Neil Jones and Sarah Buckingham.
Group B: Neil Jones and The Greens
Neil Jones
Retired, Senior Lecturer in Horticulture
Sarah Buckingham
Natural Therapist, Health Food Retail Assistant
Stephen Nugent
Deputy CEO, OCTEC Ltd.
Haidee Nelson.
Self-employed.
Richard Eggleston.
University Student, former Civil Engineer
Yvette Black
Occupational Therapist
Where do you stand on:
Rates: Orange’s rates cover a wide range of quality facilities and services that aren’t offered in other regional cities. We would ensure that ratepayers get better value for money, and more efficient project management, without a need for rate increases.
Would you ever vote for a special rate increase above the cap set by the state government?
Special rate increase would not be supported unless extraordinary circumstances warranted it.
Conservation versus development: Council’s urban development policies aren’t adequately addressing the impacts of Orange’s high rate of growth on residential neighbourhoods, heritage, visual amenity, streetscapes, traffic, parking, and vegetation. The new Development Control Plan must have tighter and more enforceable guidelines.
Macquarie Pipeline: Would you vote to halt the pipeline project? (yes or no)
Yes. The pipeline cannot be justified. It is unnecessary, unworkable, expensive and environmentally damaging. Operating conditions and current water storage capacities would significantly limit its use and benefit.
Water security can be achieved through redirection of State funding to the expansion and completion of stormwater harvesting projects and upgrade of Suma Park Dam. Federal funds should go towards Orange and regional projects.
What major capital works do you think Orange needs?
Suma Park Dam upgrade; completion of stormwater harvesting projects; Regional museum; Moulder Park precinct; Glenroi skate park.
What projects or facilities would you forego to fund them if necessary?
Ensure that major works are funded as part of council’s management plan and from grant funds.
Successes of the previous council? (List up to four.)
Completion of NDR for reducing heavy CBD traffic; stormwater harvesting and constructed wetlands; protection of parks, open spaces and bushland in the new Local Environment Plan; high level of community services.
Failures of the previous council? (List up to four.)
Inadequate road funding; slow progress on museum; no infill development policy; inability to attract investment for a seniors’ living village and new caravan park.
What are your policy priorities? Better roads, parking, footpaths and pedestrian safety; water security; youth employment and youth facilities.
Read more; www.nsw.greens.org.au/orange
Are you in favour of (yes or no):
A full-time mayor: Yes
Direct election of the mayor by voters: No
