2021 New South Wales local elections

Following the 2012 elections, a large amount of councils were amalgamated and the local government areas comprised larger areas. This resulted in 79 councils being contested in 2016 and 46 2017. 2021 marked the first time in nine years that the vast majority of councils were being contested at the same time. The elections were scheduled to be held in September 2020, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia they were delayed until 4 September 2021. On 24 July 2021, it was announced the elections would again be delayed until 4 December 2021. Two councils − Fairfield and Penrith − opted to use the services of the Australian Election Company, while all other elections were conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission. The election for Norfolk Island Regional Council, which was meant to be held at the same time as New South Wales, was also postponed in 2020. It was later scheduled to be held in March 2021, however the council was suspended in February 2021 and eventually dismissed on 6 December 2021. Lead Greens candidate for Orange, Melanie McDonell, announced on 21 May 2021 she would leave the Greens and stand on a "McDonell Team" independent ticket. ==Political parties==

The following registered parties contested the elections. This does not include unregistered groups of independents: • Animal Justice Party • Greens • Labor Party • Liberal Democrats • Liberal Party • Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party • Socialist Alliance • Sustainable Australia Party • The Small Business Party In addition, a number of local government-registered parties also contested the elections. ==Party changes before elections==

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2021 elections. ==Results==

Council totals ==Referendums and polls==

In addition to the local elections, eight LGAs held referendums on questions relating to electoral structures. An advisory poll on de-amalgamation was also held for Inner West. The closest result was in Wagga Wagga, where 50.6% voted "No" to directly-electing the mayor. ==Aftermath==

Elected councillors Logan Collins was elected to Cootamundra–Gundagai Regional Council at the age of 18, becoming the youngest local councillor in New South Wales history. iVote crash and re-runs Analysis commissioned by the NSWEC found 55 voters in Singleton, 54 in Shellharbour and 34 voters in Kempsey who attempted to use iVote were prevented from casting their vote. As a result, re-runs were ordered by the Supreme Court of NSW which were held on 30 July 2022 and iVote was not used for the 2023 state election. ==By-elections and countbacks==

The New South Wales Electoral Commission has held a number of by-elections and countbacks to fill vacancies on councils since the 2021 elections. Countbacks were introduced in January 2022 for council vacancies across the state, although by-elections are still used for some councils. By-elections Countbacks ==Notes==