The September local government elections have now been postponed by the state government due to the continually escalating COVID-19 pandemic.
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They will now be held in September 2021 to provide "certainty to Australian communities during these extraordinary times".
Both Local Government NSW (LGNSW) and Gunnedah deputy mayor Rob Hooke welcomed the decision made on Wednesday night.
Cr Hooke said the decision was justified with new restrictions in place.
"There's absolutely no doubt it's the right decision," Cr Hooke said.
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"For people to have large gatherings at pre-polling and polling booths and handing out how to vote cards, meet the candidates, those sorts of thing won't be able to go on [this year].
"It would be really unfair for the electorate to make a decision without being able to meet the candidates."
Cr Hooke said it was important for people to stay at home in the current climate.
"Social distancing really is the only way to nip this thing in the bud and we can't assume that it's going to be gone by August when the pre-polling and campaigning will be ramping up," he said.
"Going into closed spaces, the least number of people there the better."
LGNSW president Linda Scott was grateful the state government had acted swiftly in its decision-making process.
"In light of the minister's decision to delay local elections because of the COVID-19 crisis, I know all elected councillors will continue to work across political boundaries to pull together for the public good," Cr Scott said.
"Mayors and councillors are working hard to ensure good governance continues during the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so.
"When asked to serve for an additional year, I'm confident mayors and councillors will understand the need to provide stability and continuity of governance."
Cr Hooke said the mayoral and deputy mayoral elections would still take place this year as they were completed in-house by Gunnedah's councillors.
"It's the normal cycle and the mayor and deputy mayor are only elected for a two-year term so that means they will be up for re-election in September this year," he told the Namoi Valley Independent.