Name of ticket or independent: Independent.

Are you a mayoral candidate? Yes.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? Yes.

Age: Born December 8, 1951 in Orange.

Family: Married to Kerry, an ex-teacher at James Sheahan and Canobolas High School, sons Ben,Gavin and Mitchell.

What do you do for a living?  Agricultural consultant and primary producer.

How long have you lived in Orange?  Born in Orange. I attended Glenroi Public School then Orange High School. I attended University of Sydney and Charles Sturt University and then have worked out of Orange all my working career.

What is the best part of living in Orange? The best part of living in Orange is its diversity. Great education, health, cultural and sporting facilities. A wide range of business and employment opportunities, four distinct seasons which gives us great parks and gardens.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I am involved in a number of voluntary organisations and as such love giving back to the place that has nurtured me and my family. As a councillor I will work hard to get genuine community engagement, consultation, accountability and transparency. I am not afraid to ask the hard questions and as a councillor I will serve all the people of Orange without fear or favour.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? Current council has been limited and needs to listen to its constituents and to engage with them far more openly and constructively.

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? Rates need a thorough audit and a review. I respect that rates have to keep up with CPI, but access charges are a concern to me. You do not necessarily have to reduce services with a rates maintain schedule or freeze for a certain period, it is about priorities and how you manage your services.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? ​Which roads should get priority? 

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? My plan for the Northern Distributor Road is to get it to an acceptable service level, with a service management plan and forward planning on future development along it to make sure it is a distributor road, not another road with numerous traffic lights and other impediments that see a shift of heavy vehicles to suburban streets.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? An industrial park around the airport does not stack up in any shape or form at this stage. No business plan, no financial plan, no cost-benefit analysis and on good agricultural land and on sensitive water aquifers. There is a range of industrial-zoned land around Orange and with our neighbours Blayney and Cabonne. The tale that has been spread – threatening possible job losses and so on – has been not in anyone’s best interest. Council already has land around the airport as a buffer: this could be used I am sure for any aeronautical possibilities and I would like to see the Orange-Blayney-Cabonne land use planning document reviewed and updated.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? The former Electrolux site and saleyards site are ideal for a number of business opportunities, from manufacturing,distribution, retail and training. It is located next to rail, near what will be a southern distributor. Why would this not be suitable for the so called ‘interest’ at the airport? It has transport, infrastructure, water, does not take up valuable agricultural land, does not put the city’s water catchment at risk and is close to the airport, if in fact that is really required.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I have made my feelings known on real estate agents and developers on council. In fact I received a lot of angst in doing so, but that has not changed my opinion. But the current laws say that it is permissible.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? The best way to help to help existing businesses and any potential business is to genuinely communicate and consult with them and to see how council support and help. Council has to be proactive with business groups like the chamber to forward plan and strategically address issues such as parking, rates and zoning.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? Parking is always an issue, but as I have suggested recently, the Moulder Park netball courts cover a huge flat and sealed area that has just been sitting there basically unused. It is close to the CBD, so would be ideal for folk who work in the CBD, and this would free up parking in the CBD for shoppers. Hospital parking is a priority. Perhaps a multi-level one, and in the meantime see if some arrangements could be brokered to use the old drive-in movie theatre.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? Not at this stage. Why spend millions of dollars without a cost/benefit analysis and a business and marketing plan. Orange has a wide range of sporting facilities but many need upgrading with toilets, parking and shelter a priority. Some are grossly under-utilised and with good planning could have far better utilisation. Partnerships in with the schools, private clubs like the NSW Waratahs, Emus and Towac Park are well worth exploring.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? I believe we have a unique precinct at and around Lake Canobolasand Mount Canobolas. If we work with Cabonne council we could have a unique sporting and passive recreational precinct. This would include mountain biking, a scout area for camping and fitness training/events, running and triathlon events, dragon boating, bush walking, orienteering, fishing, picnicking and just enjoying the ambiance of the Towac Valley. As far as special projects go … to get Orange’s basic infrastructure to a standard that the majority of folk accept. This includes footpaths and roads and a strategic plan for future urban and industrial growth. A mountain biking complex from Mountain Canobolas offers thousand upon thousand visitors to Orange that would certainly increase the diversity of offerings our great city has. But if we do not get moving on it in the near future we may get left behind.