Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes says the decision to delay local government elections in NSW will provide certainty for ratepayers.
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"The NSW Government has postponed September's 2020 local government elections in the face of the COVID-19 crisis," a council spokeswoman said.
"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.
Cr Innes, who was elected in 2016, said the move provideed certainty to councils, communities and potential candidates.
"The council can now place its complete focus on supporting the community through these incredibly challenging times," she said.
She called on the community to support each other.
"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," Cr Innes 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
- Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes
"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.
"Cr 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."
The council said legislative changes were also made to allow council meetings to be held via weblink and livestreamed to the public.
Cr Innes said these measures would be implemented before Eurobodalla Shire Council's next meeting on April 7.
"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 the 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.
Statewide polls, due each four years, are the latest public gatherings to fall victim to coronavirus.
