The worsening NSW COVID-19 situation has prompted the state government to delay local government elections for a second time.
September's elections, which had already been postponed by 12 months, will now take place on December 4.
Nominations will now open on October 25.
The weekend announcement did not surprise Federation mayor Pat Bourke, "with the way things are a going with COVID".
"With this Delta strain, we've got to do whatever we can to keep it under control," he said.
"But it's hard - this week there was a public event organised."
Cr Bourke did not anticipate Federation would wear additional costs due to the delay or that mayoral elections would be needed for the three-month period.
"I imagine the Electoral Commission will wear a fair cost as most of their information would have already been prepared," he said.
"I would think they wouldn't bother (with mayoral elections), but that's unknown to me."
Local Government NSW president Linda Scott said there was "no guarantee further delays won't be incurred".
"Regional NSW local governments are particularly eager for safe NSW elections to proceed, with many areas of NSW without a single COVID exposure," she said.
"Why should the rest of NSW have to suffer because of COVID cases in Sydney?"
Cr Bourke said it would be difficult to run a fair election with significant COVID-19 restrictions.
"It will be business as usual for us and trying to keep everything tracking," he said.
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"It's funny, because this extra three months makes eight years for me ... at Urana Shire, my term was cut down and I was three months short of four years there."
Cr Bourke acknowledged the contribution of Albury mayor Kevin Mack, who has announced plans to step down after the current term.
"He's been a great friend, we've been in many organisations together including RAMJO which he's led truly professionally," he said.
"I wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavours."
