Maggi Barnard

Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole were in Parkes this week to inspect concept designs for the bypass project which has joint funding from the State and Federal governments.

“I am excited to see the project progressing,” Mr McCormack said.

“The 10.5 kilometre bypass will improve road efficiency, pedestrian access through Parkes and traffic flow. We will see increased reliability of trips for motorists and reduced travel time of up to 10 minutes compared to the existing route through town.”

“The goal is to reduce congestion and delays caused by the two rail level crossings and four 90-degree bends which are difficult for heavy vehicles to safely navigate on the current route,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr Toole said the bypass should remove more than 1000 trucks per day from local streets, and also facilitate connectivity to the Parkes Special Activation Precinct and the Inland Rail.

Parkes Shire Mayor and Chair of the Newell Highway Task Force Cr Ken Keith OAM said this is a great outcome for the Parkes Shire community.

“I encourage our community to provide feedback on the revised Concept Design while it’s on public display in the coming months,” Cr Keith said.

Local residents, business owners and road users are encouraged to attend the upcoming information sessions to find out more about the project.

The concept design and Review of Environmental Factors will be on display at rms.

work/parkesupgrade, at the Parkes Shire Council Administration Centre and Service NSW Parkes from Monday 1 July to Friday 9 August 2019.

Tax time can often be a difficult time of the year as you become overwhelmed with what to do. To be prepared this year set aside some specific time now to go over your paperwork and create a checklist. This will ensure you tick off all of your required and are able to lodge before the rush.

A lot of individuals become uncertain with what they can and can’t claim at tax time. It can often be a very time consuming and frustrating time, so you can always reach out and ask the professionals in Parkes such as Peter Woods & Associates, David Bickett and Ward and Associates Accountants for advice.

Running your own small business in today’s world, and keeping abreast of change can be a complex task. The requirements to keep up with changes in tax laws and software requirements can take away valuable time from running your own business.

The team at Peter Woods and Associates are able to support you and your business, and make this process easier. They can assist not only with tax returns and activity statements, but also the requirements of running a business, business advice, and accounting software (MYOB, Xero, Phoenix amongst others) including single touch payroll solutions.

Peter Woods and Associates is a long established accounting firm with over 20 years’ experience in the accounting field, they recognise that every business is different and will require different levels of support at different times in the business lifecycle, let them know how they can help you.

It’s important to collate all of your documents such as PAYG summaries, pension or government allowance, interest earned, rental property income, business income, work related expenditure, investment expenses, charity donations and private health insurance, just to name a few.

Tax planning should be customised to individual needs, and should be undertaken with the assistance of an expert. When planning now you should certainly consider strategies available specifically for Small Business Entities, such as the immediate write off deductions for capital items, and bringing forward expenses into the 2019 financial year. Other tools to discuss with your accountant or advisor include the use of Superannuation Contributions as a deduction or Farm Management Deposits as a strategy.

This time of year is also ideal for planning and forecasting for the new financial year. Professionals can refine the process of identifying both the goals and the concerns of clients, and work with them to map a plan for the coming years. This includes a cash flow forecast and projected Profit and Loss, and is ideally revisited regularly through the new financial year. Planning and measuring performance are essential for reaching your personal and business goals.

The sooner you get in touch with the experts, the sooner you can lighten your load.

Congratulations to the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB), who competed at the Forbes Eisteddfod, coming first in the Open Instrumental Ensemble, and first in the Open Band Group. Music Director Duncan Clement was responsible for a great choice of contrasting music pieces to play and for preparing the band to play with focus, confidence and enjoyment.

The PSCB loves to collaborate with other music groups in the Shire. The recent concert ‘New Harmonies’, a concert showcasing choral and instrumental groups was a great success.

Five of the PSCB band members are in the band for the next production of the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society, ‘Les Misérables’, and are keen to musically support the fantastic team who organise the shows at the M & D Society. It’s a wonderful opportunity to become part of a great group of people who all volunteer their time, who are very welcoming to new people to the theatre while making friendships along the way.

It does not matter at what level you can play, whether you used to play an instrument or even if you would like to learn, all are welcome to join the PSCB.

Rehearsals on Tuesday 7-9pm during school term, above Pool Complex, Dalton Street.

Contact Duncan Clement, PSCB Music Director, duncanclement@hotmail.com, 0405 035 164.

A woman from Parkes has won the guaranteed 1st Prize of $200,000 in the Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot, drawn Wednesday 19 June 2019.

Confirming her prize with a NSW Lotteries official, the winner revealed the timing of her windfall couldn’t have been better.

“Oh my god! Thank you so much. I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it. Just a few days ago I’d really been thinking about how nice it would be to win just $100,000 and just how much easier that would make my life right now. It’s just so surreal! When I saw the results online I didn’t want to get too excited just in case it wasn’t real!”

“It’s definitely come at a very good time.

In fact it couldn’t have come at a better time. Wow!”

The hardworking and generous mum said she’d already planned exactly how she’d use her windfall.

“We will pay off our mortgage and we just won’t have to worry about money which is a huge weight off our shoulders,” she said.

“I’d love to take the family on a lovely holiday as well. It’s just so hard to comprehend.

It’s just so lovely. I am in absolute shock!”

The happy winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased her winning entry online at thelott.com – Australia’s official lotteries.

The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is now $75.16 million for draw 1360 while the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot is now $1.80 million for draw 10295.

For your chance to make today your ‘Lucky’ day, why not get your paws on a Lucky Lotteries ticket at your local NSW Lotteries outlet or online via thelott.com.

NSW Lotteries customers can purchase a single ticket number into the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot for $2.20 and the Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot for $5.50.