The local government elections scheduled for September will may be held later, following new legislation passed by the NSW government.
Earlier this week Cootamundra-Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister said he thought postponing the elections would be a good idea, if the coronavirus lasted more than three months.
He's now welcomed the government's decision, which allows for the elections to be put off for at least 12 months, and if necessary until the end of next year.
NSW attorney general Mark Speakman announced on Wednesday that the local government Act would be amended to give the minister for local government the power to postpone the elections.
The legislation would also be changed to allow councils to hold their meetings electronically, rather than physically, as a precaution against the virus.
The NSW Opposition last week called for the elections to be put off.
Mayor McAlister commented that if people's movements were restricted past the end of June, it "would only be fair" for them to be deferred.
He said candidates would need to get out and about to see people, and needed to be given a proper time for campaigning.
"If they're not going to be able to do that I don't think the elections should go ahead."
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is expecting a decision before June from the Boundaries Commission about the proposal to deamalgamate.
If the Commission decides in favour of demerging, elections will be held separately for a new Cootamundra and Gundagai shire councils.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said the government would continue to follow the advice from health experts.
"This is a rapidly changing issue and situation, and we will continue to take direction from the relevant heath and election authorities," she said.
The new legilsation will be available on the NSW Parliament website here.
