NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock on Saturday confirmed the election date had been pushed back from September 4 to December 4, "to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities, voters, polling staff and candidates."

It's the second time the election has been postponed, with the current council term extended by 12 months last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest postponement comes at an interesting time for Bathurst Regional Council, which elected a new mayor less than two weeks ago after councillor Bobby Bourke stepped down.

READ MORE: North becomes the mayor of Bathurst after 11 terms as deputy

New mayor Ian North said pushing the election back would give him more time to settle into the role and make progress on his agenda, but importantly it would ensure the safety of everyone in the uncertain times.

"We saw this whole thing started by a limousine driver picking up a pilot and taking them to the motel. This has all started from one little thing like that and that's a worry," he said.

"... I'd prefer to see people alive and living a normal life than worrying about an election."

He said the electoral commission should consider implementing online voting, so people don't have to leave their homes to go vote in December.

"I think it really should be coming to that," Cr North said.

"No one really likes walking the gauntlet, no one really likes the pre-poll with so many candidates there trying to give them their forms. Maybe this is a wake-up call across our electoral sporting field that we've got to offer another way of voting, as long as it is safe and it can't be hacked into."

Deputy mayor Monica Morse is of a similar opinion to Cr North.

"One thing I hope is it will give the electoral commission time to improve that online voting system, iVote," she said.

The system allows eligible voters, such as those with vision impairment or other disabilities, to cast their vote over the phone or online.

While she won't be a candidate in the next election, Cr Morse is appreciative of the extra time to tie up some loose ends as deputy mayor.

The extra time has also been welcomed by election candidate Nick Packham, who said it will give his team more time to engage with voters in the community.

"I think Bathurst needs change and probably will benefit from a new council, but the extra time really won't hurt us at all," he said.

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