NSW council elections by the numbers

* First council elections since NSW Government abandoned the forced amalgamations policy.

* Approximately 2.8 million people are expected to vote in the weekend's local government elections.

* There will be 46 councils elected.

* 20 of those are new councils created through the amalgamations.

* 13 electorates will pick a mayor through a popular vote, the mayors for other councils will be chosen by the elected councilors.

* Four electorates will also hold referendums at the same time which will determine issues related to the composition of the council.

* Dungog Council in the Hunter Valley will hold two referendums and four poll questions which include asking voters if the council should be disbanded and divided up among neighbouring localgovernments.

* Many councils will see huge amounts of candidates contest a handful of positions.

* 94 candidates for 15 positions in the Central Coast.

* 88 candidates for 11 positions in Orange.

* 81 candidates for 11 positions in Sydney's Northern Beaches.

* Counts are expected to be completed by September 16.

* Australia's second-longest serving federal politician Philip Ruddock, 74, has come out of retirement to run for Mayor of Hornsby.