HE played a critical role in shoring up Orange’s water resources and took concerns to State Parliament, but Jeremy Buckingham has said goodbye to the Orange community.
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The Greens Legislative Council member, wife Sarah and their two sons moved to the mid north coast last week, settling near Coffs Harbour.
Mr Buckingham said it was the toughest decision he and his wife had to make as a couple, but a back injury he sustained as a stonemason played a part.
“It’s exacerbated by the cold climate - the number one reason was to try living somewhere warmer where some of those issues would be alleviated,” he said.
“Another reason is I have the mining portfolio and it’s required me to work a lot in northern NSW - it’s very easy to access these areas and not be away from family as much.
“Over the last four years I’ve had to be away a lot and that takes it’s toll.”
Mr Buckingham said he and Mrs Buckingham were proud of their history in Orange - Mrs Buckingham hails from the McMurtrie family, which has called Orange home since the 1860s.
“We have so many family and friend connections and we will come back again and again,” he said.
Mr Buckingham, himself a resident of 20 years, also recalled fondly his days serving on Orange City Council.
“Orange City Council is the toughest bear pit in Australia, no doubt about it, everything’s always properly debated,” he said.
“Locking horns with people like John Davis and Chris Gryllis and Glenn Taylor I thoroughly enjoyed.”
The first Greens councillor elected west of the Great Dividing Range, Mr Buckingham helped establish the Greens as a political force in western areas and was particularly proud of his role in establishing the Ploughmans and Blackmans Swamp stormwater harvesting schemes.
“It certainly has made a massive contribution to Orange’s water security and it’s disappointing the licensing issues haven’t been resolved, but it’s a symbol of what someone who’s practical about environmentalism can achieve.”
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au