This week, our General Manager and I joined newly appointed ARTC Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller and ARTC Chairman Warren Truss to inspect the progress of the Goonumbla bridge upgrade. The $2 million investment to construct four concrete bridges will support the ongoing delivery of the Inland Rail when construction begins on the Parkes to Narromine section mid-2018.

Council staff marked National Road Safety Week by taking the pledge to make our roads safer for everyone. Staff have worn yellow ribbons and displayed yellow ribbons on fleet vehicles to honour those killed in road crashes.

Council’s road crew have begun the upgrade of MR348 (Peak Hill – Tullamore). The upgrade includes the reconstruction of four kilometres of road, tree removal and causeway rehabilitation.

The proposed tree replacement options for the cemetery entrance are on public exhibition. Residents are encouraged to view the concepts and provide feedback via Council’s website until 28th May.

A reminder that a general extension for the quarterly Water Notice has been implemented until Friday, 11th May to give residents an additional two weeks to make payment.

It’s that time of year again where the Parkes Shire welcomes Dancing Queens and Super Troopers from all across Australia for the Trundle ABBA Festival. This year the entire Festival line up will be at Berryman Oval, with the entertainment kicking off on Friday night. So dust off your platforms and head out to Trundle this weekend.

Have an enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

This week we stopped to commemorate Anzac Day, with thousands of locals and visitors attending the numerous services and activities held across the Parkes Shire.

It was fantastic to see so many community members in attendance, keeping the Anzac legacy alive across the Parkes Shire. Council is set to repurpose 100 per cent of the eleven trees removed from the Parkes Cemetery entrance, following their removal last week due to their deteriorating condition.

The leaves and smaller branches of the old eucalyptus trees will be turned into mulch, while the larger branches and main trunks will be stock piled for future rehabilitation projects. Council’s Rates Department have implemented
a general extension for the quarterly Water Notice until Friday 11th May 2018 to give residents an additional two weeks to make payment. A reminder that you can now make payment online via the new My- Parkes portal, my.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

I encourage residents to support our neighbouring regional events this weekend with the 2018 Cabonne Country Balloon Glow kicking off at 3.30pm at the Canowindra Showgrounds. A great family-friendly event that will certainly cap off the school holidays.

Have an enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Join Parkes Shire Council’s Earth Day celebrations this weekend at the Advanced Water Recycling Facility (AWRF) Community Open Day and Tree Planting this Saturday 21st April from 10am until 12pm. The new state-of-the-art facility, located at 84 Akuna Road, will be open to public for interactive tours, for residents to learn more about the new Parkes Water Recycling Scheme, and participate in a tree planting to rejuvenate the newly opened site. The facility provides a tremendous benefit to the town, producing clean, safe, high quality recycled water to be used for irrigation at our public greenspaces. For more information, and to pre-register for tours visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Residents and visitors are invited to remember the Australians and New Zealanders who have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, at the Anzac Day commemorative services held across the Parkes Shire next Wednesday 25th April. Services will be held in Parkes, as well as the townships of Alectown, Bogan Gate, Peak Hill, Trundle, and Tullamore. The full Parkes Shire 2018 Anzac Day Programme is available for download from Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Local creative groups and individuals are encouraged to apply for a 2018 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant, which aims to support the development of art and craft initiatives, skills and facilities throughout the Parkes Shire. Funding categories include subsidy for a new project, extension or enhancement of an existing project, purchase of equipment or minor capital works. Download an application form from Council’s website or pick up a hardcopy from any Parkes Shire Library.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Congratulations to the Parkes Aero Club on achieving 70 years. This Saturday 14th April, residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the milestone at the Parkes Aero Spectacular. Between 10am and 4pm the Parkes Regional Airport will host a full program of spectacular family-friendly activities, including the RAAF Roulette air show, aircraft tours, exhibits, classic car display, jumping castle and plenty of entertainment. To find out more and to purchase tickets, visit www.visitparkes.nsw.gov.au

Today marks the start of Youth Week 2018 – giving young people an opportunity to share ideas, attend live events, and have fun. To acknowledge the contributions of the young people across the Parkes Shire, Council is hosting a Youth Week Neon Disco tonight at the Parkes PCYC. The Disco is an alcohol and drug free event for Parkes Shire high school students in Years 7 to 12, with a live DJ, free barbeque and giveaways – a great start to the school holidays.

