General Interest Archives - Page 162 of 352

Why You Need To Keep Exercising

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Working out at home or going for a run around the park might not be your idea of getting great fitness results, but it is an important step in normality.

There are still some sports allowed under lockdown and these include: running, golf, cycling, shooting hoops, strength training, pilates, yoga, dance, and kicking a soccer ball with one other person. Keeping a daily activity routine this lockdown is just one way you can maintain some control over your everyday life. And it’s more important than you may think.

Regular exercise is good for both our physical and mental health. Start by setting achievable goals, such as being active most days, or every day if you can. It doesn’t have to be a whole-body workout that pushes you to your physical limited, but getting the body moving and the heart rate up is a simple way to ensure you use it, before you lose it.

Here are some simple things that might help you keep on track:
• finding things you enjoy doing
• varying your activities to keep them interesting
• setting achievable goals
• setting a routine and planning your day to include time for activity
• monitoring your activity and progress
• getting the support of your family and friends

The benefits of regular exercise include:
• reducing the risk of health conditions like stroke and heart dis-ease
• controlling weight
• reducing stress and anxiety
• improving sleep

Parkes To Produce World-Class Alternative Energy Products

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Special Activation Precinct has been identified as a priority location for a waste from energy facility that will change our thinking on waste and will attract and build industry and jobs in a sustainable way.

The Parkes Special Activation Precinct has been identified as a priority location to host a waste from energy facility.

Other locations included in the NSW Government’s newly released Energy From Waste (EfW) Infrastructure Plan include the West Lithgow Precinct, Richmond-Valley Regional Jobs Precinct and Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct.

The Plan outlines how the NSW Government will support innovative ways of managing waste, drive investment into the bush and provide certainty for communities.

Energy from waste is a processing method that turns waste, that would normally be designated to landfill, into useable energy. Typically, waste is moved by rail or road to these facilities.

The Parkes Special Activation Precinct Master Plan has set aside an area for re-source recovery and recycling.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM congratulated the NSW Government for their EfW Infrastructure Plan, which will give certainty for communities and investors, by creating opportunities for NSW to lead the way in the delivery of world-class alternative energy products.

“To the NSW Government’s great credit, the identification of sites has been done on merit, which took into consideration the proximity to residential areas, and to efficient transport links. These are state-of-the-art facilities with the world’s best technology, which will drive waste from landfill into energy creation,” said Ken.

“Examples of EfW facilities can be found all over the world from Europe to Asia. This is proven technology and plays a role alongside other recycling technologies, in providing an end-of-life waste alternative to landfilling in keeping with circular economy

principles. It’s about changing our thinking on waste from it being a problem that we bury, to an asset that helps us attract and build industry and jobs in a sustainable way. These facilities are multimillion dollar investments and create substantial jobs.”

This legislation provides certainty for those wishing to develop an EfW plant and certainty for residents concerned about where EfW plants may develop across NSW.

Under the plan, operators of energy from waste projects will be required to make emissions data available to the community in real time online, to boost community confidence and transparency.

These facilities provide a dedicated area for essential waste and resource recovery that allows for a variety of new recycling and reprocessing industries. There is also a great opportunity for resource recovery research.

The location within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct is also perfect from a logistics perspective being at the intersection of national rail networks. Even though the latest filtration technology makes energy from waste virtually pollution-free, wide buffer zones are built into the 4,800ha precinct design, which makes the activation precinct the perfect location. Air quality and odour will be monitored across the precinct.

Water used during the process is captured and recycled at a precinct level and on-site. Any heat and steam generated as part of the process could be used in the Special Activation Precinct for processing and manufacturing of agricultural value adding industries, while electricity can be fed into the national grid or used within the precincts to power collocated industry.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/waste-facilities/energy-recovery

Central West Vaccination Rates Best In Australia!

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The ADF and NSW Health was back in town this week for three days for the second round of the pop-up clinic for Pfizer vaccinations. People said the process was quick and ran very smoothly.

Parkes is one of seven local government areas in the NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) with first dose rates for COV-ID-19 vaccinations of over 80%, while the Central West is ahead of the whole country with its vaccination rates.

Four weeks ago in the week ending 8th August Parkes had a first dose percentage of 36 and second dose of 14.3%. On 9th September the figures for Parkes were 81.9% for first dose and 34.3% for second dose.

Overall vaccination rates in the WNSWL-HD are among the most-improved in NSW across the last four weeks. Scott McLachlan, WNSWLHD Chief Executive, said he would love to see the district reach the highest vaccination rate in all of Australia.

“I’m really proud of our communities. They’ve heard the message that vaccination is the best way to tackle COVID-19 and they’ve stepped up.

