Local indigenous advocate Gerald Power’s announcement he will contest the upcoming September 13 election has signalled a start to the race of determining who will guide the city over the next four years.

Crippling water shortages, uncompleted infrastructure projects and increasing community resentment are just some of the challenges that will face the newly-elected 12 person council.

Mr Power has lived in Orange for over 24 years and said yesterday he was “compelled” to run for council because there was “a real and urgent need for change”.

“The community needs another option to some of those councillors who have been around for a while and actually have their voice heard for a change,” he said.

Mr Power, who is heavily involved in administering indigenous health and welfare programs throughout the city also declared it was time to rectify a lack of indigenous representation on council.

“That is something that is well overdue and the obvious cliche is that I want to add a little colour to the community,” he laughed.

“I think indigenous advocacy is certainly my field but that’s not to say I would negate the needs of the whole community just for that cause. It’s about time we had more people there who were about representation rather than driving their own political agenda behind the scenes.”

Mr Power will run on councillor Fiona Rossiter’s ticket come September 13.

l A forum held Friday evening for interested local candidates for Orange City Council elections in September attracted only minimal interest.

For more information on how to stand for council visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au/home.