Parkes Shire Council is inviting expressions of interest from community members to join a suite of new strategic advisory committees. 

The committees will provide guidance to Council on a range of issues and opportunities.

Council adopted a new committee structure at its September meeting, comprising six new strategic advisory committees, each of which will include community and industry stakeholders, alongside Councillors as members.

The new committees are: Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee; Community, Liveability and Culture Advisory Committee; Economy, Innovation and Investment Advisory Committee; Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee and Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee.

Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM said the new structure had been developed to support the delivery of the new Parkes Shire Community Strategic Plan, and enabled community members to better contribute to the decision-making process.

“As Councillors, we cannot fulfil our role and obligations without the support or input from community members. We are looking to better engage with our community and receive advice and feedback so that we can better meet the needs of all.

“We’re mindful that everyone is busy, so to ensure the time commitment required to serve on a committee is not unreasonable, we’re expecting each advisory committee will meet four times a year.”

Further information and details on how to submit an expression of interest is available at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. 

Expressions of interest close on Friday,11th November. Committee members will be appointed for a two-year term, and will serve in a voluntary capacity.

The community is invited to have their say on the draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy. The plan aims to deliver a reliable, sustainable and resilient water supply for towns and communities including Forbes, Parkes, Cowra and Young, and the industries that support the region’s economy, over the next two decades and beyond. 

It is the second time the strategy is on public exhibition, and the community can provide feedback on the shortlisted options before 1 November. 

“We worked closely with Aboriginal groups, local governments, residents, businesses, and all stakeholders to understand the Lachlan’s water challenges and needs during the first round of consultation in 2020,” said Kaia Hodge, Executive Director Water Strategy and Policy for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. 

“Their feedback helped refine the strategy and narrow down the options to a shortlist that will best support communities, industry and the environment and deliver a more secure water future for the Lachlan. 

“The Strategy is being developed alongside two major infrastructure business cases in the region, the Wyangala Dam Wall Raising Project and the Belubula Water Security Project. 

Kaia said water planning needed to support all water users, including Aboriginal communities, towns, industries and the environment, especially as we faced a drier and more variable climate and a higher demand on water resources. 

“This is a strategy for the whole Lachlan which is why we want to hear your views to help finalise it.” 

Due to flooding in the area public meetings have been postponed until further notice – visit the website for the most up to date information: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/lachlan-regional-water-strategy

Parkes Shire Council launched a new customer request system this week to make it easier to access services, report issues and raise requests around the clock.

This means customers will now be able to receive updates about the progress of their requests and easily track their status online in real-time.

“Council’s new online customer request system reflects our vision of becoming a more contemporary, connected and customer-focused organisation, and our commitment to putting our residents at the centre of everything we do,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

“The COVID pandemic has prompted businesses to rethink how they deliver services and make it easier to connect with their customers, and local government is no different,” he said.

According to Council’s Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy Cian Middleton customers will be able to log requests and report issues at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au following the system’s launch on Monday.

“In the last 12 months, Council received on average 351 requests per month through nine different channels. Our new platform aims to streamline the process, making it quicker and easier for residents to report an issue, request a service or information, or provide feedback,” Cian said.

“There are over 150 request options to choose from, so whether you have an issue with a bin, a footpath or you want to report a fallen tree, you are now able to do it online.

“Customers can also attach photos or documents and are able to utilise a mapping tool to pinpoint the exact location of issues requiring attention.

“Those residents who would prefer to speak to one of our staff on the phone or in person can still contact our Customer Service Centre on 6861 2373 or visit us at 2 Cecile Street.” 

Local groups and organisations are encouraged to enhance their musical, cultural and artistic endeavours by applying for a Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant. 

The aim of Council’s Cultural Grants Program is to encourage and support the development of local community organisations, services and strategies, which make a positive contribution to the community and cultural life of the shire. Applications must request a grant of at least $2,000 with the total funding pool at $10,000. 

“The grants can be utilised in a variety of ways, including to develop a new project, extension or enhancement of an existing project, purchase of equipment, or minor capital works,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Kerryn Jones. 

In 2021, five community cultural projects were successful in their application for funding. “The Parkes Potters Group were thrilled with the equipment they were able to purchase,” said Parkes Shire Councillor Bill Jayet. 

“The equipment has enabled them to extend their coaching and mentoring of new skills in the production of clay sculptural pieces and pottery to new members through in-house learning days. 

