Parkes will welcome around 200 representatives across the eastern states of Australia to take part in the 26th annual Local Government Touch Football Carnival at Cheney Park tomorrow. Seventeen teams have registered for this year’s competition and it’s expected the tournament will inject around $40,000 into the local economy. It’s a fantastic social competition and I encourage locals to get down to Cheney Park and cheer on our local teams from 9am.

This week local contractors have continued work on linking the town’s pedestrian and bicycle network, constructing a path at the new Water Treatment Plant. As part of the construction of the Urban Water Main Augmentation (UWMA), disturbed strips of soil are being transformed into bike paths for the community to enjoy. Residents can learn about the UWMA at the WTP Community Open Day on 24th March.

In an effort to mitigate the occurrence of flash flooding in the Parkes CBD, Council’s infrastructure team have been installing storm water pipes along Victoria Street this week. The work comes after extensive investigations were carried out after the flash flooding incidents in 2016 and 2017.

The work is part of Council’s Stormwater Management Plan to manage urban stormwater according to the principles of best practice, to reduce impacts on waterway health, minimise stormwater flooding and provide an alternate water source.

The Parkes Elvis Festival team held a Community Feedback Evening this week to gain feedback about the 2018 Festival, and ideas about how we can improve for 2019. Residents unable to attend are encouraged to share their suggestions by contacting the team on 6862 6000.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Council is excited to be launching the My Parkes portal next month – a property information hub set to deliver business improvement, enhanced access to information and faster processing times. Residents can register for a My Parkes login, where they will be able to access their property information, pay their rates and water instalments online, and track the status of a customer request or application. The My Parkes portal will go live at the end of March. Parkes Shire residents will receive a mail out in the coming weeks with instructions on how to register.

Council has teamed up with other local government organisations across Western NSW to deliver the Free Cuppa for the Driver campaign in 2018. Free Cuppa is an incentive program combating driver fatigue by offering drivers a free cup of coffee or tea when they have travelled over 100km from their home address between 1st March and 31st May each year. Motorists can plan ahead by searching for Free Cuppa locations via the new website www.freecuppa.com.au or Facebook @Free-Cuppa.

Parkes Shire youth are encouraged to share their ideas about what events and activities Council should deliver for Youth Week 2018. Youth Week 2018 will be held from 13 to 22 April, with the theme “Unity Through Diversity” and Council would love to hear from local youth about what they would like to do to celebrate. To share your ideas, contact Council on 6861 2333 or council@parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Residents are invited to attend the next

Ordinary Meeting of Council next Tuesday, 20th February at 2pm in the Council Chambers.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

What a week we’ve had! On Monday we welcomed the Queen’s Baton Relay to Parkes on its way to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. I was delighted to be one of 19 locals to carry the baton through town.  Thank you to all the residents and visitors who came out and lined the streets to cheer on the batonbearers.

The baton made a special visit to The Dish for a hayride at sunrise on Tuesday before departing for Orange. The relay will finish its international journey on 4 April at the Opening Ceremony. Parkes Shire Library is calling for the community to think outside the square for this year’s Waste to Art competition. Entries are now open, with three categories for residents to get creative. Entry is free and closes just before Easter on 28th March at 5pm. Download an entry form from www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Today, Parkes will join the rest of the global community in commemorating World Wetlands Day. This year’s theme is ‘wetlands for a sustainable urban future’, and aims to highlight how urban wetlands improve liveability; not only for recreational enjoyment, but also for the role wetlands play in the environment. Following the rejuvenation of PAC Park last year, residents and visitors can celebrate the day visiting our own urban wetland.

A reminder to motorists that the 40km/h school speed zones are back in force between 8 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4pm on school days – keep an eye out for the flashing lights.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Residents are encouraged to join the Australia Day celebrations across the shire. I am delighted to welcome Australian art educator and exhibition curator, Ann Snell as the Parkes Shire Australia Day Ambassador. The day is an opportunity to recognise the tremendous achievements and contributions of eminent members of our community
– congratulations to the nominated residents.

Residents and visitors are also invited to join the celebrations when the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) comes to Parkes on Monday, 29th January. The Relay will start at 4.30pm at Memorial Hill, making its way through the CBD, to finish at the Parkes Aquatic Centre with community celebrations from 5:30pm. Parkes Aquatic Centre will host a family friendly pool party, with free entry from 4pm until 7pm, outdoor games, and entertainment.

Council will revitalise the entrance to the Parkes Cemetery, after an arborist’s report determined that the existing 11 eucalyptus trees lining the main entrance avenue are in decline following a severe storm in 2016. Council will remove the old trees and replace with a smaller deciduous species, rehabilitate the site, install irrigation, construct kerb and guttering along the internal road, as well as a new footpath. The full report is available for download via Council’s website.

I encourage residents to have their say.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mayor of Parkes Shire

Thank you, thank you very much to the Parkes Shire community for their hospitable reception of over 25,000 visitors for the 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival. The 26th festival saw record-breaking crowds from across Australia and the world enjoy the 150 individual events over five days. The Northparkes Mines Street Parade saw over 10,000 people line Clarinda Street to watch around 170 Elvis-themed floats. The crowds then gathered in Cooke Park to watch NSW Governor David Hurley officially unveil our newest tourist attraction – the life-size statue of Elvis by sculptor Terrance Plowright.

