Roxane Manley

Special Counsel Belinda Rayment will be representing the Envi­ronmental Defenders Office at the event.

The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Energy-from-Waste is still ongoing, and another public hearing has been sched­uled. The Inquiry continues to examine a range of issues associated with Energy-from-Waste in NSW, including environ­mental regulation, planning frameworks, community consultation, and the poten­tial impacts on local communities and in­dustries such as agriculture.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) will be in Parkes on Wednesday, 1 July at the Parkes Services Club to pro­vide information and guidance regarding the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery Project.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is Australia’s leading public inter­est environmental law organisation and the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific region.

The EDO is taking the time to visit Parkes to provide the community with independent information about the plan­ning and assessment process for the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery Pro­ject. The purpose of the information night is to help residents better understand their rights and opportunities to partici­pate in the assessment process once the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is released.

Topics to be covered at the information evening will include:

• Understanding the process once the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) goes on public exhibition

• How to write effective submissions in response to the EIS

• Opportunities for community involve­ment and how to have your say throughout the assessment process.

There is no need to register in advance, community members are simply encour­aged to attend. With the EIS expected to be a substantial and complex document, this information night will help equip the community with the knowledge and con­fidence to have their voices heard when the public exhibition period begins. The session is an opportunity to hear inde­pendent information about the planning process, understand what happens when the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) goes on public exhibition, learn how to prepare an effective submission, and ask questions about how to partici­pate in the assessment process.

(L-R) Parkes Shire Council’s Director Planning & Community Services Annalise Teale, and Deputy Mayor Marg Applbee. Representing Evolution Mining – Northparkes Operations were Processing Manager Mitch Garside, and Communications and Engagement Superintendent Brooke Plunkett.

A significant new investment in the future of young people across the Parkes Shire has been announced, with Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations and Parkes Shire Council partnering to deliver a new Youth Officer position.

The new part-time position, established for an initial three-year term, represents a major commitment to strengthening youth engagement, participation, wellbeing and opportunities across the entire Parkes Shire.

Funded by Northparkes Operations and managed by Parkes Shire Council, the role has been designed to provide a coordinated and flexible approach to supporting young people, responding directly to community feedback that identified youth activities and mental health as key priorities.

The Youth Officer will work closely with young people, schools, community organi­sations, sporting clubs, and service provid­ers to create meaningful opportunities for youth engagement, leadership develop­ment and social connection.

Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Marg Apple­bee said the new position will play an impor­tant role in ensuring young people have a stronger voice in shaping the future of their communities.

The role will support youth-focused pro­grams and events, coordinate activities through Council facilities and community venues, establish partnerships across the region and deliver outreach initiatives to smaller communities throughout the Shire.

Importantly, the position has been de­signed with flexibility in mind, recognising that effective youth engagement often oc­curs outside traditional business hours.

Council is now preparing to advertise the position and is seeking an enthusiastic, in­novative and community-minded individual who can help make the role truly excep­tional.

The successful applicant will have the op­portunity to help guide the program from the ground up, develop strong community part­nerships and create lasting outcomes that support young people across the Parkes Shire.