DUBBO councillors will hold onto their jobs for at least another year with all local council elections postponed as NSW deals with the growing coronavirus pandemic.
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A total of 126 councils were scheduled to hold elections in September to appoint councillors, however, this has now been postponed for 12 months.
The postponement was welcomed by deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence who said it would allow councillors to focus on providing as much support to the community as possible during the spread of COVID-19.
"It's [the virus] a social catastrophe and it's something we need to understand and respond to," he said.
"There are so many complicated issues arising from coronavirus in a very real sense and it's good to know we've got some clear air now to help the community.
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"We've been assessing the impact on the community and determining how council should be responding."
Cr Lawrence the impact on the community at this stage was not the virus, but the dramatic and radical change to the way of life for so many people.
READ MORE: How COVID-19 is unfolding around Australia
"I'm worried about the vulnerable kids, the elderly, the people trapped in their homes and the people who have lost their jobs," he said.
Cr Jane Diffey said COVID-19 had certainly presented challenges to councillors and said the decision to postpone the elections must have been difficult for Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock.
"She's done what she thinks is the best for the community," Cr Diffey said.
"The decision's been made and it's a decision we'll have to work with."
Mayor Ben Shields told the media on Friday that the elections were postponed as a direct attempt to address the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus.
"An amendment to the Local Government Act passed through the NSW Parliament which allows the minister to postpone elections until at least September 2021, with a possible extension allowing the elections to be pushed out even to December 31, 2021," he said.
"This will not affect subsequent elections which means the 2024 elections will continue.
"Councillors will remain in civic office until the local elections are held even if they are at a later date."
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
