On 24 September 2009, Burke lost a motion of no confidence and was replaced as Chairman. In 2010, the New Zealand Government fired Burke, and the remaining Regional Councillors of Environment Canterbury, two years after the previous local body elections. They were replaced by Government-appointed Commissioners and elections for Environment Canterbury were to be held in 2013, but a return to full democracy was delayed until the 2019 local elections. The reason cited for the sacking was due to poor direction, "woeful" performance and governance and an overall collapse of confidence in the organisation. In the 2010 local elections, Burke stood for Christchurch City Council in the Spreydon-Heathcote ward but was beaten by the two incumbents (Sue Wells and Barry Corbett).