Name of ticket or independent: Lead candidate on Greens ticket.

Are you a mayoral candidate? Yes.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 56.

Family: Married to Fiona with two teenage daughters, Freya and Portia.

What do you do for a living? Deputy CEO of OCTEC Limited.

How long have you lived in Orange? 16 years.

What is the best part of living in Orange? Orange is the perfect sized regional city. With plenty to do and easy to get around, it’s in a fantastic location at the centre of the Central West and with good access to Sydney and Canberra, and it has beautiful buildings, trees and people

Why are you running for Orange City Council? To continue the great work of Councillor Neil Jones as a voice for the environment and a passionate advocate for social justice.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? The performance has been mixed. Some councillors have worked hard and contributed well, but there’s a perception that council has lacked accountability and transparency on key decisions, as well as vision and fresh ideas. We’ve seen significant infrastructure achievements but too much ‘development at any cost’ and some unhelpful in-fighting. Neil Jones has remained a voice of principle and a tireless advocate for putting community first, and I hope to carry on that vital role.

If elected, would you lobby to reduce, maintain or raise rates? If you would reduce them, which services or council undertakings would you eliminate to do so? I would maintain rates in line with CPI and explore options for reducing costs, e.g. energy and fuel consumption, provided current services to the community can be maintained.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? $17 million should go a long way but road building is an expensive business; this would be a watch-and-see for me during the first year of the new council.

Which roads should get priority? Assigning priority needs a strategic approach, not a list of pet projects thrown in by councillors. Priority should be decided with extensive community input and expert advice from council staff.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? We need to facilitate an agreement with the State Government on a shared maintenance arrangement and then get on with the job of fixing it once and for all. Ideally this would include replacing the traffic lights and awkward dual intersection at Telopea Way-Farrell Road with a large roundabout.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? No I don’t agree with the re-zoning. It’s not compatible with this being one of the gateways to our city, as well as being prime agricultural land and an important water catchment area. The Spring Hill community is also generally against the re-zoning so it fails both the social and environmental tests of the triple bottom line. A contained business park around the airport for companies that support or use air transport could be considered.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? The new council needs to provide leadership in attracting buyers and users who will adapt the site and bring new investment and jobs to the region. This is an ideal location for a high-tech industrial park occupied by a single large enterprise, e.g. assembly and maintenance of the new fleet of country trains (highly ambitious, but why not dream big?) or a mixture of modular spaces for high-end creative industries (similar to the transformation of Pyrmont and Ultimo warehouses into a tech start-up precinct).

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? Councillors need to work constructively with each other regardless of their background and profession. However, I believe having real estate agents and developers on council causes problems due to the perception – if not the reality – they are there for their own interests rather than those of the community. It creates tensions between councillors and distracts from more important issues. It also reduces council’s effectiveness if some councillors have to repeatedly declare a conflict of interest.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council needs to create the conditions for long-term sustainable growth. Revitalising the CBD must be a priority through streetscaping, re-vegetation, street art and vibrant public spaces. This will have the mutually-supportive effects of drawing more customers and shoppers to the CBD from across Orange, surrounding towns and villages, and other cities, plus supporting existing businesses and drawing new businesses to use available premises. Full retail and office occupancy, plus high levels of foot traffic, are keys to a healthy CBD.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? The main issues with parking seem to relate to long-term parking for workers in the CBD. A park and ride facility could help address that. Also feedback from our campaign door-knocking conversations indicates that more people would walk and ride into the CBD if it was easier to cross roads (especially near roundabouts) and if existing bike paths were better connected. By making it easier and safer for those who want to walk or ride, the available parking will be better able to meet the demand from people who need to drive.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I’m a great supporter of sport as a way to build community and for the physical and mental health of adults and children. A sporting complex in north Orange would be good for that community.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? Ensuring that Shiralee fulfils the sustainable suburb vision of its planners, revitalising the stormwater harvesting scheme, implementation of the Cities Power Partnership, moving Orange towards being carbon neutral, redevelopment of Kurim Shopping Centre, redevelopment of Moulder Park netball precinct, progressing cycling infrastructure including more bike paths, lights at velodrome and finishing BMX track in East Orange, and development of a comprehensive Accessibility Strategy to ensure everyone has equal access to council services.