A reminder that Parkes Waste Facility is holding a free tip weekend this Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4.15pm, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of general domestic waste including green waste, recyclables and general household waste free of charge. For more information, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

This week we welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina, The Hon. Michael McCormack to Parkes to officially open the new Advanced Water Recycling Facility (AWRF). The AWRF underpins Parkes’ new Recycled Water Scheme (RWS), strengthening water security and bringing Parkes’ water recycling activities up to current regulatory and industry best practice standards. Residents are invited to tour the facility on Saturday 21 April between 10am and 12pm, and participate in a community tree planting to rejuvenate the site. Tours will run every half hour starting from 10am. To pre-register for tours, contact 02 6861 2333. Participants must wear a hat and enclosed footwear – and don’t forget to bring along your gardening gloves!

While in the Parkes Shire, Minister McCormack opened the new Kadina Bridge along the Bogan Way. The Kadina Bridge replacement project involved the demolition and reconstruction of a new 9 metre bridge to accommodate two lanes of traffic and enable the route to be accessible to Higher Mass Limit vehicles. The upgrade will prove a safer and more accessible route for all motorists, and improve connectivity throughout our Shire.

Congratulations to the Tullamore Irish Music Festival Committee and the Tullamore community for delivering another successful Festival over the Easter long weekend.

Thousands of locals and visitors lined Cardigan Street to watch the popular street parade, and then enjoy the music, dancing, food and fun.

Parkes Waste Facility is holding a free tip weekend on 14 and 15 April between 10am and 4.15pm, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of general domestic waste including green waste, recyclables and general household waste free of charge.

For more information, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Have an enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Last Saturday, over 500 community members took the opportunity to tour the new Parkes Water and Sewage Treatment Plants. Groups heard from Council and John Holland staff who conducted the informative, interactive tours around both sites, with educational giveaways and activities held throughout the day.

The annual Tullamore Irish Music Festival returns this Easter long weekend, celebrating all things Irish with an Australian flavour. 2018 Feature Artist John Williamson will take to the stage at 6pm on Saturday 31st. Farm tours will also be held Friday 30th at 10am. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tullamore.org.au.

Council’s tourism team is offering locals an incentive to bring visiting family and friends to the Henry Parkes Centre. Locals who bring along a full paying visitor receive free entry to the museums when they sign up to the Local Loyalty Program. To mark the last day of the pool season, Parkes Aquatic Centre is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 1 April at 11am. Our lifeguards will inflate the giant slide for participants to make a splash once the Egg hunt has finished.

Council’s road safety officer is reminding motorists to put safety first as they head off on holidays over the Easter long weekend. Double demerit points will be in force on Thursday 29 March until Monday 2 April (inclusive).

Have a safe and enjoyable Easter,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

This week we celebrated a number of significant milestones and projects. On Wednesday The Hon. Troy Grant MP visited Parkes to officially open our new state-of-the-art water infrastructure renewal projects, including the Water and Sewage Treatment Plants, Lachlan Pump Station and Bore 8 refurbishment. These project represent the largest capital works Council has ever undertaken, and I thank the NSW Government for the significant contributions towards the projects. The Community Open Day to these sites is tomorrow between 10am and 2pm. For more information, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

While in town, Minister Grant also announced the NSW Government had purchased land in Hill Street for the construction of a new Parkes Fire Station. This means local firefighters will be provided with the latest equipment and resources to effectively respond to emergencies. The new site is located directly behind the existing Fire and Rescue NSW station.