This week we marked a monumental milestone for the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project, with the first 14,000 tonnes of steel rail delivered to Peak Hill. I joined the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon. Barnaby Joyce on Monday to park the beginning of construction on the Parkes to Narromine section.

Congratulations to Rosaline Coffee from Forbes who is the lucky winner of the Shop Parkes + Win campaign with a $5,000 travel package to a destination of her choice. Next week we welcome distinguished Australian art educator and exhibition curator, Ann Snell as the Parkes Shire Australia Day Ambassador for 2018. For information about Australia Day events visit www.visitparkes.com.au.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

It’s time to rock ‘n roll for the 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival, celebrating 50 years since the ’68 Comeback Special with over 150 events across the five days.

On Saturday at 11.15am, I will join the NSW Governor and members of the Elvis Revival Incorporated Committee to officially unveil the new Elvis statue in Cooke Park. The statue, sculpted by renowned artist Terrance Plowright, pays tribute to Elvis’ memory and the wonderful volunteers who have made the Parkes Elvis Festival possible for 26 years.

In addition to all the regular festival favourites, there are plenty of new and exciting events that have been added to the program. For the first time in the festival’s history there will be a midnight show, featuring Nic ‘The King’ Nicolas for those wanting to stay up late and dance the night away.

The Unplugged Elvis Competition on Sunday will see amateur acts take their talent to the main stage. This year we are honoured to have partnered with the US Consulate to bring an exhibition of 77 photographs of former US
president JFK to Parkes – certainly a must see during the festival.

Finally, a big thank you to our dedicated volunteers, valued sponsors, supporters, Elvis Revival Incorporated, local businesses, community members and Council staff who make the Festival possible.

Thankyer, thankyer very much.
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Congratulations to Parkes News and Gifts on winning this year’s Sparkles Best Dressed Shop Window for their dazzling display. For their efforts, they will receive a $500 marketing package to promote their business as part of next year’s Shop Parkes Christmas campaign. Thank you to all the local businesses who contributed to the festive spirit by decorating their windows.

Our local lifeguards are reminding locals to keep watch this summer, as kids flock to the pool, dams and the beach to keep cool. It is fantastic to see so many local children enrolled in the Learn to Swim program, with 436 students completing session one and 134 enrolled to take part in the intensive lessons to be held in January. This is only the second year Council has run the program, proving to be popular among our community. Swimming is a fundamental skill for a child’s safety and I encourage all families to take up this opportunity. Enrolments for Session 2 close on 25 January 2018.

Parkes Aquatic Centre have gone on break, but will return in 2018 on Tuesday 2 January.

I would like to thank the Parkes Shire community for their support throughout 2017. This year has been an exciting year for Council, having delivered a new Water Treatment Plant, Sewage Treatment Plant and Advanced Recycled Water Facility, skate park extension, upgrades of the Parkes Waste Facility, Peak Hill Open Cut experience, and footpath and road infrastructure renewal projects – just to name a few. With the announcement of $8.4 billion funding for the Inland Rail, I look forward to what 2018 will bring for our region.

Finally, for those travelling over the Christmas/New Year period, please do so safely.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.

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

Council is delighted to have been successful in its application for $1.2 million in funding to facilitate the completion of the Bogan Way (MR350) and Middle Trundle Road projects. The Bogan Way will receive $710,000 to widen 6.2 kilometres, 2 kilometres of shoulder upgrades and replacing and strengthening drainage structure for road train access. The Middle Trundle Road will receive $500,000 for widening and sealing works along the final 6 kilometre section.

This week Council staff reached a major project milestone, placing the 14 bearing beams on the piers and abutments of the Kadina Bridge. Each beam is 12m long and weighs approximately 6.3 tonnes each. Today is the last opportunity for residents to join the conversation about the planned projects for Peak Hill. Residents can view the proposals and take the survey online, via the Public Notice section on Council’s website until 5pm today www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

The much anticipated Sparkles Markets and Movie Night will take place tomorrow. I encourage all residents and visitors to join the festive celebrations from 5pm in Cooke Park, with Santa Claus 2 playing on the big screen once the sun goes down. The Sparkles Illuminations will be on every night until Christmas.

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

Congratulations to the organisers of Peak Hill’s Meet You Up The Street Festival on delivering another successful event. Thank you to those residents who joined the conversation about the planned projects for Peak Hill, including the Main Street Tree Proposal, and installation of new fitness and playground equipment. The proposals and an online survey are under the Public Notice section on Council’s website until 5pm, Friday, 15th December – www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Last Friday’s wild weather saw the popular Christmas Street Parade and Sparkles Markets and Movie Night called off. While the Street Parade will not be rescheduled due to conflicting community events, the Parkes Action Club must be commended for their hard work organising the event.

The Markets and Movie Night has been rescheduled to Saturday, 16th December from 5pm. Be sure to check out the
Sparkles Illuminations when the sun goes down, with some exciting new locations added this year. The Parkes Shire community is invited to celebrate the festive season and sing your favourite Christmas carols in Parkes and Bogan Gate. In Parkes the Carols in Cooke Park starts at 6.30pm, and the Bogan Gate Carols in the Memorial Hall will be from 7.30pm.

Gift a book this Christmas at Parkes Shire Libraries! The books will be donated to the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation for schools in remote parts of northern Australia. Purchase a book for a child between 0 and 12 years old, wrap it up, place a tag on it with the child’s age on it and place it under the tree at any of our libraries. For more information visit Council’s website.

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