Election day had already been delayed a year because of the pandemic and was rescheduled to September 4, 2021, but the latest outbreak has seen the NSW Government postpone it again to Saturday, December 4.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the decision was made after extensive consultation with and advice from the NSW Electoral Commission and NSW Health.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current public health orders impacting Greater Sydney, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the local government elections until later this year,” she said.
“We have taken this step to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities, voters, polling staff and candidates.”
The NSW Government has worked with the Electoral Commission and NSW Health to implement a plan to allow voters to cast their ballot safely in person, by post or online.
iVote (electronic voting) will be available for the first time in the council elections and changes to pre-poll will give voters 13 days to cast their ballot in an aim to reduce congestion on polling day.
In this election, 5.2 million voters will cast their ballots as around 5000 candidates vie for 1200 councillor positions across 125 local councils.
Nominations will open on October 25 and close on November 3.
Prospective candidates can find more information at the Office of Local Government website at or specific to Murray River Council at olg.nsw.gov.auyoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/local-government-elections
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