At 6 o'clock last night we learned of the shock resignation of Councillor Gianpiero Battista.

Today we have confirmation from Lismore City Council that Councillor Greg Bennett has also resigned, leaving the total number of councillors at nine (9).

In a press release this afternoon Lismore City Council thanked Councillor Gianpiero Battista and Councillor Greg Bennett for their service to the Council and the community.

As a result of COVID-19, the current term of all NSW councils was extended by 12 months to September 2021. In normal circumstances a councillors term is four (4) years which ended in August, 2020. Councillors then make an individual decision to extend their term of resign at the end of their elected term.

Councillor Battista and Councillor Bennett have decided to stand aside now rather than wait another 12 months.

Councillor Battista, whose resignation is effective as of 6 August, has served the community as a Councillor for the last 12 years.

Councillor Bennett, whose resignation is effective as of 13 August, has been a councillor for eight years.

"Lismore City Council management and staff thank both councillors for their leadership over their years of service and wish them well for the future", the press release said.

The NSW Government’s Office of Local Government has previously determined that due to COVID-19, no by-elections will be held to replace any councillor who resigns before the rescheduled Council elections on 4 September 2021.

The big question now surrounds which remaining councillors will continue to work until the new elections next year.

Mayor Isaac Smith along with current Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook and Councillors Elly Bird, Neil Marks, Vanessa Ekins and Bill Moorhouse have all confirmed they remain committed to serving their extended term at council. Bill Moorhouse saying "I'll keep turning up until it gets silly".

When the council elections were postponed in March a few councillors were undecided about their extended term, this included Councillors Nancy Casson and Eddie Lloyd.

The Lismore App has been trying to contact all councillors for a response.

The next few days, including next weeks Tuesday's council meeting should reveal all the details.