“We’ve seen the first-dose rate of COVID-19 vaccinations go from 17% to 56% for Aboriginal people and from 41% to 82% for non-Aboriginal people.

“The second-dose rate for Aboriginal people has gone from around 7% to almost 22%, and from 20% to more than 41% for non-Aboriginal people.

The seven local government areas in the district with first dose rates over 80% are Weddin, Orange, Dubbo, Coonamble, Narromine, Mid-Western and Parkes.

Coonamble has the highest second-dose rate at almost 50%. Orange, Weddin, Gilgandra, Walgett, Brewarrina, Cowra, Lachlan, Bourke and Forbes are all above 40%.

“I can’t stress this enough though – we can’t afford to think we’ve done enough.” Scott said 80% double dose meant there would still be 40,000 people unvaccinated and very vulnerable to the virus.

“Keep encouraging people to get vaccinated and make sure you come back for your second dose, it’s only after both doses that you get the maximum protection.

“Still get tested if you have any symptoms or concerns. Keep following the stay-at-home orders, practice good hand hygiene and social distancing and use the available QR codes.”

Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70% double vaccination target, expected to be reached in four to five weeks.

Critical To Look After Your Mental Health

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

GET OUT… Exercise is a great way to improve your mood. Parkes residents have taken to walking during this lockdown with so many people making use of the lovely spring weather and walking tracks all around town. (Photo: Parkes Shire Council)

“Look out for your family and friends, check in with them and see how they’re doing and, most importantly, reach out for help when you need it.”

NSW Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor joined the Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright and Chairman of Lifeline Australia John Brogden in calling on the community to be aware of their own mental health, as well as that of their family and loved ones while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

“This can be an incredibly stressful time for families, parents and children,” said the minister.

“There are services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone in crisis can reach out at any time to get the help they need.”

Dr Murray Wright said the message of hope is extremely important during this challenging time. “It’s a message that’s been lost in much of the recent coverage, but we need to reassure ourselves that the current situation is temporary. It will end, especially as our vaccination coverage increases.

With Lifeline taking a record numbers of calls, John Brogden said it was more important than ever for people to continue to reach out for help when they need it.

“Just as we’re all doing our bit to protect everyone’s physical health, it is critical we also look after our mental health.”

If life is in danger, dial 000 (Triple Zero) immediately. For crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For mental health advice, call Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348.

To connect with specialist mental health services, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

Show Pavilions Come Crashing Down

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The skeleton of the main pavilion was the last to go.

Last week Tuesday was a show day with a big difference. Instead of hundreds of people streaming to the annual show, there was only a handful of people who saw the 1927-built main pavilion come crashing to the ground.

The Grand Old Lady filled with arts, crafts, cakes and many other great displays has a special place in many people’s memories. Sadly, the frail building had reached its used by date and construction of a new fit for purpose pavilion is set to start soon.

The rest of the pavilions also went down last week, including the small photography pavilion, the bird pavilion, the commercial or McGlynn pavilion and the RS Howard pavilion.

The Parkes PA & H received a $4 million grant for the new pavilion to fulfill its 20-year dream that will be available for many other activities, such as weddings and the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The rest of the pavilions went down one by one last week. (Photos: Jason Kennedy)

Parkes Forum Sets Tone For Low Carbon Future

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Cr Neil Westcott is also a farmer and said agriculture would play a key role over the next decade to sequester carbon which would form an important part of farming profit.

Parkes has placed itself firmly on the map as a model others can look to following a forum hosted by the Parkes Shire Council recently on the global move towards a circular economy.

The 20 speakers at the Activating the Low Carbon Economy in Regional Australia forum held over 150 attendees, who joined in online, captivated for the whole day.

“It is exciting to be part of the solution and to know Parkes is heading in the right direction,” said Cr Neil Westcott, who was a main driver behind the forum.

He said the purpose of the forum was to build a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation. There were many fantastic ideas shared that could be relevant to not only Parkes and regional NSW, but all of regional Australia.

“The key drivers for the day were urgency, empathy and opportunity. It is a very unique time in our history as there are some enormous problems, however a fantastic opportunity to make better use of the resources we have available to us and to set a mode of operation built around the circular economy.”

Topics covered included the role and impact of renewable energy in the regions, the nature and benefits of a circular economy and what this means for business and government, the importance of a low carbon economy to regional and rural Australia, and how all of these will combine to embrace new industries and create local employment in Parkes, accelerating a transition to a prosperous low carbon future.

Multiple speakers applauded Parkes Shire Council for its strategic vision in hosting the forum and the work that Council is doing to champion a low carbon and circular economy to boost regional productivity and opportunities.

