Future, not the past, key to sustainable growth; Evans

Newly-minted Orange City Councillor, Jack Evans is looking to the future, not the past.

Head of Orange’s Business Chamber, of the “Orange First” group, and the long-established tradie and camping outfitter, “Worklocker”, he wants to see a more-sustainable development model for the Colour City.

Working with other regional councils is one important way to better integrate growth in the Central Tablelands, he believes.

Post-COVID, regional cities like Orange have suddenly become popular, with part of the job of councils ensuring that success doesn’t spoil what attracted newcomers here in the first place.

“The growth in all these towns have been from tree-changers, those looking for lifestyle choices, and handling that influx is part of Council’s job.”

“You want to have the city develop sustainably; while growth is good, you need infrastructure to grow at the same time.”

Leader of main-street opposition to a proposed supermarket precinct in south Orange at the new private hospital in 2020, he was elected along with seven other new faces in December’s local government election.

Still only in his twenties, Cr Evans studied history and politics at the University of Wollongong before returning in 2018 to work at local institution, Jack Evans Stores in Peisley Street as the fourth-generation member of his family.

He said that his relative youth offers unique perspectives on issues impacting not just Orange, but the wider Central Tablelands region.

“Being younger, I understand how affordable housing is so important, with many of my friends with young families who want to stay in the city.

“I’d like to see a cohesive plan, not just for the City, but for the region. I think it’s important to work with developing solutions for infrastructure across the region… to have an interconnected region.

“Not just in the Orange local government area, but in cooperating with other councils such as Blayney and Cabonne and how that cooperation can help… it’s up to us to try and find solutions.”

Second on the Mileto Independent Team ticket at the December poll, he had no expectations of being elected, until late on the night.

“Only once the results started coming-in was I confident, I was always greatly-confident that Tony would get elected, as he was top of the ticket.”

He said that central to his philosophy in sustainable growth, is that the City places water availability and reliability top of the queue. “We have to ensure that everyone’s got somewhere to live, and we have water sustainability.

“Hopefully, with the work that we can do, we can find some solutions, but there’s no silver bullet,” he added.

Cr Evans refused to comment on how effectively he believed previous councils had discharged these duties, saying that he was instead focussed on the future.

“I think if we go back to what other councils should or shouldn’t have done, that doesn’t achieve anything… I’m more interested in what the next Council can and should do.”

He said that with four re-elected councillors back in the Chamber — including new Mayor, Councillor Jason Hamling — the new Council should be an effective mix of the old and the new.

“There’s lots of good heads on Council, I’m looking forward to working with them all,” Cr Evans said.Newly-minted Orange City Councillor, Jack Evans is looking to the future, not the past.

 Head of Orange’s Business Chamber, of the “Orange First” group, and the long-established tradie and camping outfitter, “Worklocker”, he wants to see a more-sustainable development model for the Colour City.

Working with other regional councils is one important way to better integrate growth in the Central Tablelands, he believes.

Post-COVID, regional cities like Orange have suddenly become popular, with part of the job of councils ensuring that success doesn’t spoil what attracted newcomers here in the first place.

“The growth in all these towns have been from tree-changers, those looking for lifestyle choices, and handling that influx is part of Council’s job.”

“You want to have the city develop sustainably; while growth is good, you need infrastructure to grow at the same time.”

Leader of main-street opposition to a proposed supermarket precinct in south Orange at the new private hospital in 2020, he was elected along with seven other new faces in December’s local government election.

Still only in his twenties, Cr Evans studied history and politics at the University of Wollongong before returning in 2018 to work at local institution, Jack Evans Stores in Peisley Street as the fourth-generation member of his family.

He said that his relative youth offers unique perspectives on issues impacting not just Orange, but the wider Central Tablelands region.

“Being younger, I understand how affordable housing is so important, with many of my friends with young families who want to stay in the city.

“I’d like to see a cohesive plan, not just for the City, but for the region. I think it’s important to work with developing solutions for infrastructure across the region… to have an interconnected region.

“Not just in the Orange local government area, but in cooperating with other councils such as Blayney and Cabonne and how that cooperation can help… it’s up to us to try and find solutions.”

Second on the Mileto Independent Team ticket at the December poll, he had no expectations of being elected, until late on the night.

“Only once the results started coming-in was I confident, I was always greatly-confident that Tony would get elected, as he was top of the ticket.”

He said that central to his philosophy in sustainable growth, is that the City places water availability and reliability top of the queue. “We have to ensure that everyone’s got somewhere to live, and we have water sustainability.

“Hopefully, with the work that we can do, we can find some solutions, but there’s no silver bullet,” he added.

Cr Evans refused to comment on how effectively he believed previous councils had discharged these duties, saying that he was instead focussed on the future.

“I think if we go back to what other councils should or shouldn’t have done, that doesn’t achieve anything… I’m more interested in what the next Council can and should do.”

He said that with four re-elected councillors back in the Chamber — including new Mayor, Councillor Jason Hamling — the new Council should be an effective mix of the old and the new.

“There’s lots of good heads on Council, I’m looking forward to working with them all,” Cr Evans said.