Maggi Barnard

Unlike many other towns, Parkes does not have a natural water supply, and has been ‘making do’ with the original infrastructure for sewage and water since the 1930s, and 1950s respectively.

Last Wednesday, Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, joined Mayor of Parkes Shire Council, Ken Keith OAM, to officially open  the new water infrastructure renewal projects as part of a $100 million program of works in the state’s Central West.

Mr Grant said the NSW Government contributed to the infrastructure projects to provide the regional community with safe and secure drinking water. “Water security is vital to the life of regional towns and cities. These projects renew the town’s entire urban water cycle, encompassing raw water supply, water treatment, as well as wastewater treatment.”

“These upgrades represent the largest capital works program that Parkes Shire Council has ever undertaken,” Mr Grant said. The NSW Government has worked closely with Council to help upgrade the Parkes Sewage and Water Treatment Plants, the Lachlan River Pump Station and Bore 8 refurbishment.

The new Water Treatment Plant uses state-of-the-art processes to treat the potable water supply. The Lachlan River Intake upgrades strengthen Parkes raw water supply and water security for Parkes.

The new Sewage Treatment Plant produces high quality effluent that increases treatment capacity and minimises impacts on the local environment. “These upgrades provide immediate amenity improvements for residents while
future-proofing their water supply,” said Mr Grant.

Parkes Shire Council’s Mayor Ken Keith OAM thanked the NSW Government for its contributions to the water infrastructure projects. “Council are incredibly proud of these new facilities, and of the flow-on benefits to the community.”

The Council held a Community Open Day last Saturday to celebrate the completion of the new treatment plants, which attracted a steady turnout of locals keen to learn more about their water and wastewater services.

Netball is ranked as the leading women’s participation team sport in Australia for 15 to 24 year olds. It is a great sport to develop health and fitness in a team based environment regardless of the level of competition.

Like any sport there is an inherent risk of injury. National insurance data indicates that as high as 25% of all major injuries are attributed to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Furthermore ACL injury comes at high physical, emotional and financial cost to the athlete.

The ACL is the main stabilising ligament in the knee. Females are 4 to 6 times more likely than males to rupture this ligament. There is also further risk associated with athletes participating in sports involving deceleration, pivoting and twisting. This means that netballers have a high risk of injury to the ACL and lower limbs.

Research tells us that 50 to 70% of all ACL injuries can be prevented with neuromuscular training programmes. These types of programmes are basically designed to improve the strength, flexibility, control, balance and co-ordination of the athlete.

Not only can they decrease the incidence of lower limb injuries, they have the added benefit of enhancing performance. With this in mind Netball Australia, along with the Institute of Sport has developed the KNEE programme to provide education to coaches, players and parents. The KNEE programme is a netball specific neuromuscular training programme and can be accessed at www.http//knee.netball.com.au.

Whether you are a coach to your child’s netball team, support staff, athlete or parent this programme is designed to keep players on the court for longer and moving more efficiently when there.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Northparkes Mines did exceptionally well at the NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards last Thursday at NSW Parliament House in Sydney. Robyn Teet won the Young Achiever award and Rob Cunningham won the Outstanding Contribution to Mining award.

Robyn joined Northparkes in 2016 with the Life of Mine and Exploration department and has since transitioned to the Mining Operations department as the Operations Geotechnical Engineer. On a daily basis, Robyn works with the mining operations team to ensure the geotechnical safety and security of the operation.

Rob Cunningham joined Northparkes in 1993 when the operations first opened. He started as an operator and is now the Manager of our Mining Operations department. Rob is responsible for safe production in our underground operations, as well as delivering quality product to the operation’s ore processing facility.

Jim Fowler, Managing Director, Northparkes, said, “We are very proud to have both Rob and Robyn as a part of our
team at Northparkes. It’s fantastic to see them being recognised for their incredible achievements and dedication to not only Northparkes, but the mining industry.”

For those of you on the road this long weekend, whether going on a trip or even just driving around town, be aware. Double demerit points will be in force again over the Easter holiday period to improve safety on roads across the state.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the double demerit point period would commence on Thursday 29 March and conclude on Monday 2 April (inclusive).

“Double demerit points will apply to all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences this Easter holiday period. NSW Police will also be targeting dangerous driving behaviours such as drink driving and driver fatigue.”

Since their inception in 1997 there have been significant reductions in fatal crashes over the holiday periods; including Christmas/New Year, Easter and long weekends. Mobile phone offences were added to the list of double demerit point penalties in December 2015, with the aim of deterring this dangerous and distracting behaviour.
“Driving over the speed limit to save a couple of minutes, pushing on driving when you are tired, using your mobile phone whilst behind the wheel and driving after a few drinks isn’t worth the risk of not arriving at all.”

“I ask all drivers to remain vigilant over the Easter holiday period. We all have a part to play in reducing the amount of crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, limit distractions in the car, don’t drink and drive and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts,” Ms Suitor said.

Lachlan Highway Patrol Sergeant Dearne Jeffree is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time. “People may think that it is never going to happen to them – but unfortunately none of us are immune. Disturbingly almost three times as many people died on NSW roads over the Christmas/New Year break. We have seen some poor decisions made by a handful of drivers across the state.

“Drivers should be warned that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this five-day period. There will be more Police on the roads and therefore more chance of getting caught,” Sergeant Jeffree said.

For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.