I was delighted to officially launch the new Parkes Shire Destination Guide at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. The new guide aims to promote the Parkes region as a place to ‘be out there’, explore, and see first-hand what makes the Parkes region all add up as an appealing tourist destination. Copies are available at the Parkes and Peak Hill Visitor Information Centres or view online at www.visitparkes.com.au.

Yours Faithfully, Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

This week Parkes welcomed over 200 councillors, council staff and tourism operators for the 2018 Local Government NSW Tourism Conference. Delegates from across the state heard from industry experts and leaders over the three-day conference at the Parkes Leagues Club. Our region’s most recognised tourism attraction was the centrepiece for the official conference dinner held at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope on Wednesday.

Residents are invited to tour our multi award winning infrastructure sites next Saturday, 24th March. The Community Open Day of the new Water and Sewage Treatment Plants is an opportunity to learn about the treatment process with guided tours, activities and giveaways. With a combined budget of more than $100 million, the Integrated Water Infrastructure Renewal projects represent the largest capital works that Council has ever undertaken to ensure our water security in the future. The Water Treatment Plant will be open to the public from 10am until 2pm. Visitors must wear fully enclosed, flat shoes.

Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer is calling young amateur actors to audition for the annual mock crash demonstration. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the demonstration aims to improve the attitudes and behaviours of young drivers and passengers. Auditions will take place on Wednesday, 21st March at 5pm in the Council Chambers. Interested youth can contact 6861 2364.

Yours Faithfully,

Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Council will be welcoming over 200 delegates to Parkes next week for the 2018 Local Government NSW Tourism Conference. Economic benefits from hosting the event include around 200 motel rooms booked for tourism managers, mayors, councillors, industry professionals and sponsors from around NSW. The conference includes workshops, case studies, panel discussions and site visits to Trundle, Peak Hill, the Henry Parkes Centre and The Parkes Radio Telescope.

Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer is calling on young amateur actors to audition for the annual mock crash demonstration, which aims to improve the attitudes and behaviours of young drivers and passengers. Auditions take place on 21st March at 5pm in the Council Chambers. Contact 6861 2364.

Council crews completed construction of three new concrete causeways along Cooka Hills Road. The $150,000 project included the removal of the old causeways and reconstruction to improve access and safety and withstand flooding.

An intimate collection of works by Australia’s greatest all-round genius artist and writer Norman Lindsay is hosted by Parkes Shire Library, and includes features, sketches, posters, etchings, block printing and limited edition copies of Norman Lindsay’s work, as well as early editions of his books. The exhibition will run until 27th March.

Yours Faithfully, Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless visited the Parkes Shire this week to officially open the second stage of upgrades to Middle Trundle Road, one of our region’s key transport routes. Thank you to the NSW Government for its significant contribution towards the upgrades, which are set to deliver improved accessibility,
productivity and local linkages throughout the region.

Parkes Shire residents are invited to join the nation-wide effort to help conserve the environment as part of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 4th March. Registrations will take place at Lions Park in Parkes from 8am where they will be given a clean-up kit and allocated a site. Participants in Peak Hill can register from 7.30am at the Commercial Gardens.

Last year 6,215 ute loads of rubbish were removed by 266,831 Clean Up Australia Day volunteers from 2,822 sites across NSW, including Parkes and Peak Hill. This year, the Parkes Shire has the opportunity to help set some new records.

This week Council has teamed up with the Roads and Maritime Services to promote Road Rules Awareness Week, giving local motorists an opportunity to refresh their knowledge of the law. Running from Monday this week to Sunday, 4th March, locals are encouraged to check out the NSW Road Safety Facebook page to view animations of the top 10 misunderstood road rules, some of which include manoeuvring roundabouts, merging traffic and conducting U-turns.

The Free Cuppa for the Driver campaign kicked off this week and Council is delighted to be a partner in the incentive program, which aims to combat driver fatigue. Drivers are encouraged to stop for a Free Cuppa until 31st May when they’ve driven over 100km from their home address. Find participating businesses via the new website, www.freecuppa.com.au.

Enjoy the weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire