As we are all encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle these days, the Parkes Shire Council is leading the way finding a new purpose for its decommissioned effluent ponds.

The former Parkes Sewage Treatment Plant effluent ponds will be transformed into a functional artificial wetland over the next two years.

With funding from the NSW Environmental Trust, preliminary works have started at the ponds site along Akuna Road. Earth works and revegetation will be carried out to create habitats for a range of water bird species and other animals, as well as a natural area for the community to enjoy birdwatching.

“Wetlands are considered one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems, containing a wide diversity of plant and animal life,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure, Andrew Francis. “They support plants that are found nowhere else, and are a haven for amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and mammals.”

The project will focus on the construction of the wetland and revegetation with local native plants, the creation of various wetland features to provide varying habitat elements to cater for different species. The wetland will receive recycled water from Parkes’ Advanced Water Recycling Facility.

Volunteer support will be called upon to help plant some of the many thousands of wetland plants, with Council partnering with Central West Lachlan Landcare to host community planting days.

Chairperson for Central West Lachlan Landcare Ben Kerin said: “Landcare are thrilled to be part of this wonderful project and are looking forward to partnering with Council to involve the community to assist with building habitat onsite”.

Additional funding will be sought to make the wetland more accessible, inviting and educational, including walking tracks, seating, interpretive signage and bird hides.

 

The recent Parkes Combined Services Dinner turned pink in support of the Pink Up Parkes drive this month and raised a good sum for the McGrath Foundation.

Hosted by the Parkes Action Club at the Parkes Services Club, the dinner was supported by members from Quota, Rotary, Action Club, View Club and the CWA. A lively fines session rounded off the evening with a total of $750 raised to support our town’s McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Dianne Green.

Dianne was also invited to speak about breast cancer in our region, her role in the Parkes Shire and the different funding models of McGrath Nurses. She explained that the Parkes McGrath position was funded from community donations alone.

Marguerite Burns and Caroline Rice spoke about their experiences with breast cancer. “Breast cancer is not only a women’s issue,” said Dianne. “It is important that men are also breast aware, as there have been men in our community requiring the support of a McGrath Nurse.”

A Pink Up Parkes event is a great way for the whole community to come together and support breast awareness, breast cancer research and breast cancer nurses.

All community groups, businesses, schools and individuals can still get involved by attending or hosting their own pink event in October. (See page 6 for all the events this month.)

 

Two years after its highly successful inaugural tea cosy competition, the Craft Corner in Parkes has again brought this celebrated relic back to life!

“The quality is just amazing and the talent the entrants displayed with their skills to crochet, knit and sew is just fantastic,” said Alison Evans of the organising committee.

Last Friday the 43 entries from all over the State were put on display for the announcement of the winners. Judges Kelly McGirr and Elsie Mahon carefully considered all the entries and picked the winners.

Maralyn Wise from Forbes won the Judges Choice award. She also received a highly commended for her entry in the Weird and Wacky category.

Maralyn was overjoyed with her prize saying it was the first time she had ever won something for her knitting as quilting and patchwork were actually her forte.

Frances Charlton’s traditional doll cosy won the Treasured Memories category. Sharon Preisig took out the Weird and Wacky category, and received highly commended in the Floral Splendour category.

Joanne Veronese was first in the Floral Splendour category, and achieved highly commended in the Treasured Memories category.

Voting for the People’s Choice winner will take place until 21st October.