Beyond the forum, Council plans to develop a white paper to guide future projects, opportunities and embrace new industries and create local employment in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

Neil said the forum had also led to many spin-off meetings between the speakers that would hopefully lead to many more great outcomes.

Western NSW Business Awards Finalists

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

A number of Parkes businesses and business leaders are among the finalists of the 2021 Western NSW Business Awards.

Damien Newham from Giles Group Australia and Tyler Warren from Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical are finalists in the Out-standing Employee Award category, while Peter Giles from Giles Group Australia is a finalist in the Outstanding Young Business Leader category.

Kitson Manufacturing Solutions is a finalist in the Excellence in Small Business category and Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing is in the Employer of Choice category.

Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager – Western NSW at Business NSW, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross-section of businesses from right across the region.

Winners will be announced via an online awards ceremony (date to be announced), and will represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in November.

Snake Season Has Started

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Spring has hardly sprung and reports of snake sightings around Parkes have started.

With so many people out walking during lockdown, it is important to know what to do when encountering a snake.

If you come across a snake, your first instinct may be to run, which seems logical, but it’s actually not the best thing to do.

The best advice is to stand still as snakes do not have very good eyesight, so if you stand still the snake won’t feel threatened or scared. Slowly back away from the snake so you don’t startle it or trip over.

Treat all snakes you come across as venomous and do not try and identify the snake, instead just leave them alone.

If you find a snake in your backyard, get everyone and pets inside and away from the snake, and let it move on.

If it doesn’t appear to move on by itself, then call a snake catcher. Snakes come for water, food or shelter so keep your yard clean and limit water, rats, mice and frogs that might be around.

Remember snakes play an important role in eating rats, mice and other animals humans don’t particularly like.

We Can Do It Parkes!

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

WE BAND TOGETHER… The Parkes community has done brilliantly to get the vaccination rate up with 1,270 people getting their first dose at the three-day ADF clinic at Northparkes Oval recently. Go to www.health.gov.au to book your vaccination. INSET: Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has received both his jabs and is calling on his electorate to seriously consider rolling up their sleeves to help fellow community members.

The Parkes Shire community is stepping up to help keep us all safe with an 80% first dose vaccination rate in our sights.

Parkes is at 72.8% for the first dose, which is a little bit under the state wide 75% for the first dose.

This week Member for Riverina Michael McCormack appealed to his electorate to get the jab.

“Regional Australians are among the most resilient people in the world,” he said.

“The very worst of circumstances always brings out the very best in regional and rural people. We battle through fires and drought, storms and floods – and we do it together.

“We band together, we help our fellow community members. It is what we do.
“Now the COVID-19 pandemic is another significant challenge and, again, our regional and rural communities will rise to the occasion – together.”

Michael said the Delta strain of COVID-19 had presented a situation not experienced since the Spanish Flu pandemic more than 100 years ago.

“But we have a solution up our sleeves – it requires as many of us as possible to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

“I thank each and every person who has rolled up their sleeves for the jab and I urge and encourage those who have not yet done so to discuss your options with your GP to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith joined 11 other Mayors in the Riverina to call on residents to get vaccinated in a video released by the MP.

“It is so vital all our community get vaccinated,” said Ken, “and I encourage you to not only look after yourself, but your friends and family. Please get vaccinated!”

Never Fear, The Parkes Library Is Still Here

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Library created Boredom Buster packs for families with young children that include colouring in books, pencils and craft materials, as well as board games available for loan. If you are in isolation with young non-school aged children, give the Library a call on 6861 2309 to arrange for a delivery. Constable Chris Evans and Roxanne Gallacher from Parkes Shire Council busy making up the Boredom Buster packs.

Hard work behind the scenes at the Parkes Shire Library has resulted in the establishment of a housebound service for members not able to access the library’s online collection.

“This will be a COVID-safe contactless drop-off of library materials – books, audio books and DVDs – to your home,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Ser-vices Kerryn Jones.

The service started in Parkes from 2nd September and will be rolled out in Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore shortly. “If you are interested in having library materials delivered to your home, please give the library staff a call, so we can put you on our delivery list,” said Kerryn. “You can select your items from our web catalogue at https://parkes.libero.com.au/ or you can give us a call and let us know what books you would like.”

Members can also access an extensive online collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, or the latest eMagazines at My Online Library on Council’s website. Go to the Parkes Shire Libraries Facebook page to watch the instructional video or give the team a call on 6861 2309 to talk you through the process.

Story Time and Rhymetime are continuing in an online format on the Parkes Shire Libraries Facebook page delivered by the library staff. Like and follow the Facebook page to stay up to date with the videos.

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