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

Are you a mayoral candidate? No. 

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 51.

Family: Married to local private practice clinical psychologist Christine Ireland. One cat – Oliver.

What do you do for a living? News director at National Radio News at Charles Sturt University and radio show host at 2EL Orange.

How long have you lived in Orange? 27 years, but I was born and raised in Molong.

What is the best part of living in Orange? I love the climate (yes, the cold weather). It's also a city full of good people and plenty of characters with great community spirit. And we are never any more than 10 minutes from any part of town – here's your 10-minute city, Mr Turnbull!

Why are you running for Orange City Council? My family has a long history of community service in Molong. Because Orange has been great to me and offered me a fantastic lifestyle it's time for me to give back and contribute what I can. It's a great city but with good leadership into the future, it can be even better.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? There's a saying that any fool can criticise and most fools do. I won't buy into doing that, but council needs fresh blood and new thinking. I'd like to thank all those councillors who have done their best and given service to the community.

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? It's not popular to admit that if we don't pay taxes, we don't receive services or get new infrastructure. But there needs to be a balance and people are struggling. I'd support restricting rate rises to the CPI for the time being as a way of offering some breathing space. Clever management should still allow for core business and important projects to be funded while we take stock.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? There would be no point in bankrupting the city for the sake of anything, so there must be limits to annual road funding. I'm comfortable with the amount allocated at present and I'm happy with the priority list outlined by council.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? We should continue to lobby the State Government to take over the Northern Distributor Road and allow council to take over Summer Street. I understand some people being skeptical about that ever happening, but that is no reason not to keep trying.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I do not agree with the re-zoning of that land for industrial use. I'm deeply concerned about possible implications for our water supply. After meeting with Spring Hill residents I have also been convinced by their argument that it's an inappropriate use of what is prime, small-holding agricultural land.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? I imagine that would be up to the owners in the long term. But if I had the chance to nominate a use for part of it, an artistic and performance space similar to the Carriage Works in Redfern does spring to mind.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? There should be no place for real estate agents or property developers in an organisation that has a massive decision-making focus on land rezoning and use. I urge voters to consider this issue carefully at the ballot box. I'm concerned at the potential for the appearance of bias in decision making. I think ratepayers expect community interests to be served above all others.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Providing great infrastructure while keeping land rate increases to a serviceable level. We should also review past shop local campaigns and learn what worked and what didn't and look at implementing ides that helped our business sector keep local money in the town.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? Most businesses and residents I speak to agree there needs to be more CBD parking. I support exploring options with the Ex- Services’ Club over the potential for mutli-storey parking at the Sale Street car park. Failing that, the Ophir car park could also be an option for multi-storey parking.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? Yes I do. I respect those who oppose the idea, but I believe it has merit, especially if the State Government can come to the party in terms for funding. The state is currently offering money toward regional sporting facilities. Wade Park needs to become a dedicated cricket facility. A rectangular stadium would allow us to compete for top-flight sport events that bring hundreds of thousands of dollars each in national publicity. Local teams would be based there and it would be well used. Plus, we could look at add some diversity to the facility by looking to incorporate a conference or function centre into the design.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? The aforementioned conference centre to cater for 300 people incorporating a main room and breakout spaces. It would attract visitors and create jobs. I'd also like to see concrete plans for Lucknow to become the official gateway to Orange with a good parking area for vehicles of all type, public toilets and information maps of the city and area in general.