“In my view this could be the most important council for 20 years,” he said. 

Now the two council areas had merged it was essential rates delivered a fair spread of local benefits.  

“Understandably rural people are concerned they may be asked to make a subsidy toward big ticket items in Queanbeyan, but equally I’d imagine the Queanbeyan people would be concerned they are not being asked to subsidize the very large country roads and infrastructure,” he said. 

“My view is we are all in this together. What the community now needs is somebody that can apply equal fairness whether it’s a city matter or a rural matter.” 

Prior to the 12 years he has run his own legal practice Mr Cramsie was the managing director of NSW Legal Aid Commission for five years.

This management role at the state government level would be an asset to any role in local government, he said.

“That has a large budget and I was responsible to look after 20 regional offices,” he said. 

“I’ve had considerable experience in management, budget control and ensuring monies were well spent.” 

The Bywong resident of 35 years said if elected he would push for a more nuanced Local Environmental Plan for the Bywong Wamboin area than what was imposed by the previous Palerang council. 

The “blanket allocation of environmental protections” minimised the perceived value of properties in the area and raised concerns a “one size fits all” approach failed all parties.

"We understand the new council will have to introduce a new LEP because of the merger,” he said. 

“I’m representing a very large number of people in this area who want to see that zoning be changed back to a more appropriate rural residential zone.”