Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock's office confirms early election for Port Macquarie-Hastings is not an option

It comes after a failed attempt by Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson at the June 3 council meeting, to have council's general manager request the Minister call an early election.

The Minister's office said the option for an early election is not on the table.

That request was prompted by ongoing allegations by the mayor that council had become "toxic" and "dysfunctional". Cr Pinson also claims she is being bullied and harassed by some members of the elected body.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said the gravity of the mayor's allegations were serious and must be backed up by specific examples if the councillors as a group are to work through perceived relationship issues.

"They are very serious allegations deserving proper investigation and correction if untrue," Cr Intemann said.

"However despite repeatedly asking the mayor to please provide actual examples of what she is referring to, none have been forthcoming either to me or I believe any relevant person."

Cr Pinson's move was unsuccessful with council instead agreeing to delegate the authority to general manager Craig Swift-McNair to seek professional remediation advice for the elected body.

Mr Swift McNair the following day tendered his resignation as general manager. It was followed by the resignation of Cr Justin Levido on June 5.

There are now two councillor vacancies following the departure of Mike Cusato last year.

The general manager made an assurance he would initiate moves for remediation before his departure on July 1.

"We announced a decision to postpone the September 2020 elections for 12 months off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic," the Minister's spokesperson said.

"We made that call back in March to ensure certainty for councils and communities.

"It would be counter-intuitive to bring it forward.

"The elections will be held in September next year (2021) and we are working with the electoral commissioner to finalise an exact date."

It is not the first time Cr Pinson in her role as mayor has sought advice from the Minister for Local Government over decisions made by the elected body she did not support.

The mayor met directly with the Minister in July 2019 with concerns about the councillors' decision to leave the "most viable" route on the table during the development of an orbital road strategic business case, despite strong opposition from affected residents.

"It is very irregular for a mayor - who is statutory leader and spokesperson of the organisation - to complain publicly about their council without first raising the matters with councillors and council internally," Cr Intemann said after that meeting.

Five councillors pushed for their own face-to-face meeting with the Minister through MP Leslie Williams' office and were told it would be arranged in "coming months".

Cr Intemann confirmed she then had a discussion with the Minister over the phone about council's performance and concerns raised by the mayor, but a formal meeting with the Minister or a visit to Port Macquarie to meet with all councillors is yet to eventuate.

Cr Pinson said the decision to seek professional remediation will "be of no help whatsoever".

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