Less than eight weeks out from the election, six candidates for the Greens team have been announced, led by councillor Neil Jones.

Second on the ticket will be Sarah Buckingham, wife of outgoing councillor Jeremy Buckingham, followed by Stephen Nugent, Haidee Nelson, Richard Eggleston and Yvette Black.

Cr Jones said it was important council candidates gave the community plenty of time to to judge their capabilities.

“It’s disappointing to see the reluctance of some councillors to commit to the forthcoming elections,” he said.

“I believe if people are keen to serve the community it should be clear in their minds now.”

He said the Greens team were a diverse and talented group of professional people who would be fresh faces for the council, willing to improve the city’s livability.

Mrs Buckingham said she wanted to bring a gender balance to the council and encourage more energy-efficient development.

“I’d love to see rebates for solar panels and water tanks,” she said.

“I think people want to live sustainably but it’s so expensive to do it.”

She would also like to see the Moulder Park precinct made into a multipurpose outdoor facility.

Mr Nugent said he hoped to strengthen the social services side of the council, if elected to council on his third attempt.

“[The] council does some great work with youth services and multicultural work,” he said.

“Given that we’ve got a state government that’s hell bent on cutting down on expenditure ... it’s even more important.”

He moved to Orange from Sydney 11 years ago with his wife Fiona and two daughters.

Ms Nelson hopes to encourage more environmentally sustainable development if elected to council.

“I studied environmental studies and anthropology at university,” she said.

“I want to bring knowledge of how the environment effects the way we live in it and how we effect it.”

Living in Spring Hill with her husband and two children, she also hopes to see more infrastructure in Orange’s villages.

Mr Eggleston said he will bring a Gen-Y influence to the council, and attempt to encourage residents to become more physical active.

“I’m not just here to fill the ticket, I want to run a decent campaign,” he said.

“I’m not a developer, I’m not a real estate agent I’m just Joe Average.”

He has lived in Orange for 16 years and is studying to be a teacher, after working as a civil engineer.

Orange-born Ms Black is keen to see the expansion of the city’s cycle ways and supports continued cultural development in arts, food and wine.

She works in mental health and is undertaking a masters degree in forensic mental health at the University of NSW.

clare.colley@ruralpress.co m