining and quarrying at Jaffray Hill.
While the community managed to ensure the landscape was preserved, it was not without significant legal struggles.
His second regret was about the Dunedin City Council’s planned Smooth Hill landfill.
Not only had he suffered abuse as an emissary of the council from some within the community, he felt there remained tension between himself and the council.
Council staff, councillors and the mayor knew he was advocating on behalf of the community "that we should not be building this tip for multiple reasons".
"The board advocated unanimously that we need a thorough public communication process to be followed, and personally, I don't think that that was ever done.
"The council has never come to the Brighton community, showing graphics and shared what their plan is.
"My biggest thing is that I still do not feel that the council provided the community with a fair and reasonable community consultation."
Yesterday afternoon, Lianna MacFarlane, who has also put her name forward for the mayoralty and city council positions, was the only candidate for the community board.
