Cr Clark is in his first term at the council and confirmed today he would stand for the mayoralty in October, but would not be seeking re-election as a councillor.
It's a surprise announcement, given during the past year Cr Clark has said he would not contest the election, citing stress and frustration with the progress of the council.
In March this year he resigned as deputy mayor, but days later withdrew this after being convinced by Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt to stay on.
Cr Clark has been a vocal critic of the council through his role as the spokesman of the Invercargill Ratepayers Advocacy Group and was the most voted for councillor in the last election.
Others seeking to become mayor are fellow councillors Ian Pottinger and Rebecca Amundsen, Southland District Mayor Gary Tong and Bluff community board member Noel Peterson.
Sir Tim would also seek another term.
Cr Clark said he had emailed Sir Tim about his decision but had not heard back.
He said he believed it was a very important moment for Invercargill City Council as it needed new blood and real leadership - especially with proposed Local Government reforms.
“The next three years are imperative, as I am forecasting that the current Government review of the Future of Local Government will result in the amalgamation of at least three of the four Southland councils - so the time for Invercargill to position our city as the ‘must visit’ provincial city in New Zealand is now."