“The Parkes Potters have been an active community group for over 50 years and Parkes Shire Council was pleased to be able to support their contribution to creative pursuits in the community,” said Bill. 

Cultural Grants application forms are available on Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au or you can obtain a hard copy from your local library. Applications close on Friday, 3rd June. 

For advice and support in completing the application, contact Council’s Grant Officer on 6862 9127. Successful applications will be announced in July 2022. 

Parkes Shire women interested in becoming a councillor in the September elections can attend a free forum this Sunday, 14th March at the Comfort Inn in Parkes from 9am to 12pm.

Hosted by the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA NSW), the forum will provide information and support women who are passionate about our community or interested in becoming a local councillor. The NSW Local Government elections are scheduled for Saturday, 4th September.

“I strongly encourage local women who are passionate about our community and would like to have a role in important decision making in our local shire to attend the free ALGWA forum, “ said Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton. “Come the September elections it would be fabulous to see more women run for NSW Council elections and truly represent our modern and diverse society.”

Local councils are concerned with matters close to our homes, such as water supply, planning and development, local roads and footpaths, town presentation, parks and playing fields, libraries and culture, local environmental issues, waste disposal, tourism and economic development and many more community services.

Parkes Shire Council services a large agricultural area and the communities of Parkes, Peak Hill, Bogan Gate, Trundle, Tullamore, Alectown and Cookamidgera, with a combined population of over 15,000. President of ALGWA NSW Cr Cassandra Coleman said: “The executive and I will be crisscrossing the state, giving women encouragement and inspiration to be candidates. If you have the drive and determination, ALGWA NSW will give you support, information and encouragement to stand for election to your council.” Council invites all interested Parkes Shire women to come along to the free forum. For more information or to RSVP for the event contact Council’s Events Officer on 6861 2333 or events@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

ARTS REVIVAL FESTIVAL 14-19 DECEMBER 2020

Book into one of our ART WORKSHOPS in the new Makerspace Studio. Only $25 per workshop with limited places. Book in person at Parkes Library.
Monday 14: Lovin’ Lino Printing with Helen Gray
Tuesday 15: Painting with Acrylics with Karen Ritchie
Wednesday 16: Assemblaarrge using found objects with Pol Cruz
Thursday 17: Medicine Basket-Mindfulness with Jo Laurie
Friday 18: Banners from Recycled Materials with Deb Jones

REVIVAL ART EXHIBITION
14 Dec-26 Jan @ The Coventry Room. Come and experience what the idea of ‘Revival’ means to artists in the Parkes Shire.

POP-UP ART & CRAFT STALLS
Selling locally made items just in time for Christmas! Saturday, 19th December 9:30- 1pm @ The Makerspace Studio

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Join in our fun summer school holiday activities!
• Reading Challenge (all ages) 21 December – 23 January
• Ugly Box Animals (Kinder to year 2) Wednesday, 6th January
• Animal Magazine Art (Years 3 to 6) Wednesday, 13th January
• Fancy Fish World (Kinder to Year 6) Wednesday, 20th January

Limited spaces with bookings essential (in person @ the library) with a cost of $2. You must be a library member to book in, it’s FREE to join. Bookings open 7 December.

LIBRARY CLOSURE DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON

The Parkes Shire Library will be closed from 25th December and we will resume our normal hours on Monday, 4th January 2021. From all the staff at Parkes Shire Library we wish you all a very happy and safe festive season!

Parkes Shire Council maintained its executive leadership on Tuesday, returning Councillors Ken Keith OAM and Barbara Newton to the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively.

It is the Mayor’s 13th year in the position, while Barbara marked her 6th year as Deputy Mayor.

The election of the two positions was necessary following an announcement in March this year by the Minister for Local Government that the NSW Local Government Elections scheduled for this month would be postponed to address the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. All councils had their terms extended by twelve months.

As a result, Councils like Parkes who follow the recently introduced procedure of electing mayors and deputy mayors for a two-year term, had to carry an additional election for an extended twelve-month period.

“It is a really humbling experience to be Mayor of this shire and I am honoured to be able to carry out that role for another year,” said Ken.

“I think we are a wonderful Council and all Councillors are great contributors to the work of Council,” said Barbara, who admitted that due to the extension of the term she had to think long and hard about renominating.