A lifelong resident of the area, Cr Cox put his hand up to represent Lithgow on council simply because he wanted to do his bit.

Geoff grew up in Wallerawang and moved to Lithgow 28 years ago. He worked at the Wallerawang Power Station for 36 years and Mount Piper, and has three children to his wife Pauline.

A major part of local sport, he’s been president of the Little Athletics club for 10 years and managers for junior soccer and basketball sides.

Always a keen observer of council, Cr Cox said he took a run at council after his friends Frank Inzitari and Ross Higlett announced they were stepping down.

“After 20 years of management within the power station… I guess my experience with management, change, dealing with strategies, directions and having a tempered view are things I can bring to council,” Cr Cox said.

Cr Cox believes despite all councillors coming from different walks of life they can come together to tackle serious issues this term.

“Amalgamation is always that cloud hanging over our head, we just need to deal with that,” he said.

“I believe we can avoid it, but it’s going to take a lot of effort from a lot of people.”

Basic services and fees, including roads and water rates, are the things residents have been discussing with him and he agrees with them about their importance.

“I’m green and still picking up a lot of it… the main thing is securing Lithgow’s future.”

“I think we should be trying to attract a lot more small businesses… it’s sad to see kids leave high school and they have to leave town.”

At the end of this council term, Cr Cox said he wants to see council moving in the same direction.

“We need to do our best to make Lithgow more sustainable and attractive to people who are moving out of the western suburbs.

“If people want to come in and talk to us, we should be giving them all the assistance we can, not throwing the negatives at them.

“We shouldn’t be saying ‘you need to do this, this and this’ to tick all the boxes, we should be helping them tick the boxes.”