Orange Councillors & Candidates

Councillor John Davis - Mayor

Age:                    59

Marital Status:      Married to Kay (32 years this year)

Children:              3 – Cassandra, Benjamin & Gabrielle

Grandchildren:      2 – Mya & Jackson… so far

About me:

I was raised in Orange and went to Orange Public School, and then Orange High School.

My wife and I own and operate John Davis Motors (Mazda & Suzuki) since 1983. We are very proud of our business – we are the biggest Country Mazda Dealer in Australia and have received Mazda’s highest Award ‘Mazda Master Dealer’ in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

I have been local government for 21 years – 17 years on Blayney Shire Council with the last 10 as the Mayor and the last 4 years on Orange City Council as a Councillor & the Mayor.

I am also:

• Current Deputy Chairman of the Association of Mining Related Councils.
• Past Chairman of Centroc Group of Councils.
• Motor Traders Association (MTA) President
• A Justice of the Peace
• A board member of the Water Catchment Authority

During our last term on Orange City Council, as Mayor I am proud that I and the positive majority of Councillors have achieved many things including:

• Completion of the restoration of Spring Creek Dam Wall – this has leaked for over 25 years and therefore has never been able to be filled. With the restoration we have now increased our Dam’s water capacity. We were able to get approx $2 million dollars from the NSW State Government to help fund this $6 million dollar project.

• We made the decision and have now got underway the work on Suma Park Dam Wall to meet the Dam Safety Requirements. Have secured $4 million dollars from the NSW State Government for this work.

• Securing sustainable Orange City Water Supply including:
  • Re-connecting Lake Canobolas as a last resort measure.
  • Re-connecting Gosling Creek
  • Locating & establishing Water Bores throughout the City.
  • Storm Water Harvesting from City Water Channels and further expansion to Ploughman’s Creek Area.
  • We have secured $4.5 million dollars from the NSW State Government, over half the funding needed for this $9 million dollar project.

• CCTV security cameras in the CBD, which are now being installed. We petitioned for Federal Government funding for this project and saved the Orange City ratepayers $150,000.

• Continuing to finish the Northern Distributor Road which the current Council inherited as a partially funded project that had just started. We were able to secure $10 million dollars from the Liberal / National Party Federal Party before the last federal election and also received a promise from the Federal Labor party that they would match it if they won the election. The $10 million dollars will allow the completion of the Northern Distributor Road from Leeds Parade (near the Showground) to Great Western Highway east of Orange (Chinaman’s Bend) within 3 years.

• After negotiating with the State Labor Government and the RTA we secured funding of $225,000 for the Traffic Lights at William Street & Bathurst Road, leaving the Council funding only $75,000. This project is also scheduled for completion within 6 months.

• Similarly, the Traffic lights at Cox Avenue & Bathurst Road are under negotiation between the NSW Labor Government, RTA & Orange City Council. Plans have been completed and this project should be completed within 18 months.

• We also completed the Roundabout at Mitchell Highway (Molong Road) and the Northern Distributor Road.

• We have completed the section of the Northern Distributor Road between Escort Way and Mitchell Highway (Molong Road).

• Work has commenced on Anzac Park in East Orange. This will be a Major Sporting Venue for young and old. The new complex will cater for many sports and ensure that Orange’s proud sporting traditions are continued into the future. We succeeded in securing $4 million dollars from a Federal Government / PCYC to assist with the development of this Sporting Facility.

• New Orange Hospital – being able to support our entire community and the NSW Labor Government in realising this massive project with all the challenges that a project of this size creates. Also to be instrumental in pushing for and supporting that a Radiotherapy Unit be part of this project.

• Assisting the Bridge Club to complete its new first class Clubhouse in Glenroi.

• Helped the Croquet Club to ‘find a home’ utilising the existing Jaeger Oval site in Hill Street.

I believe that there should be NO party politics in Local Councils, all councillors are there to serve the ratepayer and in serving the community Council has to be a positive team to deal with State & Federal Governments in our continuing struggle to obtain funding grants for projects to benefit the Orange City community.

It’s a great honour to have been the Mayor of our wonderful City and I’m proud of our achievements, from gaining millions of dollars in State & Federal funding, carrying out many projects but also making Council more open by having public consultations, for example: putting in place community meetings, which if re-elected I would endeavour to continue.

If re-elected as Mayor I will continue to lead from the front and get things done.

Our Group A consists of:

• John Davis
• Jason Hamling
• Brad Draper
• Cindy Smedley
• James Grant
• Leona Burcher

Should we be elected our Group is committed to the following additional projects:

• Continue to secure our Water Supply.
• Doubling the size of the Adventure Playground.
• Implement a New 4 year program to upgrade footpaths.
• Implement a New 4 year program to extend bicycle paths.
• Implement a New 4 year program to remove & replace unsuitable street trees.
• Subsidise Fuel for Meals on Wheels volunteers.
• New all weather Swimming Complex.
• Extension of Orange BMX Park.
• New BMX Park at Spring Hill.
• New Secure Playground Park for Lucknow.
• Upgrade of Wade Park to the Premier Sporting facility it once was.
• Installation of portable security cameras on Council property, for example: Spring Street Carriage.
• Purchase of land in CBD for more parking.
• Continue to successfully negotiate with all political parties at all levels of government for project funding monies.
• To support and assist all businesses – from Cadia to one man operations, helping to create new jobs & opportunities and increase job security for employees.

ORANGE IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK & PLAY,

LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY

VOTE 1 GROUP A

‘Focused on the Future’