MidCoast Council mayor, David West has supported the move to postpone September's local government elections until 2021.
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"We have gone through the drought from hell, bushfires unaccounted for in terms of flames, smoke and heat," Cr West said.
"We will have to live with COVID-19, it will have an end and we can fight it because we care about our neighbours, our community.
"We saw that with the bushfires.
"We have no idea where COVID-19 is going.
"It could continued into August or September.
"In the Mid Coast, that's 34,000 in line to vote, and they don't know if you are immune if you have had it.
"Local government's role in this whole catastrophe is to support Federal and State governments and, at end of all this, to assist community in moving forward, providing services and picking up the mess.
"Councillors need to have ability to deal with it."
David West has been in local government for 26 years.
In his opinion, it takes three years to become a competent councillor.
"There is so much legislation to come to grips with," he said.
"Current councillors will be able to deliver services at end of this, but new incoming councillors wouldn't have the skills.
Local government's role in this whole catastrophe is to support Federal and State governments and, at end of all this, to assist community in moving forward, providing services and picking up the mess.
- David West
"For community safety, moving forward, council will have a critical role."
MidCoast Council was formed by the amalgamation of Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester councils in 2016.
An administrator was appointed until the first council was elected in September the following year.
The amalgamation has given MidCoast Council political strength, industrial strength and economic strength, Cr West says.
"It is one of the most effective in the State."
Grant funding from State and Federal governments is more than the three councils would have received.
"We are seeing economies of scale - the delivery of services and road infrastructure we have never had before.
The risk of holding local government elections during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly high in the Mid Coast, he said.
"Tea Gardens has the highest level or aged people in Australia, Harrington the second highest.
"Our government has acted correctly."
Cr West says he has a deep respect and enjoys a "great relationship" with Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro
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He says the three State Nationals MPs and member for Port Stephens, Labor's Kate Washington are doing what is needed, playing the game fair and evenly, for the betterment of the community.
"The relationship I have with our four MPs is strong and growing."
The mayor commented that when he was buying fuel, four men behind him were all 1.5 metres to two metres apart.
"That gives you confidence, we won't be joining the ranks of Italy or Spain."
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