Name: Jason Hamling.
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Name of ticket or independent: Team Hamling ticket – Group C.
Are you a mayoral candidate? No.
Are you currently an Orange councillor? Yes.
Age: 46.
Family: Married to Melissa, three sons Lawson (13), D’Arcy (11) and Mortimer (8) and black Labrador named Maxi.
What do you do for a living? Head cameraman at WIN Television for 23 years.
How long have you lived in Orange? I’m born and bred in Orange, schooled at Glenroi Public and Canobolas High school sand apart from a few years living in Darwin and overseas, I’ve lived here my whole life.
What is the best part of living in Orange? I enjoy having my family and friends here and the lifestyle with the benefits of city living on your doorstep as well as gorgeous natural bushland just minutes away. The number and variety of outdoor and indoor pursuits available to us is a major benefit of living here. I’m also enjoying the great food and wine culture and the growing focus on eating locally grown produce. Its proximity to Sydney and now with air connections to Brisbane and Melbourne, we have the best of both worlds living in the Central West.
Why are you running for Orange City Council? I want to continue to work to see the projects I’m passionate about come to fruition for this great city. I have experience on council, serving the past three terms as a councillor and two terms as deputy mayor. I’m excited about the next few years for Orange and really want to be part of the team to implement some more milestone achievements.
How would you assess the performance of the current council? Being part of the current council, the amalgamation process was a major interruption during the past 12 months. Before that I felt we were heading in the right direction with some major projects and ideas on the drawing board.
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? It’s a popular answer to say we should reduce rates, but Orange City Council is a multi-million dollar business and we need to be solvent as the cost of living rises. If that means we need to maintain or raise rates in line with CPI then we will have to do so.
Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Which roads should get priority? Our roadworks plan for the next four-year term is adequate, but with a roads and footpath register residents would have the opportunity to report and raise the priority level of any other roads not already in the plan. Public meetings to explain the roads and footpath works plan is essential.
What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Millions of dollars of ratepayers’ money has been spent on the upgrade of the NDR, which is predominantly a bypass for out-of-town traffic. We need to continue negotiations with the State Government to see it take over and maintain this road.
Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport? What should the space be used for in the future? Any new clean, green industry that would consider developing on this site will be able to progress their application due to the re-zoning. I would not support any industry development that would adversely impact the environment or water table in this area. I would love to see a solar farm or an aeronautical business established there. The council has spent money to redevelop the airport in recent years and more supporting industries at the site will only increase patronage, employment and security for the airport site into the future.
I would love to see a solar farm or an aeronautical business established there. The council has spent money to redevelop the airport in recent years and more supporting industries at the site will only increase patronage, employment and security for the airport site into the future.
- Jason Hamling
What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? Council does not own this site but I believe there is potential here for another manufacturing business to consider relocating to. It would be crucial for council to investigate and make attractive this option for any company seeking a central distribution point and ready-made site and workforce.
Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I believe local real estate agents and property developers should have the same right to nominate themselves for local government as a school teacher, business owner or political party member. If elected, they have to manage their own conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and accountability. There are sufficient checks and balances in place if councillors don’t uphold their integrity in this area.
What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? With a ‘can-do’ attitude we can nurture new ideas and entrepreneurial visions. Open and honest dialogue between council, business owners and community groups is essential to work towards a common goal of prosperity for Orange. A strong business chamber is a must and council should welcome robust and regular discussions to result in a positive long term plan.
Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? We could always do with more parking as our population increases, so it is up to council to investigate options for additional car parking areas. Better education and awareness of the available parking areas would help to alleviate the issue.
Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I fully support the sport and recreation complex that council is planning, to include a rectangular field, adjoining playing fields and the opportunity for other sporting groups to co-locate or new sporting facilities to be included such as a synthetic running track or new hockey centre. Walking tracks, cycle tracks and exercise stations could be included at this site, wherever is deemed best for this type of facility. Our 0-4 year age group is the fastest growing demographic (Census) so we will need to accommodate more and more young residents in sporting and recreational pursuits into the future.
Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? I would like to see council enter into a partnership with a private supplier or government agency to give every child the opportunity to learn to swim. I believe regular community council meetings need to be reinstated to ensure communication channels remain open with all ratepayers. A Regional Culinary and Hospitality School is a must to give young residents a place to train and learn skills in our burgeoning food and wine sector. I am also adamant our sporting and recreational facilities need to be upgraded and planned for to provide a better backdrop for the healthy lifestyle our city offers. Lake Canobolas is one area that is underutilised, and with some infrastructure upgrades and more publicity I believe we could see patronage increase in conjunction with the mountain bike track development planned for this area.