Aspiring Wingecarribee Shire councillors will have to put their campaigns on hold for six months following the decision to reschedule September's local government elections for March next year.
Yesterday's surprise announcement by the State Government means future local government elections will be held in non-state election years and would remain fixed four-year terms.
The change followed a request from the Local Government Association of NSW (LGA), whose president Sara Murray and Peter Reynolds were said to be influential lobbyists behind the move.
Dr Murray said the motion was moved by the association two weeks ago and she was "pleased" by the quick response from the Government showing its support.
"I am pleased the State Government has taken our advice on this matter," she said
"It is good to know the State has credited local government with knowing what is in its own best interests.
"A major benefit of the reschedule is that it will offer the incoming council appropriate control over its budget."
But Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton said she viewed any decision taken by the Carr Government so soon after the State election with a great deal of mistrust.
"This Government has a long track record of cover-ups and you only have to look at Menangle Bridge for evidence of that," she said.
"I question why this plan wasn't revealed before the election but this decision could give the Government more time to carry out its long-held ambition of forced local government amalgamations."
However, Dr Murray said local government minister Tony Kelly had previously stated there would be no forced amalgamations and that was also the policy of the LGA.
Mayor Phil Yeo said there had been no consultation between council and the NSW Labor Government on its plans.
Cr Nick Campbell-Jones said he was "totally opposed" to the delay, especially with the current council term due to expire in just five months.
And as there was no prior consultation with the LGA, Cr Campbell-Jones said he would now push for council to withdraw from the association and cancel its $24,000 per annum membership fee - a suggestion branded as a "ridiculous over-reaction" by Dr Murray.
"I first heard this was in the pipeline last Friday and I'm disappointed we weren't told about it earlier when it has obviously been in the works for some time," Cr Campbell-Jones said.
The news also comes as a blow to long-serving councillor David Wood who was planning to step down in September but now faces another six months in office.
Potential council candidate Garry Turland also questioned why the change was not revealed before last month's State election.
"It's just appalling and it means another six months with this council, who obviously can't be trusted," Mr Turland said.
Mr Carr said the main reason for the change was to allow for more financial responsibility and control for newly elected officials.
Under the current system, a newly elected council in September has to work with the previous council's budget until the new financial year on July 1.
Mr Carr said legislation to change the timing of local government elections would be drafted shortly although the Opposition has yet to determine its official stance on the issue.
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