On Friday 29 August, the 3rd Parkes Scout Group were excited to have a visit from Mr Paul Hennessy, NSW Honorary Branch Commissioner and Deputy Chair of NorthWest Scout Fellowship.

The purpose of Paul’s visit was to deliver a donation to the group from the SOCKS (Scout Outback Community Kids Support) Program. SOCKS donates items of uniform to regional scout groups to help kids in the country who cannot afford uniforms, as the cost for some families can be difficult.

The program has supported a number re­gional Scout Groups so far which includes 3rd Broken Hill Sea Scout Group and 1st Kandos Scout Group.

Parkes Shire Council is thrilled to launch the Parkes CBD Revitalisation Project, an exciting initiative to invigorate the heart of Parkes to deliver a vibrant, welcoming des­tination for locals and visitors alike.

Council has secured $360,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Community Improvement District Pilot Program (Round Two), to deliver a range of outcomes aimed at energising the town centre and futureproofing the local economy.

Key highlights include:

• Establish a collaborative governance model that brings together local busi­nesses, property owners, and Council to shape the future of the CBD.

• Develop an updated Vibrancy Strategy for the CBD and branding strategy to position Parkes as a must-visit regional hub.

• Deliver tailored business training and workshops to strengthen local skills and competitiveness.

• Transform Cooke Park with a limitedtime lighting installation and a signature community activation event, creating a unique focal point for connection, cel­ebration, and local engagement.

The revitalisation is about making the CBD more walkable, engaging, and con­nected. Community support for the project has been strong, with backing from the Parkes Chamber of Commerce, local busi­ness owners, and property stakeholders.

This momentum follows extensive com­munity consultation, ensuring the project aligns with local aspirations.

Hamish Ritchie, Economic Development Specialist at Parkes Shire Council, said the project is about creating a vibrant and in­clusive town centre that reflects the com­munity’s values.

“This project is about creating a CBD that people genuinely enjoy spending time in, a place that reflects how we live, connect, and support each other as a community,” Mr Ritchie said.

“Guided by what the community has told us they want and love about Parkes.

A place where community, business, and creativity can thrive together.”

For more information about the Commu­nity Improvement District Pilot Program: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/CIDPilot

The annual mock crash demonstration re­turned last week and was viewed by over 400 Year 10 students from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas. Seven local high schools are taking part in this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program, which includes a pre classroom lesson, the live mock crash demonstration and a follow-up classroom lesson.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said the purpose of the mock crash demonstration is to show young drivers what happens when a crash occurs.

“The mock crash demonstration started with a short video that set the scene about how the crash occurred and introduced the youth actors. Then the curtains opened, and the audience watched as the youth actors called ‘000’ for help.

“When emergency service personnel ar­rived, they were confronted with two severe­ly injured trapped passengers, one dead passenger and an emotional driver.

“The mock crash demonstration conclud­ed with recorded victim impact statements which highlighted what life has been like for the driver, her surviving passengers and their families nine months on. The videos included point of view footage of what hap­pened at the Police station and hospital.

The program has been running since 2009. Over that period there has been a 27% reduction in crashes on local roads in­volving a young driver (17 – 25 years old).“It is a real team effort. Thanks to Parkes High School, Westlime, Regency Medical, Parkes Auto Wreckers, The McMasters, Bella Henry, Julia Sullivan, Halle Molloy, Senior Constable Emma Dyball, Acting Sergeant Jane Heffernan, Sergeant Philip Brown, Constable Anthony O’Brien, Made­line Elkhouri, Ebony Domanski, Jeff Field, Matthew Hando, David Law, Mark Appleby, Leanne Field, Marshall Munn, Glen Morgan, Sherry Morgan, CCT Productions, Chloe Marskell, Logan Davies, Abigail Heard and Abbey Browne,” Ms Suitor said.

A series of major upgrades to The Bogan Way are complete, transforming more than 25 kilometres of this vital regional freight route and improving safety and access across the Parkes Shire.

Seven projects made up the $15.7 million Parkes Shire North South Link (MR350) Project.This included three projects funded by more than $4.5 million from the Aus­tralian Government under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and over $9 million from the New South Wales Government.

The Bogan Way is a regional road link that provides a vital north-south road train route through the Narromine, Parkes and Forbes shires in central west NSW. It sup­ports transport operators connecting pro­ducers to grain silos and the Central West Livestock Exchange, and is a vital haulage and residential access route.

The completed works enable higher pro­ductivity vehicles, including AB Triples, to safely use the route, thanks to addressing pavement rehabilitation, widening, realign­ment, culvert replacement, and the installa­tion of wire rope barriers.

Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott said, “The council is fortunate to have the staff and expertise to deliver projects of this scale in-house, supporting our community while dramatically improving safety.”

Central West Credit Union (CWCU), Bank Orange and Family First Bank have joined 22 other regional banks and community organisations to advocate to keep face-toface branches open in regional towns.

The organisations have formed the Re­gional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA) and want essential bank branch services such as cash handling and fraud advice to be supported by a community service obli­gation (CSO) on the wider Australian bank­ing sector to share the cost burden.

Despite inquiries and taskforces, big banks have closed more than 90 regional branches since February 2022, including more than a dozen this year.

CEO of CWCU, Ron Hetherington, said, “The big four banks alone made more than $31billion in profit last year, but continue to walk away from the communities that helped build their success”.“It’s time to meet our community service obligations and support the banks that stay so that they can continue to provide the face-to-face banking services that Austral­ians need.”

The Alliance have been garnering sup­port from community groups, with the Country Women’s Association (CWA) NSW, Regional HQ, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) and National Seniors signing on as sup­porters.

CEO of CWA NSW, Danica Leys said, “Regional and rural Australia is the life­blood of Australia. Many families in the re­gions rely on their local branch for not just face-to-face banking services, but for em­ployment and sponsorships.

“Regional banks keep their profits local and are helping our country towns thrive.

People in rural Australia should not miss out on essential services.”

With the finalisation of a cash mandate on the government’s agenda, a new con­sultation on cash distribution, and continu­ation of branch closures from larger banks, the Alliance hopes to continue work with the government on creating an environ­ment where face-to-face branch services and fair cash distribution is available, no matter where you live in Australia.