The very popular Lions Park in Parkes is to receive a much-needed upgrade, with the scope of the project to include a new collection of play equipment, as well as brand new shelters and barbeques.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Councillor Ken Keith OAM spoke of the planned upgrades to the park, “The big changes have a lot of community support and are sure to make the venue an even more popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

“Children will be able to develop a range of skills playing on the new equipment, as they get wings on the 25m double sky-rider (flying fox), scramble up the multi-play Sky Tower, or scale the quartz rock climbing block.

“There will also be a swing set with an inclusive seat, a 2.3m carousel that can accommodate a wheelchair, three trampolines placed in the ground, a balance trail and a junior multi-play unit,” he added.

All the equipment will be placed on soft fall to enhance the physical experience of the park and encourage independent play. A winding bike path around the equipment will encourage children of all abilities to engage in wheel-based play.

The first preparatory steps have already begun, with two dangerous trees removed to improve community safety and to make way for the remainder of the works, withcompletion expected by July 2023.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said infrastructure projects such as the Lions Park in Parkes was precisely why the LRCI Program was created. 

Proudly funded by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program committing $435,000 and Parkes Shire Council $415,000.

Parkes Shire Council are set to open a free water play space at Kelly Reserve in Parkes after securing $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government.

Community consultation has identified Kelly Reserve as the most suitable location for a water play space.

The play space will be designed using the topography of the Lachlan catchment and the rivers, lakes, dams, weirs, and bores as inspiration. Interpretive signage will tell the story of water and explain the physics and engineering that surround natural and engineered water flow.

Council’s Mayor, Ken Keith OAM said the project would expand on the already popular facilities at Kelly Reserve.

“The establishment of a free water play space has been a long-held desire of many in our community, and we’re very pleased to be bringing this vision to life through the funding we’ve received from the NSW Government,” added Cr Keith.

Innovation, inclusivity, and accessibility is at the forefront of this project ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can engage in play, with inclusions such as a splash pad, water fountains, wide bridges and trickling streams included.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said the new water play space will be a great addition to Kelly Reserve in Parkes.

“Once completed this place will make a splash in the Parkes community and bring residents of all ages and abilities together to cool off in summer months as well as learning about water,” Mr Scully said.

“I can’t wait to see how the design will draw on the unique water story of the Lachlan Valley and I am really excited to see the project get underway.”

Works on this project are expected to be completed mid-2024.

We have received glowing reports from our Royal Easter Show competition winners. 

Forbes winner, Joanne Holmes was excited to win and took her three grandchildren to the Show, saying “The grandkids and I had a great time, as you can see by the smiles on their faces.” 

Parkes winner Theresa Byrnes was equally excited and took, daughter Rebecca Byrnes and two of her grandchildren along with her. “We had an absolute blast adventuring around the show,” said Theresa.

The Finance Sector Union (FSU) is calling on the major banks to stop closing bank branches in metropolitan and regional areas while a Senate Inquiry into Regional Branch Closures is underway. 

ANZ recently closed its Parkes branch which services both Parkes and Forbes residents. The bank has also notified the FSU it will close Clarkson in WA, Patterson Lakes in Victoria and Lane Cove in NSW with the loss of 15 jobs in June. 

Additionally, the CBA has notified the FSU it will close branches at Bull Creek in WA and Aspley, Qld in June with the loss of 12 jobs. 

Both the CBA and ANZ have committed to pausing regional closures while the Inquiry continues. 

“The major banks are making massive profits and yet they continue to shut down branches and they don’t care about customers and businesses who are impacted by these closures,” Ms Angrisano said. 

“The morale of bank workers is at rock bottom as they wait to hear if their branch and their job is on the hit list.” 

NAB refuses to acknowledge community concerns and has announced branches at Jeparit and Inverloch in Victoria will close. Branches at Boonah, Qld and Queanbeyan, NSW will also be shut down. Each NAB branch will close in July. 

“The NAB’s behaviour is outrageous, completely out of step with community expectations and in breach of its social license,” Ms Angrisano said. 

“The FSU believes the banks should be compelled to pause all closures, in metropolitan and regional areas, while the Senate Inquiry is underway.” 

“Australians deserve to have access to the full range of financial services no matter where they live.”