Nuatali Nelmes questions elections delay

NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock on Saturday confirmed the election date had been pushed back from September 4 to December 4 for all NSW councils except Central Coast Council, which is in the hands of an administrator.

Ms Hancock made an order last month postponing the election requirements for Central Coast for 12 months after the date of that order.

Council elections had already been postponed 12 months from September 2020 due to the pandemic.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes questioned the need for a second postponement, saying every other state could manage COVID-safe elections during the global pandemic.

"We are six weeks from when the election was meant to be held (after a 12 month delay)," she said.

"Elections could have proceeded as originally planned in regional NSW and places like Newcastle with additional COVID safe measures in place.

"Other states have held their elections during the pandemic - there was a by election held in Brisbane yesterday."

However, Councillor Nelmes said the council would continue to deliver 'stable and consistent leadership'.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said while the additional delay was disapopinting, the community's safety must come first.

"It's disappointing that the elections have been postponed again, but we will continue to work together on building on the many achievements we've delivered in recent years."

Independent advocacy organisation Local Government NSW has urged the government to commit to holding "COVID safe" council elections before year's end.

"COVID safe local government elections must be held by the end of the year, to uphold democracy and ensure renewal," LGNSW President Linda Scott said.

"Public health and safety must always come first, but we do not want to reach a situation in which democracy delayed is democracy denied.

"This latest three-month deferral comes on top of an existing deferral of 12 months from September 2020, with no guarantee further delays won't be incurred. Delaying elections further is a risk to democracy."

Cr Scott said a significant number of existing councillors, who had already been asked to extend their term by 12 months, had already chosen not to stand for a further term.

"The need for local government leaders has never been greater, as communities and their local economies struggle with the impact caused by going into, out and back into lockdown again," she said.

"Regional NSW local governments are particularly eager for safe NSW elections to proceed, with many areas of NSW without a single COVID exposure.

"Why should the rest of NSW have to suffer because of COVID cases in Sydney?"