Name of ticket or Independent: Group K – McRae-Bloomfield ticket.

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 41.

Family: Partner Heather Cameron, three chooks, two cats; mum and dad and my three younger brothers and their families all live in Orange and surrounds.

What do you do for a living? Self-employed educational consultant.

How long have you lived in Orange? 28 years – 1979-1993 and 2002-present.

What is the best part of living in Orange? I love that Orange has a diverse, vibrant community, friendly people and a beautiful environment.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I believe I have the experience and skills to represent residents and ratepayers, making sound decisions for the future of our community and the development of our city.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? I believe we have many community-minded leaders who have given their time and energy to help develop Orange. As President Roosevelt said “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”. The issues around forced council amalgamations, high rates in our city, and controversial development decisions have seen a greater interest and engagement in local government and the responsibilities our councillors carry for our city’s future.

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 like to see all the information about our council expenditure. I do not believe a rate increase is justified.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? I don’t have the detail on road building costs to give a yes or no answer on the roadworks budget. We need to ensure we provide safe road infrastructure and budget for maintenance. I believe we should make quality a priority for our roadworks – do it once and do it well.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Many Orange residents, visitors and passers-by use the Northern Distributor Road on a regular basis. This will continue to be the case, and therefore the road requires appropriate maintenance and planning for connections and extensions. It would be great to have someone else pay for the upkeep, but I believe we should accept responsibility for this project and ensure we can keep it up to a suitable standard.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I have not been provided with complete information regarding the development of an industrial site at our airport. I believe we need to protect our water source, and ensure that any development meets a triple bottom-line approach, considering social, environmental and economic impacts. I do not believe there is any lack of industrial space at present which justifies this project, and I would prefer to see it retained as productive agricultural land.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? I would like to see the site occupied by a new industrial or commercial enterprise which revitalises employment opportunities in our city. I would like to see a new business entity which builds Orange’s reputation as an innovative regional city and provides jobs for our current residents and future generations.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? No. I believe that the interests of Orange’s ratepayers and residents are best represented by councillors who make decisions based only on the interests of the community. Developers and real estate agents’ business activities invite too many conflicts of interest, and therefore they must remove themselves from important decisions. This reduces the effectiveness of our democracy and decreases the representation of residents and ratepayers.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council needs to provide leadership for Orange as a vibrant, attractive place to live and to work. Our council must develop and implement strategic and operational plans that maintain our city’s liveability, and encourage business security and growth opportunities. We should continue to develop our existing health care, government, education, retail, food, wine and tourism assets, and advance our standing as a city able to deliver knowledge and services industries as the global economy shifts.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? No, we need to review our parking strategy for the CBD. We need to make sure parking is in the right place, accessible to those with mobility issues, and encourages safe pedestrian access around our city.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? No. I do not believe this expenditure or facility is warranted, and I would much prefer to see the upgrading of existing facilities.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? I would like to see Orange become Australia’s Healthiest City. This challenge would provide engagement for our community in all aspects of lifestyle - from safety, security and sanitation, through to education, employment and community engagement. This would build on our existing strengths of environment and lifestyle, and lead to a healthier, more engaged and active population.