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

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 34.

Family: My husband is Clarence Da Cruz, we don’t have children yet.

What do you do for a living? Dentist.

How long have you lived in Orange? Nine years.

What is the best part of living in Orange? Being a part of the friendly and welcoming community and the beautiful environment Orange provides.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? Given my personal and professional history, I believe I can represent many young professionals in Orange, NSW and work towards making positive changes within the local community. I want to ensure the voices of my community are heard and acknowledged and develop strong relationships throughout my community to make future changes.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? It is very easy to be critical from the sideline. I have no complaints with the current council but feel that I have a contribution to make that will further benefit this community. I can assure those that I represent that my position and opinions will always be in their best interests.

If elected, would you lobby to reduce, maintain or raise rates? We are living in a time when organisations must examine their operating costs, given that further revenue opportunities are becoming limited. The people of Orange are finding that making ends meet is becoming more difficult. Council needs to look at all its activities to see where costs can be reduced and savings made. I believe council should restrict its rate rises in the foreseeable future to a maximum of CPI increases.

If you would reduce rates, which services or council undertakings would you eliminate to do so? On the assumption the council is currently not undertaking any services that are unnecessary, it is more a case of looking for ways in which those services can be more efficiently and cost effectively provided. Emerging technologies are creating many opportunities for these types of changes and I would be looking to see that council is taking advantage of such opportunities as they arise. In addition, we need to be looking at tweaking existing costs in all areas to minimise outlays.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? No doubt, any amount spent in this area could always be increased. However, I understand that council must operate within its revenue limitations and I accept the current budget of $17 million. As to the priority of roads, I am assuming that council has based their recommendations on sound usage figures and community feedback. I intend to review both items once I’m elected council.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Many people from Orange and out of Orange have benefited from the Northern Distributor Road. It helps to dilute traffic and reroute heavy vehicles outside of town. However, the proper maintenance and roadwork must consider local weather and traffic conditions to provide an adequate service. Because it is a major road I would like council to continue to lobby state government to take responsibility for its upkeep. This would free up further funds for road maintenance in local areas.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? Given that there is no shortage of industrial land already available in Orange, I am unsure about the wisdom of this rezoning. I understand there are concerns regarding implications to the water supply in the Spring Hill residents would prefer it left as agricultural land. If elected to council, this will become one matter that I would investigate in more detail from both sides of the proposal.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? The ideal answer to this question is another business like Electrolux that would bring employment to the Orange area. Council needs to be actively seeking new businesses to relocate to our wonderful city. Given the fast-growing technology industry, maybe this area could become an innovation centre for both small and large technology manufacturers.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I would find it very hard to be convinced that anyone from that area representing council could maintain complete impartiality. Perception often becomes reality therefore I believe that such representatives on council will always raise suspicion in the minds of those that council represents.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council needs to create a long-term plan to encourage businesses and people to Orange. The sight of empty shops on a Summer Street gives a very negative signal that businesses in that area do not do well. The recent closure of Myer had a further negative impact on business in the area. Council needs to examine ways in which businesses might be incentivised to open those empty shops. We need to examine those areas of retail that we lack in Orange and find ways to bring those industries into our city. Many businesses are being forced out of Sydney of the growth in residential apartments and homes and Orange has an opportunity to present those businesses with the financial benefits of moving to Orange. Activity brings prosperity and council should examine all the possibilities it has at its disposal to bring about an increase in activity.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? No, there is not enough, especially car parks near Department of Primary Industries and on Summer street. A new parking complex is very much in need in these areas. If there is no opportunity for the development of car parking in the CBD, and those existing car parks should be extended by way of multi-storey. Difficulty in parking reduces the activity so needed by those businesses operating in Orange.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I have listened to both sides of this argument, but I tend to lean towards the “yes” vote. Provided we can have the state government contribute to the funding, and a major sporting complex complete with a first-class conference centre which will serve to bring more businesses and people to the area. Anything that will advertise the benefits of Orange to those outside the area can only serve to improve business and thus the living standards all those in our community. Once on council, I will once again examine the arguments of both sides in more detail, but I will be persuaded more by projects that will bring more business to Orange.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? I am interested in contributing to all matters conducted by council, but of course my first priority is to see that good medical treatment in all areas is available to all those in our community, regardless of status. Through my role as president of Orange’s Young Professionals I hope to bring together a community of health-conscious professionals, from whom I intend to obtain recommendations to put before council. Orange is a wonderful place to live and I would like to see it grow as the standard for community health care.