Council elections postponed to reduce the risk of COVID-19

The NSW Government has postponed September’s 2020 local government elections in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

An amendment to the Local Government Act passed in parliament on Tuesday evening will see current councillors and popularly-elected mayors continue to hold office until September 2021, when the rescheduled elections will be held.

Eurobodalla’s Mayor Liz Innes, who was elected in 2016, said the move provides certainty to councils, communities and potential candidates.

“Council can now place its complete focus on supporting the community through these incredibly challenging times,” she said.

“We’re seeing much-loved local businesses closing their doors every day - those adhering to government restrictions and others pro-actively doing the right thing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Please support their takeaway and online offerings. Now more than ever - after fires, floods and now this virus - we really need to keep it local.”

Cr Innes urged those no longer able to work to take full advantage of the financial assistance on offer, and said the Council was asking for more.

“I’ve written to the Prime Minister and the Premier asking them to consider extra financial support for businesses in bushfire-impacted shires,” she said.

“Eurobodalla’s employers and employees now face a second catastrophe within weeks of the fires. Clr Lindsay Brown received unanimous support for his motion at Tuesday’s Council meeting to advocate for extra financial help for businesses already impacted by the fires. Both state and federal governments have acted quickly with financial help in response to the coronavirus.”

Legislative changes were also made to allow council meetings to be held via weblink and livestreamed to the public.

Cr Innes says these measures will be implemented prior to Eurobodalla Council’s next meeting on 7 April.

“Rather than attend meetings, members of the community can continue to raise issues with councillors by email or phone,” she said. “Contact details for councillors are available on Council’s website or by calling our customer service team on 4474 1000.”

Eurobodalla Council meetings have been moved from fortnightly to monthly until July.