The new carpark at Parkes East Public School has improved safety for parents and students. Looking at the completed project on Monday were (L-R) Parkes East Principal Michael Ostler, Michael McCormack MP, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith and Parkes Shire Council Director of Operations Ben Howard.
The pedestrian improvements and carparking at Parkes East Public School is one of a vast range of 25 projects funded under phase one and two of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
Michael McCormak MP was in Parkes on Monday to get an update on some of the projects and met with Parkes East Public School Principal Michael Ostler.
“The project has provided a very safe place to park, as well as safe access to our school,” said Michael. “We were very happy to give up a 2m strip of our school to enable this to take place.”
Mayor Ken Keith said it was a very busy road as the main road to Wellington. “It was very important to improve safety and the parking situation.”
The LRCI Program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The projects selected for the Parkes Shire followed engagement with the community on their priorities.
Parkes Shire Council received $1,337,613 under Phase 1 and a further $1,281,760 for Phase 2 of the program. More than 14 projects have been completed to date with a further 11 expected to be delivered before June nest year.
The Mayor said the projects would improve the quality of life of Parkes Shire residents and have lasting economic and social benefits for the local community.
Projects completed across the Parkes Shire include: First stage of the resurfacing of the Parke tennis Courts to see six courts resurfaced; Stormwater drainage improvement to stop flooding across the tennis courts; New LED lighting for Spicer Oval; Pedestrian improvements and carparking for Parkes East Public School; The first stage of CCTV for the CBD of Peak Hill; Footpath improvements in Rose Street; CBD smart infrastructure banners for Clarinda Street; Upgrades at Alectown Cemetery to include a new entrance, bench seating and new columbarium wall; Improvements to Cooke Park to support new work undertaken in the CBD; Upgrades to the Peak Hill tennis and basketball courts; Furniture and IT for the new Cooke Park Pavilion; New goal post at Jock Colley Field; and Completion of drainage project at Cheney Oval.
Projects in delivery across the Parkes Shire include: Footpath upgrades and repairs across Parkes; Coventry Room up-grades to host cultural events; Wiradjuri Exhibition project located in the Library precinct; Carparking improvements at Harrison Oval for soccer and cricket; New cricket nets at Berryman Oval in Trundle; BBQ shelter at Northparkes Oval; Disabled access connection pathways for McGlynn sporting facility; Upgrades to park at Bogan Gate; Additional active movement pathways in Parkes; Stormwater remediation works in Reid Street Parkes; and New detention basin at Crocker Oval to prevent flooding in storm events.
By Maggi Barnard