With the council election delayed until December, councillors were called on to vote on the date of the first meeting of the new council, at which the mayor will be elected, which was proposed and decided for January 10.

Councillor Dan Hayes put forward a motion to delay the first meeting of the new council to January 17 saying the Christmas and New Year period was "unfair" on the new members of council and staff.

"To have councillors onboarded, set up and ready to go within that two week period over Christmas and New Year is unrealistic," Cr Hayes said.

"The elected councillors, whoever they will be [and] staff as well, they have families, lives, commitments, school holidays, some may have mandatory leave due to their organisations or workplaces closing for the Christmas period."

"This is on top of a year where there has been one school holiday virtually cancelled through Covid and another one potentially as well so people are planning for that Christmas and New Years time to take a much needed break."

He added: "I think this is asking too much [and] potentially it is unfair."

Councillor Rod Kendall argued that because a legal amendment will leave Wagga with no mayor from the election date until that first council meeting, council must meet as early a possible despite the inconvenience.

"Even though the timing of the election is particularly poor ... in recognition of the fact that the position of mayor will be vacant it's particularly important that we get that first council meeting undertaken as soon as possible," Cr Kendall said.

"Critically, the sooner you elect a new mayor the sooner the ordinary council business can continue uninterrupted and despite the inconvenience I think everyone going into the elections and nominating now knows what the expectations are."

Wagga is facing five weeks with no mayor or elected representative under a new election rule that mandates a mayor vacate his or her position on election day, leaving the position empty until new councillors hold a mayoral election at their First General Council Meeting.

Councillors were not called on to make a decision on Councillor Hayes' motion however, as it was revealed that council is legally bound to vote a mayor in within three weeks of the election results which are predicted to fall on December 23, meaning the January 10 date is compulsory.

Mayor Conkey said he agreed with councillor Dan Hayes' sentiments but was legally bound to enforce the three week period.

He was, however, optimistic that the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock may revise the new rules which mandates that a mayor vacate his position on election day where previously they served until a new mayor was elected.

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