Name: Kevin Duffy.
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Name of ticket or Independent: Duffy/Patteson Independants.
Are you a mayoral candidate? Yes, I previously served two years as mayor of another council. Mayoral pledge: transparent, accountable, inclusive, proceduraly fair and experianced. Advise all of Mayoral and General Manager Movements as part of an Agenda Item of the Council Meeting. Work closely with and support both State and Federal Local representatives to achieve positive outcomes. Irrespective of their political persuasion. Encourage Councillors to be involved in Consultation as elected representatives with Community Organisations EG. CWA etc. Invite Councillors and encourage Councillors to participate and observe at Regional Bodies eg: CENTROC etc. Encourage Councillors to pursue Training and Conference Attendance to keep up to date with Council Reform so that more informed decisions can be made. Instigate a review of all Council Policies and Delegations and Improve Councillor facilities. Instigate complete review of Councils Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures. The only Councillor that has completed the Elected Executive Representative Course.
Are you currently an Orange councillor? Yes.
Age: 63.
Family: Married to Sandra, Four Adult Children, Robert, Renee, Ben and Mitch and 8 Grand Children.
What do you do for a living? Small Business Farming Bus Driver
How long have you lived in Orange? My family have been associated with Orange virtually since its European settlement , Namely since the Robertson Land Act.
What is the best part of living in Orange? It’s Diversity, Its Four seasons, Great Educational Schools and it is now fast becoming a centre of Excellence for Health.
Why are you running for Orange City Council? To improve our quality of life. The core principle of council is to provide services that maintains and improves our quality of life. How well we can walk on our footpaths, how well we can drive on our roads, how comfortable are we at our sporting venues, how safe are we around our public facilities, how clean is our water, how well we maintain our essential services of water and sewer including fire hydrants, etc … all this at an affordable price.
How would you assess the performance of the current council? Gradually lost Confidence and contact with the general public, Became arrogant, The chamber was often full of concerned Residents and Ratepayers, hence the large number of Candidate Nominations.
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? I pledge to do everything in my power to freeze rates and fees for at least 1 to 2 years. We have seen massive rise in Water charges as an example. Chapter 13 of the Local Government Act relates to Integrating Planning and Reporting. Sections 400 to 406 are all about the Transparency of Council. Council did not receive a pass mark from me. Councillors lacked training in this Chapter.
Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? Councillors have not been provided with Asset Management Plan details that indicates what money is required to bring each and every road to an acceptable standard. That is the reason why a roads moratorium is urgently required followed by public consultation.
What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Complete its Repairs and enter dialogue with the State Government with the view of them taking it over.
The core principle of council is to provide services that maintains and improves our quality of life.
- Kevin Duffy
Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I opposed the Rezoning for a number of reasons. There is No Business Study done. There is no financial Study Done, There is no genuine Water Aquifer Study done. The area is Prime Agricultural Land. A lot more needs to be done. It should remain as prime agricultural land and act as a buffer for the Airport itself. That leaves the GATEWAY PLANNING PROCESS available to Business which would allow specific Industry to occur if it met all requirements, EG Environmental Impact Statements, etc,,, Business developers know that the gateway process is available and if there was a company bringing 50, 100 or 500 plus jobs the relevant Government ministers would be doing cartwheels up and down Summer Street say “look at me, look at me”
What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? Would immediately engage Government and Developers to seek their assistance and ideas. Automatically remove council as a competitor in the real estate industry. Leave development to the Developers.
Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I do not have a problem with the current requirement for eligibility to stand as a Councillor. Generations of Australians have fought for the right for Women to vote, Equal Pay, Our Indigenous friends to vote etc.. All this is inclusive for our community to be fair, not exclusive. I have an issue if Candidates do not state the obvious in their Nominations as perceived by the general public of their Local Government Area.
What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Engage Governments for decentralisation, Seek Doctors Medical School for Orange, Consultation with the industry and review the Business Rates Category.
Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? Parking is an ongoing issue and needs to be reviewed every 2 years. Moulder Park netball courts should be immediately constructed for parking.
Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? No, this Complex will cost tens of millions of dollars. Do Wade Park up first. It’s the most Iconic ground in the Central West. The proposed Sporting Complex should be considered around the Care Flight Helicopter complex, rectangular fields should also be accommodated there. The current selected site has Asbestos issues and no level of Asbestos is acceptable’ It is unacceptable that a Private school virtually has better grounds than Council.
Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? Long Point road link to Mudgee: Engage in dialogue with both State and Federal Governments for concept plans, costings and Corridor for a new regional. This allows most Central West cities and towns to be just over an hour from the best Regional Hospital in country NSW plus the economic benefits of Tourism etc. Showground rehabilitation: Cattle Pavilion, Sheep Pavilion, Poultry Pavilion, Bird Pavilion, Drainage; Re Establish the ring. Gosling Creek, Spring Creek. Lanobolas: Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Series Track, Aqua Park, Rowing Centre. Continued support for planetairum, conservatorium, caravan park, truck stop, city improvement. Acknowledgement Statues of our famous past residents. James Dalton, Gwen Meridith, Kenneth Slessor. Etc.