GREENS CANDIDATE: Stephen Nugent to stand for Orange in state election

He is currently a Greens party councillor on the Orange City Council.

Cr Nugent also stood for the Greens in Orange in 2011.

He is the sixth nomination for the seat following sitting member Phil Donato (Shooters Fishers and Farmers), Kate Hazelton (Nationals), Luke Sanger (Country Labor), Garry McMahon (Conservatives) and Terri Ann Baxter (Independent).

Cr Nugent said he wanted to put more focus on environmental concerns.

"We need a progressive voice in the local campaign, we have got a lot of conservative candidates," he said.

"The main focus of the media is on the Nationals versus the Shooters and Fishers but we need people talking about other issues like climate change which is not being discussed, it's not featured in the local debate, but it's happening.

"We're looking at a $1 billion investment in a clean energy fund for local governments and local communities [across NSW], so a community-owned solar power facilities for example, that's one thing I'd to see us do here in Orange."

Cr Nugent said he wanted to support plans for a life sciences precinct around the Orange hospital and the new private hospital and the new medical school.

"I'd really love to push the development of that precinct, that's an Orange City Council project but as the state member I can see myself pushing that."

Cr Nugent said he backed sporting facilities but did not support the government's $25 million pledge for a sports complex in Orange.

"I think there's probably better things to spend it on in Orange," he said.