1. Marg Hogan. Business, Media, Marketing & Design

A communications specialist with experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, media, copywriting and graphic design. Owner of Red Moon Creative. Has worked at state and local government level and with a variety of boutique businesses particularly in the food, wine and tourism sector.

2. Gerarda Mader. Business & Community

Strong local businesswoman with wide networks throughout the business and volunteer community. Daughter of Dutch immigrants, Gerarda understands and appreciates the beautiful diversity of language, culture and customs and champions the importance of inclusion and collaboration.

3. Ashley Bland. Business, Environment & Community

Environmental consultant and owner of Constructive Energy. Currently working with 12 other councils around the state helping them take advantage of the renewable energy transition. Pragmatic and future thinking, Ashley is exactly the the representative Bathurst needs to help navigate issues relating to water and climate change.

4. Kalmadyne Goombrydge (Jim Beale) Community & Culture

Kalmadyne has been a community man all his life, coaching junior rugby league for 16 years, junior intergroup league for six, junior cricket for four and junior basketball for two. As a proud Aboriginal man he is hoping to raise awareness about Wiradyuri cultural heritage and make the Council chamber a more welcoming and inclusive place.

5. Dave Rankine Business, Community & Communications

Dave is best known for his six years running Bathurst City Life which gave him an 'access all areas' pass to the region and a unique appreciation of the wonderful community that calls Bathurst home. He is now working across the state with the SES.

PRIORITIES:

1. Support the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre development.

2. Improve community consultation and communication.

3. Encourage climate sensitive development including securing our ongoing water supply and water quality.

BIMC: We support the BIMC, the site, the height and the carpark development. We have submitted our thoughts about some of the design elements through the "your say" community consultation process and we hope the developer is open to those, particularly in regards to softening the facade as they've done in Albury. We will judge future developments on their individual merit.

WATER SECURITY: We support climate sensitive development. We'd like to see the introduction of a rain water tank subsidy scheme and ensure that future suburbs are water neutral with stormwater capture, grey water recycling and rainwater + potable water systems. Our decisions around water will be determined by science and data i.e.: we need accurate flow data to make sound decisions. Water security and ensuring the quality of our water is a major priority for our all team.

RIVER CROSSING: Yes. A number of studies are currently underway about the actual location so I would need to wait for the outcome of those to give you a considered response about this.

AMBULANCE STATION: Council adopted a Conservation Management Plan about this beautiful building at the October meeting. The building was originally funded by the then Council and by community fundraising so ideally it would be great if at least part of it could be available for community classes and events, perhaps even a community art gallery. As the gateway to the CBD it would be great to see the ground floor activated into a casual dining precinct, such as (but a more smaller version) of Spice Alley just off Broadway in Sydney.

GO-KART TRACK: If noise concerns etc are addressed and there is wide community support, I would be open to a track there. I think there is merit in the track being multi-purpose ie: catering for mini motos and learner driving so that more people in the community can use it, especially if that loan money is to be used. Given that the initial loan was achieved though the questionable use of a Mayoral Minute and was the subject of criticism from the wider community, I would prefer that the funding came from state or federal government grants and funding programs and I'd be happy to lend my support to that.

RATES CAP: If there is to be any future rate rise it would require community consultation and the support of the community. It would then be referred to an independent body - IPART (the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal - for review. At this stage I would need more information to give you a firm response.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY: Our first proposal would be that the nine new councillors host a day long forum in the new year and invite the business community, the heritage community, the GM and Council directors along with relevant business and heritage staff to thrash out the issues that are currently causing a divide. Strengthen the relationship and communication between the business community and council. Provide strong leadership and advocacy to pursue grants and funding outside of Bathurst and to proactively attract new projects with potential investors. Promote and develop the potential of the Town Square precinct to make it a vibrant, living, exciting central precinct that draws people into the centre of the city.

WOMEN'S VOICE: By running myself. And having a second strong woman in Gerarda Mader as my number 2. If elected, we'll ensure women have an ongoing opportunity to Be Heard! And this approach will apply not only to women but to all groups within the community, especially those who feel they don't have a voice in the current chamber.

COUNCIL DIVISIONS: I'll listen to their point of view and I'll take them seriously. As Australian author Hugh Mackay said in one of our interviews "It's perfectly possible...to have a really robust argument, a really strong disagreement, and to do it kindly." That will be the approach I take forward if elected.

FUNDING: I have had one reportable donation of $1500 from a friend who was willing to support any good new candidate. When I put my hand up, he elected to support me. Any other smaller donations have come from family, friends and supporters within the community. We have not accepted a cent from any major players in the heritage or business community. At the time of writing we have received just over $6000 in donations.