A “NEW York style” green reserve running through Bathurst along the Macquarie River is at the heart of Jess Jennings’ vision for the city over the next 40 years.
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Dr Jennings is the third candidate for the Bathurst Regional Council election to announce his above-the-line ticket for the September 9 poll.
In a curious twist, the former Labor candidate for the federal seat of Calare will have Bathurst Business Chamber vice-president Steve Semmens – a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party – as the Number 2 on his ticket, though he said he was keen to “depoliticise” local government.
“I’ve known Steve for five years or so and we’ve crossed paths occasionally,” Dr Jennings said.
“But I’m glad to have him because he comes from a Bathurst Business Chamber perspective and I think the relationship between council and the chamber needs to improve significantly.”
Dr Jennings has outlined a long-term vision for Bathurst that includes putting the region on a 100 per cent renewable energy footing through the establishment of solar panel farms and installation of battery banks, low density satellite suburbs on the edge of the city linked by a network of cycle paths and high density development within the CBD.
But the jewel in the vision would be an eight kilometre green reserve along the Macquarie River that would be the heart of the Bathurst of the future.
“I’ve been working with a local architect on a concept for a New York style Central Park that runs from the Eglinton Bridge to the old Bathurst Gasworks near Police Paddock,” he said.
“It would provide a green corridor through the city and become a multi-functional space for a whole range of services including recreational and sporting facilities, Aboriginal and cultural representation and environmental reserves linking to the river.”
In the shorter term, Dr Jennings is keen to see Velocity Park come to fruition and wants a greater focus on Bathurst tourism.
“We need to set the tourism sector free by enabling the private sector to play a greater role,” he said.
“One thing we don’t do outside of the race weekend is market to Sydney terribly well.
“If we get greater visitation outside of the race we put tourism on a much better footing.”
Dr Jennings also supports moving to a system of a popularly elected mayor.
Number 3 on Dr Jennings’ ticket will be Whole Food Co-op co-founder Leah Moulden with CSU business student and Bathurst Youth Council member Saskia-Jayne Handley at four and Vale Creek vigneron Tony Hatch at five.
