They join councillor Ben van der Wijngaart, who announced in February he would not contest the election.

Cr Fredericks will step down after eight years in local government to devote himself to his growing businesses and young family.

“My business is a lot larger than it was eight years ago and I have two young children who I don’t see enough of,” he said.

“The decision (not to stand) hasn’t been that difficult - I always wanted to serve two terms because I thought that was a reasonable commitment and it leaves the door open for a middle of the road candidate to step up and fill the role.”

Cr Fredericks said he was proud of finishing the Local Environmental Plan and the Pavilion and Kiama Library, but refurbishing the Jamberoo School of Arts and finding a new home for Jamberoo Pre-School was his proudest accomplishment.

“A number of sites were identified and I was able to identify that site (at the school of arts) by working with various groups,” he said.

Cr Fredericks encouraged any “middle of the road candidates” to stand for council in September, but expected new leadership when the time came for those councillors to vote on a mayor.

“I’ve been very supportive of Sandra McCarthy as mayor, but I believe you can stay in too long and the role may change whether she runs or not,” he said.

“It’s not that she hasn’t done a good job, but it’s good to have a change.”

He speculated deputy mayor Brian Petschler could be the logical successor, and while Cr Fredericks had no plans in mind yet, he said he would not rule out returning to public life in the future.

Cr Dare-Ward also announced she would not enter the contest this year so her family could pursue its dream of starting a farm.

Her family has purchased a two-acre mini-farm in the township of Motueka on New Zealand’s south island - councillor Ben van der Wijngaart’s development project, Atamai Village, is part of the township.

Cr Dare-Ward said there was an opportunity to trade produce from her new farm with farms within the carbon-neutral development.

“It would have been fabulous to do it in Jamberoo, but land prices in Jamberoo have been creeping up and up,” she said.

“We’ve been talking about this lifestyle for so long and we wanted to start walking the walk.”

She said she would miss Jamberoo and her friends and family, but would rejoin her eldest son, who is currently attending school in New Zealand.

“The kids are really excited to have animals,” she said.

She said she had enjoyed being a councillor for the past four years and encouraged potential candidates to become involved.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to give back... and work for and with the community,” she said.

“The real emphasis needs to be on sustainability and open and transparent government.”

Currently, it is expected Kiama Mayor Sandra McCarthy and councillors Petschler, Warren Steel and Neil Reilly will stand again, however the make-up of the rest of their tickets is still unknown.

Councillor Peter Bowman said he would stand if Cr McCarthy did and councillor Lexie Wheeler said she was undecided.