Victoria has resisted following the lead of NSW and will hold local government elections this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council elections south of the border will stay on the original timeline and be held on October 24, but Albury and other NSW councils won't go to the polls until September next year.
Local Government minister Adem Somyurek said yesterday "safe and secure" postal votes would be used for the elections after Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton also gave the polls the all-clear.
It will be the first time postal voting has been used across all councils after changes to the Local Government Act 2020.
The Border Mail surveyed the majority of North-East mayors this week and they felt council elections would be held due to the COVID-19 response improving.
IN OTHER NEWS
"Victorians have the right to a democratic say on who represents them at all levels of government," Mr Somyurek said.
"By making every vote a postal vote, we're ensuring this vital democratic process is conducted in a safe manner that also allows for the participation of more voters."
Cr Ken Clarke, who became Wangaratta mayor, aged 80,when coucillors returned to the city in 2016, has not ruled out standing again.
"I will see what my health is like at the end of the term," he said.
"If my health is alright I will probably have another go."
Wodonga Ratepayers Association president Allan Bounader welcomed the decision the elections were going ahead this year and not delayed.
"Some of them who have been on there a little while need to be given a bit of a shake up," he said.
"Mainly in light of what happened with the waste management levy."
He also thanked the councillors who had fronted its meetings during the last four years.
