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

Are you a mayoral candidate? No.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 40.

Family: I am an independent mum of two boys; Elliot (11) and Joey (9). My parents are Len and Maria Banks.

What do you do for a living? I am the Executive Officer of the Orange Business Chamber, I also work as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher’s aide at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School and a mum of two young boys. I have owned and managed my own businesses from the age of 18 until selling Mac-HIRE in February this year. Before Mac-HIRE I worked hard as a ‘Lady Tradie’ signwriter for 15 years (Alicia’s Signs) and in this time I also taught my trade at TAFE.

How long have you lived in Orange? 26 years.

What is the best part of living in Orange? Bringing up a family in a place where we are very fortunate in having excellent schools, health services, sporting facilities and business opportunities. Owning my businesses over the last 22 years I have had to opportunity to be heavily involved in the Orange community; sponsoring many local community events, festivals and charities, this has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a business owner. I have been on many local boards and committees for local sporting clubs and schools. 

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I have had the pleasure in growing up in Orange and would love to give more to the Orange community; supporting families, small business, the arts, tourism, sport and job security for our future generations. In my job at the Orange Business Chamber I work closely with the Orange City Council, DPI, RDA ,NSW Business Chamber, Brand Orange and the BEC working on local, state and federal Government issues, grants/funds, and developing positive growth and tourism for the Orange community.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? Team Hamling would like to continue to build on the work the current council has started, and congratulate the council on work completed; The Orange Regional Museum and visitors centre, Orange Aquatic Centre, Anzac cenotaph in Robertson Park, and the Anzac Park/PCYC indoor sports complex.

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? Having managed my own businesses, I cannot justify reducing or increasing the rates without seeing figures of past and current budgets.

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? I would like to see the program that council has for the next four years to comment. Community meetings with councillors could bring awareness of small and large roads projects that could potentially be dealt with straight away.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? I would like to see the State Government maintain the NDR, I do not think it is right for ratepayers money to be spent on a road that its main purpose is to redirect visiting traffic to bypass Orange.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? The industrial zoning is in place. If industrial zoning means more jobs and an application was to be lodged for an industry that would not negatively impact the environment or water table in this area, I would support it. 

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? Council does not own this site. However it would be fantastic for it to be back in use ASAP, potentially for another manufacturing company or perhaps for Team Hamling’s proposed Culinary School. 

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? My opinion is that real estate agents and property developers should have the same opportunity to nominate for local council as any other occupation. It is up to the public to vote for them or not. If elected, as long as they follow the correct procedure to declare an interest if the situation arises, then I have no problem with them.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Alliances with the OBC, NSWBC, BEC, DPI, RDA and community business groups will continue to help businesses prosper in Orange. Council has introduced the ‘Shop Local’ card initiative that encourages shoppers to spend their money in town and for others to do so too. Accommodation and tourism are major components in supporting the growth of business in our town, while tourism is on the rise for Orange, you would like to assume these visitors are spending money in our local shops, having a stroll through our magnificent parks, competing on our sporting fields and in our complexes, visiting local vineyards, restaurants and feeling welcome in this wonderful community. It would be great to see the vacant shops fill and thrive again.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? In busy times of the year, parking is in demand. It could be an option to add a multi-level car park to the Sale Street parking area.

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? Yes I support the purpose build complex, however I’m not convinced the acquired land is the correct location for it. Even though Orange has many sporting facilities and complexes, the idea of large sporting events able to be hosted by Orange is exciting, not only so the country kids don’t have to travel to places like Sydney or Port Macquarie, but also these large sporting events have a huge positive impact on business growth in our city. Some events that this sporting complex could attract are: NSW touch football, Music events and festivals, Little Athletics and regional and state athletics carnivals. Sporting facility upgrades in Orange have already drawn these levels of competitions for other sports; NSW Gymnastics, Basketball and Netball at the PCYC complex, the Bicycle NSW events and NSW swimming carnivals, and this proposed complex will be big enough to host the events that need more land area.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? A healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically for our families - young and old; a council subsidised learn-to-swim program for every child in Orange; a regional culinary and hospitality school; the development of the purpose-built sporting complex; activities for the aged utilising the aquatic centre, PCYC, Lake Canobolas and the art gallery; mountain bike track and development of the Lake Canobolas site and the scout camp site; encouragement of tenants in the vacant shops in the CBD; and support of the Orange Regional Conservatorium