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

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 40.

Family: In a relationship with partner Kirsty Maxwell, and we share four amazing children.

What do you do for a living? Small business owner: taxi proprietor for the past 18 years.

How long have you lived in Orange? All of my life.

What is the best part of living in Orange? The fact that it is a great town to bring up a small family, the ability for all to make a real difference in the best inland city in Australia.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? Firstly, I think it is time for a change, we need some new faces and fresh ideas. Secondly, I believe I have a lot to offer the Orange community. I have the ability to listen to all opinions and gather all of the information available, in order to make the right decision for the whole community.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? Average. I think they have tried to turn around their performance in the past month due to the fact there is an election coming up, however this is not good enough. I think the animosity between councillors is evident to all. I do not expect everyone to get along, however I do not believe that you should go airing your dirty laundry on social media.

If elected, would you lobby to reduce, maintain or raise rates? I would like to have a closer look at the budget in order to make an informed decision. If I had to make a call, I would be happy to see a 12-month freeze on rates so that the incoming council can better asses the budget and can identify the areas where there may be cost savings and pass them on to the ratepayers.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? I think there needs to be an ongoing, easily-accessible document which enables all of the community to have their two bobs worth in what roads need repairing. My biggest concern is that we try to stretch our dollar too far. I would rather see 20 roads fixed properly than 50 roads patched up. We need to learn from our mistakes and move forward. Roads that should take priority are definitely the Northern Distributor Road, Forest Road and Clergate Road.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Firstly, I think the improvements to the road surface need to continue, once the surface is up to scratch. We then have to continue to lobby the State Government to take over the future care of the road. 

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I think it is a disgrace that our councillors have been asked to make a decision without all of the information available. If we cannot trust our councillors with confidential information, they should not be on council. I cannot see why we need to have industrial land in this area. There is plenty of other land available closer to town near the Northern Distributor Road and other industrial areas. The infrastructure to service the land at Spring Hill would be a huge burden on the ratepayers of Orange: think roads, lighting and all of the essential services. The only space that should be set aside is for future airport expansion.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? I think that the future uses of Electrolux as is from a business point of view would be quite limited due to the size of the land. I would like to see it broken up into smaller lots to ensure that it does not become an eyesore and health risk similar to that of the old hospital site. Something needs to be done sooner rather than later.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? No, I do not believe they should be allowed on council. This is not to say that they are all on there to feather their own nests, I simply believe that the temptation to some, might be too great when making a decision in the best interest of the community. This said, I am not naive enough to think that restricting developers and real estate agents from running for council will fix the problem, but it will help with the perception that is currently in the community.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? By providing access the shops via parking and public transport and encouraging bigger businesses to come into the centre of the town. This in turn brings people and traffic which will hopefully make it easier for smaller businesses to operate. Ensure the rates in the centre of town are low enough to help small business survive, ensure that people feel safe negotiating around town and make the centre of town a pleasurable place to visit.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? I do not believe there is enough parking in the centre of town. The first place I would look at extra parking would be the Sale Street car park behind the Orange Ex-Services’ Club. I think this is a great spot to have a multi-level car park, which in turn would make the northern side of Summer Street more accessible to the public and, hopefully, encourage business owners to set up business on that side of the street.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? No, I don't support the location, however I do support the need for better sporting facilities in order to encourage larger events to come to town. If possible, I would like to see Wade Park developed into a great sporting facility.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you are elected? My main focus would be on community involvement in decision making and ensuring that there is accountability in decision making. A multi-level car park, better facilities to attract families to Orange, smart poles in the centre of town to help with security, lighting, traffic, internet connectivity and power just to name a few, and ensuring the viability of business in the centre of town.