Orange Councillors & Candidates

Neil Jones

Councillor Neil Jones

Member of Group G, the Green Team.

My wife Libby, and I have lived in Orange for 32 years, and we have three adult children.  We are passionate animal lovers and our live-in family now consists of two RSPCA rescue dogs, Shelley and Rex. Together we value and enjoy family, friends, bushwalking, gardening and music.

I retired last year after a long career in horticultural education and administration, including Senior Lecturer at the Orange Agricultural College and the University of Sydney, and State Manager for horticultural training
in TAFE NSW.  I combined my teaching role at the Ag College with rugby and hockey coaching.

For over 30 years I have made major contributions to a wide range of organizations in the Orange community.  For several years I was President of the P&C Associations at Calare Public School and then Orange High School. I have been a committee member of Orange Pre School, Orange Community Resource
Organisation, Abbeyfield House and Mt Canobolas Park Trust. I am currently involved in community and school garden projects in East Orange and Glenroi.

I am a long standing community representative on Orange City Council’s Environment and Natural Resource Mangement Advisory Committee, and a member of Country Energy’s Regional Advisory Board.

I have become an strong advocate for the environment and sustainable development in Orange as President of Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange.  I have fought vigorously to save the Ploughmans Creek Wetlands, to protect the Botanic Gardens, to retain neighbourhood parks and to promote local climate action initiatives.

I have a clear understanding of the needs and issues affecting all sections of Orange’s very diverse population, and its broad commercial, industrial and agricultural base.

My professional training and career experience has provided me with leadership, communication and decision making skills which are essential in local government.   I am committed to serving the Orange community and have the time and energy to be a highly effective full-time Councillor.

What I stand for:

• Representation for all and independent thinking.
• Transparent and accountable decision making.
• Honest and widespread consultation with the community.
• Informed and ethical debate in Council.
• Respect for the rights of residents in neighbouring Councils.

What I will strive for:

• A secure water supply through stormwater harvesting, increased rainwater tank rebates and more efficient use of water in the home, business and industry.
• Sustainable growth which provides for the future, while protecting our heritage and our environment.
• Community services which meet the needs of the disadvantaged, the youth and the aged.
• Improved maintenance and resurfacing of roads and footpaths.
• Enhancement of our parks, open spaces and major sporting venues.
• New clean green industries for Orange including renewable energies and eco-tourism.
• The expansion of public and private sector education at all levels.
• A greater share of State and Federal funding for Local Government.

Along with other members of the Green Team, I support the belief that the new Council must get back to basics and provide efficient and well managed essential services.  Council can’t afford to undertake major projects one on top of the other.

The Green Team will deliver responsible financial management, and will maintain services, promote sustainable development and protect the environment.

On September 13, please Vote 1 for Group G.

“A Healthy Council Needs its Greens”