There was some good news for the Parkes Shire last week when $1 million worth of drought projects were approved for the Parkes Shire under round two of the Drought Communities Programme.
Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith welcomed the injection of funds saying: “These grants are spent around our community, which is now suffering the effects of the drought and COVID-19, and the projects will assist with our community’s resilience in these tough times,” he said.
The projects are: Employment of a Drought Response Officer; refurbishment of the new Parkes library to complete a new build project to provide suitable fittings and furniture and support a new university centre for the region; revitalise Bogan Gate township with air conditioning for the main hall and painting the arts and crafts centre; complete Cookamidgera Hall upgrades; construct new amenities at Pola Park in Tullamore to provide fit for purpose toilet/ shower facilities; provide a modular removal stage structure for the multi-purpose centre in Cooke Park to support events; upgrade changerooms at Berryman Oval in Trundle; improvements to Memorial Park in Peak Hill; install fit for purpose bollards in Cooke Park in Parkes; and the devel- opment of an Adverse Event Plan for the Shire.