Preparations for a by-election are under way as the Clutha District Council calls for nominations for the position of Bruce ward councillor following a vacancy.
Last month, former Bruce ward councillor Bruce McCorkindale resigned, saying he could no longer serve on the council due to his new role as agri manager at the National Bank.
Council corporate services manager Alan Dickson said nominations opened last week and a by-election was planned for February 10 next year. If only one name was put forward, that person would be automatically elected and no by-election would be held.
Mr Dickson said the by-election would cost about $17,000, with the majority of costs being postage fees.
Under local government law, the council must conduct an election process to fill the vacancy as it occurred more than 12 months before the next local three-yearly elections are due in October 2013.
There are 2721 registered electors in the Bruce ward, which covers Clutha from Titri in the north to Lovells Flat in the south. The area includes Milton and Waihola townships and popular holiday spots Toko Mouth and Taieri Mouth.
The elected representative will join Crs Bruce Vollweiler and Gaynor Finch as Bruce ward representatives.
Nominations close at noon on Thursday, December 22.
