Mr Hillier said on Friday he would decide within the next couple of months whether to mount a challenge.

He said he would either stand on his own as a Labor or independent candidate or, would consider joining a current councillor’s ticket – most likely another Labor stalwart, Cr Glenn Taylor.

Mr Hillier said he was currently the member of five council committees. They focus on crime prevention, environmental sustainability, cycling, sport and recreation and road safety.

“I’m on the most of them for people who are not councillors,” he said.

“I’m still working on the best strategy, whether it be leading a ticket or running on an existing councillor’s ticket.”

Mr Hillier said the council needed fresh faces.

“It needs more younger participation, fresh ideas.”

He said improving conditions for cyclists would be part of his platform.

“I want to make Orange number one as a cycling destination.”

That included improving roads with resurfacing being widened to include the shoulders where cyclists ride.

Mr Hillier said Orange needed a business centre where small companies could hire short-term space and local firms needed increased preference when tendering for council work.