We're running as a group because we need locals on council who have a track record in getting things done, who know what it takes to run and grow a business, and who listen to what ratepayers want from their council.

PRIORITIES:

There are a number of major projects which have been all talk for years that we need to get on with.

The top three are raising the Ben Chifley Dam wall and ensuring our long-term water security, getting another river crossing built which runs off Rankin Street, and planning for a heavy vehicle bypass around town, making the CBD safer for locals, and giving industry room to grow on the outskirts of town.

BIMC: We're behind it 100% in its current form. There's no question.

Heritage and modern buildings can co-exist - we can't let Bathurst be held hostage by heritage and deny locals access to the services they deserve.

WATER SECURITY: We've been talking about this for years - let's get on with plans to raise the Ben Chifley Dam wall. At the moment, there's around 7,250 backyard swimming pools flowing over the wall every day. Imagine if we could save just some of that for the future.

We also need to keep going with a range of other projects, like more residential and commercial water storage, the pipeline from Winburndale Dam and water harvesting.

RIVER CROSSING: Absolutely, it's something we committed to on day one of our campaign. We haven't come late to the party because of recent weather - we've been consistent. It should run off Rankin Street parallel to Hereford Street.

Detailed planning needs to be done, particularly around land acquisition and alternative routes - and if there's a better option identified, let's get on with it. We can't be having this discussion at the next election.

AMBULANCE STATION: It's an iconic building and should be available for the community to enjoy in some form. I'd love to see it turned into a restaurant or boutique hotel, an upstairs garden bar or some outside dining. In either case, it deserves a new life and has great potential to become a vibrant destination in the CBD.

GO-KART TRACK: Yes, absolutely. I understand the Club has an appropriate funding model comprising of a loan, fundraising plan and sporting grants from the State and Federal Government. We need to back this project - let's not underestimate the boost it could have for the town and iconic go-karting events that could be staged there, given its co-location with Mount Panorama.

Mount Panorama is a major strength for our town - the most iconic thing about Bathurst since the Federation conference held at the Court House pre-1900s. Let's stop talking about the racetrack like it's a drawback, it's not. We need to use our strengths to boost the town. There's so much potential here.

RATES CAP: Absolutely not. I'd like to see the plan to dispose of underutilised assets and how we capitalise on private investment before we talk about rates. Increasing rates isn't the only thing council can do to boost their bottom line.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY: Let's actually have an open dialogue with business owners. Too often, the only time locals hear from council is when it gets in the way. That needs to change.

We need people on council who know what challenges the business community is facing, who know what it takes to run and grow a business. That's what Team Back Bathurst bring to the table. We'll take those conversations with business owners into the council chamber. We'll work to reduce red-tape, back the medical centre to bring in more foot traffic, increase parking options in the CBD, and look at how we can start to fill the 70 vacant premises in town.

WOMEN'S VOICE: Yes they are. I'm pleased we have Natalie Moase on our Team, who's a successful local businesswoman. There's no doubt we need more like her running, and on council. But I've got to say, people in the community who are getting on with things, running a business, focussing on their career, would look at the last few years in the chamber and wonder why they should bother. Let's bring some respect back to council, let's show we can work together to get things done, let's actually work to community expectations - and then I believe we'll see some positive change in the calibre of people putting their hands up.

COUNCIL DIVISIONS: I've called out this behaviour. There's a lot covered in the answer above, but in addition to that, unusually we've decided not to preference others on the ballot. We're standing in our own right, on our own merits.

There are so many important projects we need to get on with and we'll need consensus across the chamber. We're all adults, we need to sort out the petty culture we've seen over the last few years and be professional. The same applies to stakeholder groups too - many of which engage in passionate debate, particularly on social media.

We need to lift the standard, treat each other with respect and be prepared to negotiate. The community deserves better.

FUNDING: My campaign is entirely self-funded.