The majority of North-East mayors expect Victoria to follow the lead of NSW and defer local government elections due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Victorian council elections are also due in October with the state government still to make a call whether they will go ahead as scheduled.
Alpine Shire mayor Peter Roper said Victoria should follow NSW lead and postpone them for 12 months, but other mayors favoured a shorter delay of between three to six months.
"It is $150,000 we will not have to spend," Cr Roper said.
"Up here we are a high functioning council, we punch above our weight, we get on well, we've got a good CEO and a good management team in place."
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Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie said if the state of emergency in Victoria was lifted next month she thought the elections would go ahead.
"If we see the state of emergency continues post May 11 it will be highly likely there is an extension, but if we move back to stage two (restrictions) they will go ahead," she said.
"If there was an extension it should only be for another six months."
Towong mayor David Wortmann thought it was inevitable elections would be put on hold, but was beginning to think they could proceed.
"If restrictions are going to be relaxed in a month's time like they are saying then they could go ahead," he said.
"Two weeks ago I would have said definitely they would have deferred for six to 12 months, but I am not sure now."
Wangaratta's Dean Rees was firmly in support of deferment for up to 12 months with prospective councillors to be among the most disadvantaged in the present environment.
"It poses potential problems for people to have their marketing campaigns to advertise themselves to get on council being a hassle over the next three or four months," he said.
Moira mayor Libro Mustica said anything was possible after Queensland held council elections at the height of COVID-19 restrictions being imposed.
But his personal preference was to defer the election.
"If the rules haven't changed by the time the election is on then it should be extended for three to six months," he said.
"We can't be asking people to abide by state and federal rules not to congregate and turnaround and do an election."
Indigo mayor Jenny O'Connor couldn't be contacted for comment.
Victorian council elections are set for October 24.
"We're working with councils and Municipal Association of Victoria to consider the implications of coronavirus on their operations including the welfare of staff, compliance with the Act and elections," a government spokesperson said.
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