During the early stage of COVID councillors around the state were forced to attend council meetings remotely via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.

When in-person council meetings resumed Orange councillor Dr Jo McRae chose to continue attending remotely as she works in a medical practice.

The NSW government's Office of Local Government is seeking the views of councillors on "transitioning back to in-person council and committee meetings and ... consultation on proposed changes allowing remote attendance at meetings".

Cr Ian Davison is seeking a written guarantee that councillors would be able to attend meetings remotely in exceptional circumstances.

"I think we have an opportunity, particularly country councils, of being able to partake in council meetings when there are days like to today - might have a bit of a flood and you're on the other side of the bridge and can't get in.

"This would allow us to be able to do that in exceptional circumstances, or when people laid up might have a busted leg and can't get into council, but can still take part in it."

Council general manager Brad Byrnes told councillors: "You've got to think of when people are up to no good - it certainly wouldn't happen at this council - but other councils when developers and other things are in play.

"Who's around in a room? I'd like to know how we manage those things as they come online - it's going to be more and more prevalent."

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