Name of ticket or independent: Taylor ticket – Group E.

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 26.

Family: Partnered.

What do you do for a living? Full-time official of the Australian Workers’ Union.

How long have you lived in Orange? Born and bred.

What is the best part of living in Orange? Close family and friends.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? Orange needs someone youthful that can see the long-term future of the city. I would like to see a progressive council that is active in lobbying state and federal governments for better services and funding.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? There are a number of current councillors who have served this city well and there are some where a change of guard is in need.

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? To reduce the rates would be near impossible, however any increases would need to take into consideration the growth rate of the city, what services would be supplied and if the increase is viable for the ratepayer.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? It’s my understanding that this budget is a record-breaking budget for roadwork, which has been long overdue. The roads that should get priority are those which head in and out of town and those which receive a large amount of traffic.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? The north side of Orange is the fastest growing part of town and the Northern Distributor is its main service road. There needs to be more services attached to that road, for example a better service station that is easier to access.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? The re-zoning of the airport is a contentious issue and both sides have very reasonable arguments. Since the down turn of manufacturing in this country,  I have been forced to negotiate countless redundancies and have witnessed mass unemployment. It is a welcome change to have discussions about growth and long-term economic stability for this area. Council should be doing everything possible to create jobs for our community.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? The Electrolux factory is a privately-owned location that has many issues, including asbestos.  The most acceptable proposal I have heard would be the State Government using this facility as a rail maintenance depot.  

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I have no issue with real estate agents, provided all conflicts of interest are declared, not only when appointed to council but whenever there could be a perceived conflict. It will be the mayor’s job to determine if it is a conflict or not. 

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council should be constantly reviewing its strategies to promote business growth and to attract business expansion out of Sydney.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? There is a parking shortage, not only in the CBD but around our sporting facilities as well. A review needs to take place to determine if the parking limits need to be adjusted and where additional parking should be created.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? Sport is a major part of living in Orange and there is a number of existing sporting facilities. Before I can make a decision, I would need to see more information of the impact on the existing facilities and see the community’s support for this complex.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? Permanent full-time jobs are a big issue for Orange and council needs to more active in encouraging business expansion and providing services to encourage new employers to the area.