Name of ticket or independent: Team Hamling ticket – Group C.

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 41.

Family: Married to Jason, three sons Lawson (13), D’Arcy (11), Mortimer (8).

What do you do for a living? eCommunications Officer for NSW Department of Primary Industries.

How long have you lived in Orange? 17 years.

What is the best part of living in Orange? The aesthetic qualities of the city – it’s heritage buildings, wide streets, beautiful trees and parks as well as the food and wine culture.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? To bring more balance to the council in terms of gender and perspective on current issues.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? The current council has made some historic decisions around development for the city, and those decisions have been backed by a progressive way of thinking. We can see the results of those decisions in our Orange Regional Museum, Anzac Park indoor sports centre, Orange Aquatic Centre and Northern Distributor Road, Anzac Memorial and redevelopment of the old hospital site.

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 would lobby to maintain rates.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? I don’t think you can ever have enough money in the bucket. The main arterial streets through the CBD and our ring road should receive priority.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Joining the proposed Southern Distributor to the NDR would give Orange a complete ring road and move more heavy traffic out of the CBD. We need to continue to lobby the state government to take over this road as a state highway.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I think the airport site is underutilised and with the injection of funds into the facility, along with the arrival of two new air services, we need to look at any option for supporting industries to establish themselves here. I would support development that is deemed suitable for the site.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? Any new business that is considering a relocation to Orange and needs a large factory space and distribution channels, it’s ready made, and council should be pursuing potential industry from metropolitan areas.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? Anyone with a desire to serve the best interests of their city should be able to put up their hand to represent the rate payers. Getting elected to council is a democratic process and if you don’t believe a real estate agent is the best person to represent you, then you can vote for someone else.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Orange City Council should strive to have a name for making things happen. This includes marketing the city and surrounding region utilising modern channels, where information and attractions are listed clearly and promote a call to action for potential new businesses or residents.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? At peak periods it can be difficult to find car parking close to your preferred shopping or service options. Perhaps an additional car park could be developed near the Ex-Services’ Club car park in Sale Street.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I support the complex in principle, I’m not sure that the location is right for this development.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? A council subsidised Learn To Swim program for every child in Orange, a Regional Culinary and Hospitality School and the development of a sporting precinct.