Pre-poll voting for council elections starts and is available to any enrolled voter

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said eligibility criteria was more relaxed this year to reduce the number of voters on election day, December 4.

"This will mean voting will not occur on a single day but over an election period of 12 days, including election day, to help with social distancing at polling places," she said.

The NSW Electoral Commission website says at this election "any person enrolled to vote may vote by pre-poll" and "you will only be able to vote in person in your council area."

Pre-poll centres in the shire are at:

Postal vote applications also opened on Monday. To apply, you can either apply on the Electoral Commission website or download and return a postal vote application.

Technology assisted voting, or iVote, is also available, operating in the same way it does for State elections.

Candidates and their supporters are not allowed to hand out how-to-vote material within 100 metres of voting centres, but can still be present to provide advice if requested by voters.

Campaign posters are allowed at booths, but only if they are in place before 7am and not adjusted or altered in any way until after 7pm.

Three councillors are to be elected in each of the five wards. Lead candidates in ballot paper order are:

A WARD:

B Ward

C WARD

D WARD

E WARD