Local council elections look set be postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
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Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor Duncan Gair said that it appeared more than certain that the council term would be extended at the council meeting on March 25.
"Listening to the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock this morning, it appears more than certain that the council term will be extended for a further 12 months," he said.
"All of this has to be confirmed."
"We cannot take this lightly.
"We have to work together for the common betterment of this community... the decisions may seem draconian but it it's what we are dealing with at the moment."
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said she intends to defer September council elections until the risk of coronavirus subsides.
Talking with ABC Illawarra on Wednesday (March 25) morning, Ms Hancock said she will be in contact with the governor over the coming days to confirm the situation.
"It is my intention to defer local government elections until September 2021, or even an extra six months if necessary," she said.
"There will be some legalities to overcome and the governor will have to sign off on it."
Ms Hancock said she will also look into giving councillors the choice to conduct meetings via teleconference. This method is in-line with current social distancing techniques introduced across Australia.
"We can give the council the choice of having teleconferencing for council meetings so they call by phone or be there if they want to," she said.
