It has been a big week for our water team, having received three major accolades. Council received a Project Management award for the recent upgrades of the towns’ urban water network at the 2018 Institute of Public Works Australasia conference.
Parkes was then awarded two Tidy Town Sustainability Awards – the Community Spirit and Inclusion Award for the Water and Sewage Treatment Plant Community Open Days, as well as the Renewable Energy Award for the integration of solar systems at the new facilities.
Marking the start of the next stage in the water infrastructure renewal project, Leed Engineering and Construction has been awarded a $7.43m contract to construct the Recycled Water Rising Main that will deliver recycled water to irrigate selected parks and sporting fields around town. In order to undertake this project, a number of temporary road closures will be implemented on a progressive basis around town. These will be advertised on Council’s website and social media pages.
The western walking trail at the Peak Hill Gold Mine will be temporarily closed to allow for the drilling of core samples by Alkane Resources. During this period, visitors can access the Open Cut Experience from several alternative walking trails. Site maps available from the Parkes and Peak Hill Visitor Information Centres or at the entrance to the Open Cut Experience.
The new temporary dining platform has been installed adjacent to Smeaton’s Bakery on the western side of Lower Clarinda Street. The platform is the second to have been installed in Parkes, allowing businesses to increase their dining capacity and expand the outdoor dining options in the town centre.
Parkes will welcome thousands of visitors to town this weekend for the Band Together Farmers concert at Parkes Showground. Tickets can be purchased via 123tix.com. To coincide with the concert, ABC Radio Sydney presenter Simon Marnie will broadcast a special NSW state-wide program that morning live from 10am to midday at Cooke Park in Parkes.
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire