Name of ticket or Independent: Independent.

Are you a mayoral candidate? Yes.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? Yes.

Age: 76.

Family: Married to Diane and we have three children.

What do you do for a living? Retired with business interests in Orange.

How long have you lived in Orange? 44 years.

What is the best part of living in Orange? It is a growing, vibrant regional city with job and career opportunities for everyone, especially our young generation. Also the four wonderful seasons.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I enjoy being involved in the development of our great city. Meeting people to hear their views, both positive and negative, on how they wish to see the direction our city be developed in relation to population, cultural and sporting facilities and jobs growth.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? The current council has achieved some great outcomes, like the Macquarie pipeline project and other steps to guarantee our water supply. However, the botched amalgamation process was very disruptive and there were occasions and decisions made that portrayed council in a less than professional manner.

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? Council is currently limited by State Government legislation to rate pegging of around 3 per cent increase annually. I agree with this formula as it forces councils to operate within this limit whilst continuing to meet most expectations of the community.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? $17 million is far in excess of some previous years and roads in Orange were generally not up to an acceptable standard.   However many years of neglect cannot be overcome in one year. Priority should be given to: Forest Road to the Orange Health Service; Cargo Road to the boundary with Cabonne; Ploughmans Lane; and the many older internal roads that are suffering through increased traffic numbers.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? The next big priority for the Northern Distributor Road is the proposed roundabout at the Hill Street-William Maker Drive intersection.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I agree with the proposed light industrial re-zoning of the Orange Airport Business Park. I especially support the development of aircraft maintenance facilities that will increase usage of the airport.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? I will support any suitable proposal for the former Electrolux site. However until council receives a Development Application for the site the future is unknown.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? Real estate agents and developers are business people with specialised knowledge and appreciation of where this city is heading. Provided they declare any interests in items before council they should be allowed to be on council and express their views and knowledge.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council plays a vital role in representing our city in a positive way at trade fairs, food and wine festivals. Council also has a very important role to play in representing the city at meetings with State and Federal Members and Ministers or Heads of Departments. Council also plays a vital role in how our city is presented, rates that are charged and how general services are provided.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? There will always be times when parking is seen to be less than expected, e.g. Christmas period. Council is currently investigating how the former netball courts off Anson Street may be utilised. Council is also carrying out a review of current parking time limits on our streets to ensure that spaces available are utilized as efficiently as possible.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I support the concept proposal. However I believe it is to be a somewhat medium- to long-term project as the city grows.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? The proposed new conservatorium-planetarium project is a high priority that will add to the cultural and educational facilities of our city. The next stages of the Southern Feeder Road, especially the link over the railway line and the extension linking it with Woodward Street. The development of the proposed cycle paths in the Mount Canobolas State Park