"This (pandemic) could be a catalyst for change if this beast of a thing continues," he said.

"We need to go to something along the lines of computer or permanent postal voting; it would cut out waste."

He believed postal or computer voting would also be a cost saving measure.

"This would be a responsible decision," Cr West said.

The mayor praised the State government for postponing this year's local government elections by a further three months, to Saturday, December 4.

"I think the government has shown a responsible attitude to this pandemic, in particular to Delta which has mutated; it is invading very quickly," Cr West said.

For a second time in 12 months the local government elections have been postponed due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in Greater Sydney. (NSW reported 172 new local coronavirus cases on Tuesday, its highest daily case total since the start of Sydney's outbreak.)

Announcing the new date, Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said the decision to postpone the election for a second time had been made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the State's communities, voters, polling staff and candidates.

Nominations for candidates to contest the poll will now open on Monday, October 25. The electoral roll, including the non-residential roll, will also remain open until this date.

Councillors elected in December 2021 will serve a reduced term of two years and eight months, with subsequent elections expected to remain on schedule.

This means the next election will proceed as planned in September 2024.

The election of MidCoast's mayor and deputy mayor will proceed in September, under the terms of the Local Government Act. The mayoral term is two years, with Cr West re-elected in 2019.

Mayors elected by popular vote, such as neighbouring Port Macquarie Hastings and Macleay councils, will remain in their positions until December.

For further information, visit the NSW Electoral Commission at www.elections.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 135 736.

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