Name of ticket or independent: Independent, un-grouped candidate located below the line on the ballot paper.

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 40.

Family: Married for six years to my lovely wife Alicia, a high school teacher, and we have two children aged three and five.

What do you do for a living? I’m employed by the Western New South Wales Local Health District as a Human Resources Partner based in Orange. I travel throughout the Central West on regular occasions for work-related matters.

How long have you lived in Orange? Our family relocated to Orange four years ago and Orange is now our home.

What is the best part of living in Orange? Orange and the people have been wonderful to us. We love the area, its friendliness, the four distinct weather seasons, the open space, the services and facilities on offer in a large regional centre and the close proximity to Sydney and Canberra.

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I’m running for Orange City Council because I care about the community I live in. In my opinion the council also needs to reflect the demographic community that it governs. A good council should be made up of a diverse range of people representing segments of the community. I’ve always had an interest in local government and politics and I decided to nominate to improve the services that council currently delivers to the residents and ratepayers of Orange, as well as seeking transparency, integrity and honesty. Not only that I believe if you are going to nominate for council you should have relevant policies you wish to pursue, not just nominate for the sake of it.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? There has been a perception amongst the community that the current council has not listened to the residents and ratepayers concerns over various matters. There are also regularly reported matters in the media over infighting between councillors which is not beneficial to the community. The large number of nominations that have been received indicates how much the community is seeking change.

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 understand that the residents and ratepayers of Orange pay high rates. In fact according to the time series data that is made available from the NSW Office of Local Government (2014/2015 last published data) the residential council rates for Orange were the 12th highest in New South Wales. I understand councils in regional areas pay for infrastructure that councils in metropolitan areas don’t and the facilities in Orange compared to other regional centres are attractive. However contracts are already in place for certain projects, council employees are still entitled to an annual wage increase as per their employment award. A rates freeze would not be effective in my opinion, simply because it is financial mismanagement and would be detrimental to council’s current budget. You also have the issue of grant money from State and Federal Governments may be placed into jeopardy if council implements a rate freeze. Some candidates are calling for rate freezes for up to two years, this is simply an attempt to win votes in my opinion and not good governance for the future operation of council’s financial resources. I would only support increases in line with current NSW State Government policy.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadwork’s in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? Orange has a terrible reputation for roads. Roads have been neglected in previous council budgets. We’ve been given excuses in the past that they fall apart as it’s hot in summer and cold in winter. The problem isn’t going to be fixed overnight and priority should be given to roads that have a high-traffic volume to get the roads back to a decent condition that people expect.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? The Northern Distributor Road has been an issue since it was opened. Section after section has been closed and re-designed and built again and again and again. The initial traffic volume study that provided figures on the volume of cars using the roads was incorrect. The then State MP for Orange Andrew Gee referred to it as the “Violent Crumble” and called for full transparency and an independent audit and investigation whilst the NRMA named and shamed it as one of the worst roads in NSW. It’s only in the last year that the current council has finally listened to the residents and ratepayers of Orange and taken action to repair the mess. A cynic might think action was only taken due to an election on the horizon. Unless the State Government takes over the road – and who knows what may happen in the lead up to the next State election – council needs to budget for ongoing repairs and maintenance of this road. I just hope the Southern Feeder Road is not constructed using the same specifications as the Northern Distributor.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? I don’t have a problem with aviation-operated businesses or trades within the current airport boundary, however in relation to the industrial re-zoning of land outside the airport is a complex situation which needs to be detailed. There is a document titled ‘Blayney Cabonne Orange Sub Regional Rural and Industrial Land Use Strategy’. This document was produced when the three councils joined forces to undertake a comprehensive rural and industrial lands strategy with the focus of future land use over the next 30 years. One of the requirements of this document was that any proposal would be done in consultation between the three regional councils. Orange City Council has proceeded with the re-zoning and Cabonne and Blayney Councils do not support this. When I launched my campaign I was calling for a review of the land strategy before the re-zoning was considered. Orange City Council has recently proceeded with the re-zoning and the issue was voted on and approved by the majority of Orange City Councillors who attended the meeting. The re-zoning is currently with the NSW Department of Planning for consideration. There has been a lot of talk about the prospect of industry out there, including claims of anywhere between 200 to 800 jobs. Yet no detail has been made available and some councillors have claimed they have not been briefed on the matter with only a selected few councillors briefed due to a commercial-in-confidence proposal. My opinion on the matter is everyone needs a job and the financial security that employment brings with it. Everyone has financial obligations to make. However is this location the best site for a proposal such as this? Bearing in mind no development application has been lodged so no current proposal exists to be assessed. If I was elected to a position on council and this issue arose, I would be advocating for a study to be done to determine the location of the water aquifers and the impact onto the environment and the city’s water supply before any proposal was considered.

