A SYDNEY trip for past mayor John Watson has resulted in Monday night's Wodonga Council meeting going online.
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The forum was set for the council chamber but city chief executive Mark Dixon opted to stage it remotely after learning Cr Watson would be forced to isolate on returning to Victoria.
Cr Watson drove to Sydney on Friday to collect wooden frames for his bee business.
He had a permit for travel and avoided the eastern suburbs COVID hotspot en route to Hornsby in the north before learning on Saturday he would have to quarantine back in Victoria.
"I apologise to the community but I believe with the permit I was able to travel," Cr Watson said on Sunday.
He arrived back on the Border on Saturday night and plans to have a COVID test in Wodonga on Monday.
"I think it would be irresponsible if I was in at the meeting," Cr Watson said.
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"In this situation we've got to hit it on the head and be honest and open to the community and the staff, executive and fellow councillors at Wodonga City."
Mr Dixon said his move followed advice from Local Government Victoria and was in line with the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 and the Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Act 2021.
However, councillor Ron Mildren believes those laws do not permit such a move and the change is about ensuring a majority voting bloc of Cr Watson, mayor Kev Poulton and Graeme Simpfendorfer over himself, Olga Quilty and Libby Hall.
"There are items on the business paper for this meeting which have a history of a 3-3 vote with the mayor having to use his casting vote (in the absence of Cr Kat Bennett on parenting leave)," he said.
"With a councillor absent the vote would be expected to be 3-2 and uncertainty may be created as to the vote following the recommendations."
Meanwhile, Albury councillors will don masks at their meeting on Monday night to satisfy new COVID rules in NSW.
