Stuart Pearson - Economic Development

Ingrid Pearson - Architecture and Planning

Richard Hurford - Former Anglican Bishop of Bathurst, Community and Pastoral Care

Irene Hancock - Health and Inclusiveness

Diana Stewart - Grazier, White Dorper Sheep and Boer Goat breeder

There is strength in numbers and with 5 candidates as a team. As the majority of people vote above the line for teams, it may just be possible to have more than one candidate elected.

PRIORITIES:

My three priorities are:

Create a Director of Business & Economic Development within Council to bring the Council and the Chamber of Commerce closer together. Work on attracting and retaining businesses to the Bathurst region and also reduce red tape, especially for small to medium (SME) businesses.

Promote and market Cultural tourism to sit alongside Sports tourism to create an additional stream of revenue for the Bathurst region.

This next term of Council will coincide with the bicentenary of the Declaration of Martial Law in 1824. It is important to work towards a true reconciliation with Wiradyuri elders, and to respect and celebrate Wiradyuri history and culture.

BIMC: I, and the Bathurst Matters Team are in favour of an Integrated Medical Centre. In fact, we demand one. We also reserve the right to negotiate with the developer to improve the project. We are also in favour of higher density and height limits where appropriate. Why? Because we are in favour of a dynamic, revitalised and vibrant CBD.

WATER SECURITY: Council should have a phased plan for increasing efficiency with water usage and storage. Starting with increased capacity of domestic rainwater tanks to 5,000 litres, then through water recycling, wetlands, underground pipes from Chifley and Winburndale dams to the Bathurst water treatment plant. All these steps should be taken before consideration is given to raising existing dam walls or building hugely expensive new ones.

RIVER CROSSING: Yes. I understand Council has spent considerable money commissioning external consultants to produce a Traffic Management Report for the CBD and a new river crossing. This document has not yet been made public, so it is difficult to make a considered response to the location of the additional river crossing without access to the report of experts.

AMBULANCE STATION: I think the former ambulance station could become part of a much larger site for a regional arts and museum complex. This cultural gateway to the city would welcome visitors and locals alike.

GO-KART TRACK: Would like to discuss this location with the Club before answering.

RATES CAP: No

BUSINESS COMMUNITY: See my answer to Question 2.

WOMEN'S VOICE: Out of the five members on my team, three are women. I also note that there are a total of 27 women running for Bathurst Regional Council, representing almost 40 per cent of all candidates.

COUNCIL DIVISIONS: Politics should be about the art of negotiation, and I believe in consensus politics negotiating the best outcome for the Bathurst community.

FUNDING: I have not accepted, nor will I accept, donations from political parties or third-party campaigners. My campaign is mainly funded by my wife, Ingrid, and myself, together with contributions from family and friends.