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? As this site is currently privately owned and not owned by council it would be a decision for the owner to determine what applicable use is proposed for the site with an application to Council to consider. I will say that it is in an excellent location to the CBD with access to the train line so would be an ideal location for a business.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I believe it creates a perceived conflict of interest when decisions are being made. However at the end of the day it’s up to the NSW State Government to determine who can and who can’t nominate for Local Government.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council can do many things to help attract and maintain businesses within the City such as: ongoing engagement/consultation with the business community/chamber; ensuring the city has good infrastructure that meets business and community expectation; engage with State/Federal Government departments on Local Government matters; lobby for further decentralisation of Government departments to Orange; provide support to the Regional Investment Corporation as they set up in Orange; build strong relationships with business; provide incentives for businesses to relocate/operate from Orange; promotion of the city through trade and tourism; and support the shop local but local campaign

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed?I believe at present there is. You may not be able to park right outside the location of your choice however within a block or two on most occasions car parking is available. The council does operate an all-day car parking venue on Lords Place and Kite Street and obviously there are other car parks available for short-term use. The issue of car parking will have to be reviewed as the population and commercial premises grow.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I support the concept, however I believe further investigation needs to be determined as to what sports will use the precinct and what happens with Wade Park and its future. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my sport. However big proposals like this are great when you flush with money. This project would only get the go ahead with assistance from the NSW and Federal Government. My main concern is taking away the main sporting precinct away from the CBD. At present Wade Park is within walking distance to the CBD, is close to pubs/cafes and accommodation providers. I know there is debate about Wade Park being used for rugby league and cricket and it’s not great that league is played on a cricket pitch. However building a new sporting complex next to the Northern Distributor Road is out of town, everyone would have to drive there instead of walking to the venue and initial plans indicate access to and from off the Northern Distributor Road.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? If elected I would advocate for the following:

- I would set aside a portion of my councillor’s allowance to enable two children from the Orange Local Government Area to undertake learn to swim lessons at the Orange Aquatic Centre for 12 months. This would be on a rotational 12-month period. Learning how to swim is a life skill and with the amount of young children not knowing how to swim is a concern. We are a country surrounded by water and in this area many dams, lakes and creeks, learning how to swim is a must.

- I would love to see a running/walking track around the Waratahs sporting precinct in north Orange. Council would have to work with the current operators of the land. With the lack of footpaths in north Orange (north of the distributor) and the amount of people that I see running/walking on the roads (especially early morning) this would be able to be achieved around the outsides of the current sporting fields. Council could use a hot mix to construct a small track that would enable people to utilise the facility and parking is available at the Waratahs sporting complex.

- Council meetings recorded to be recorded. Whether it’s audio, visual or both is not relevant. What is relevant is that council shows that it’s transparent with its decision making processes. Previously there have been concerns over broadcasting council meetings due to council being held liable for any defamatory comments. In my opinion professionalism is needed by all councillors here.

- Review the mayoral and Ccouncillor expenses policy. According to the NSW Office of Local Government Orange City Council spent $215,160 on ‘mayoral and councillor interstate travel’ in 2014-2015. That was the highest in NSW compared to other councils. Considering the current council is only allocating $300,000 to footpaths for the next year the money needs to be spent wisely. Source: www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/my-local-council/yourcouncil-website.

- Complete an audit of bus shelters within the city boundaries to determine which ones should be given priority for covered shelters for users of public transport.

- Advocate for funding from State and Federal Governments for the completion of the Southern Feeder Road. The last thing I want is another Northern Distributor Road debacle.

- Ensure Master plans for future residential subdivisions are done. North Orange is a patch of varying shapes and sizes of land and dwellings with little open space for parks/children’s playgrounds.

- Cultural change for councillors to convert from streams of paper to laptops/Ipads for business papers and committee meetings. The amount of paper used for councillors to prepare for meetings is staggering. Plans could be printed when needed for contentious issues need to be discussed.

- Ensuring road funding is at an adequate level for better local roads.

- Advocate for a twice yearly on demand household bulky goods collection service.

- Ensure greater community consultation is undertaken prior to any development occurring on the old Orange Base Hospital site.

- Advocate for greater local events in new markets that benefit the whole community (not just food and wine)

- Advocate for greater budget increase on footpath spending

- Ensure footpaths are built in all new residential subdivisions

- Installation of lockers within the Orange Aquatic Centre so all users can enjoy the facility whilst their belongings are safe and secure

- Request a review of the current trading hours of the Orange Aquatic Centre

- Advocate for a study to be done to ascertain whether swimming can be permitted at Gosling Creek Reserve