Bathurst councillor Jess Jennings has unveiled a diverse five-person ticket to take into December's council election, placing significant focus on culture, water security, public access, tourism, future-focused investment and integrity.
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Cr Jennings will be joined on his ticket by water security advocate Jennifer Gray [two], disability advocate, writer and actor Angus Thompson [four], and prominent academic and performing artist Dr Kate Smith [five].
"We need to invest in future-focused strategies for Bathurst; there's lots of old buildings in dire need of investment, and I'd like to see a greater push to secure funding to redevelop the TAFE building, the old ambulance station, the Gasworks, the schoolmaster's office and many other assets waiting for their potential to be unlocked," he said.
"We need to bring Bathurst back to life and activate these 'dead zones', and council must take the lead and consider the future."
In a stunning move, fellow councillor Jacqui Rudge will assume the number three spot on Cr Jennings' ticket after confirming last month she will not lead her own ticket at the December election.
"Bathurst needs Jess on council; he's articulate, forward-thinking and takes his role as a councillor very seriously," Cr Rudge said.
"Jess has stood by me during some very difficult times on council, having always displayed great concern and respect and in my mind, integrity is essential to the role of a councillor."
Cr Jennings said he's happy to have Cr Rudge on his ticket, recognising her as a councillor "who knows the ropes better than anyone."
"Jacqui has been the most professional councillor I've observed in the chamber over the past term; she's been through a lot, and hasn't backed down from any of the challenges put in front of her," he said.
Another policy high on Cr Jennings' agenda is committing to current water security projects [i.e. stormwater harvesting, pipeline from Chifley Dam to the Bathurst Water Filtration Plant], as well as water recycling strategies.
Ms Gray said a water recycling strategy for Bathurst is long overdue.
"In 2007, there was $64 billion in federal funding for areas the size of Bathurst to investigate residential recycled water strategies, but our council at the time felt it wasn't necessary," she said.
"Considering we nearly ran out of water early last year, it's something that should be reconsidered."
Cr Jennings also wants to reform the tourism sector to incorporate greater community input, and improve the culture of council.
"Council has degenerated into a toxic mess, Bathurst deserves better," he said.
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