When the vote to change the Constitution goes before the people of Australia later this year, everyone will have the opportunity to individually have their say by way of a vote.

I remain deeply concerned about what the Voice will do to our country and the way in which we are governed.

Ultimately, The Nationals believe adding another layer of bureaucracy in Canberra will not genuinely close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The Nationals want to address the serious issues affecting Indigenous Australians by delivering frontline, evidence-based and place-based solutions which will help lift Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people out of poverty – by stimulating economic participation, generating jobs and eliminating domestic and family violence.

We believe the bureaucracy should leave Canberra and visit communities around regional and rural town halls and campfires – instead of bureaucracy coming to Canberra.

Labor still has not made clear who will be elected to the Voice, how candidates will be chosen and what difference it will make to Indigenous people’s lives.

Everyone will have the chance to have their say via the ballot box.

Since the inception of theNorthparkes Mine Community Investment Program in 2011, over one million dollars has been invested in the Parkes and Forbes Shires.

The program runs twice each year, with $50,000 available each round. Funding of $40,000 is a contribution from Northparkes Mine and $10,000 is a contribution from Triple Flag Precious Metals.

Northparkes Mines Managing Director, Jianjun Tian said, “The Community Investment Program has been operating for 12 years, and is our ongoing commitment to support our community, and in tandem our organisation’s vision of ‘a century of mining, together’. 

“As a residential mine, we invest in meaningful partnerships to support our communities and people into the future. These ongoing contributions to Parkes and Forbes Shire are fundamental to our success as a company.”

The successful applicants for round one included:

• Parkes Junior Cricket Association

• Forbes Amateur Swimming Club Inc.

• Forbes Ranch Sorting and Penning

• Peak Hill Leisure Arts & Craft Inc

• Paint The Town REaD

• Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc

• Forbes Toy Library

• Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc

• Trundle Bush Tucker Day Incorporated

• Parkes East Public School – Marimba Troupe

• Forbes Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Association Inc

• Country Women’s Association of NSW

• Forbes District Soccer Club

• Peak Hill P A & H Association Inc.

P• arkes Community Arts Inc

The Community Investment Program has an independent selection committee, made up of local community members of Parkes and Forbes to review the applications and allocate the available funding. This involves ensuring the applications meet the economic, social, environmental, cultural, recreational and educational needs of the local communities.

The second round of the 2023 Community Investment Program will open on 1st July, and close on 31st October. For information, please contact Laura Mansell, 6812 3556, laura.mansell@au.cmoc.com 

Inland Rail are happy to announce that a vital part of the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail project has been delivered, with nearly 4,000 railway sleepers weighing a total of over 1,000 tonnes arriving in Daroobalgie for a new crossing loop.

The Stockinbingal to Parkes project area spans from just north of the rail junction in Stockinbingal to south of Goobang Junction in Parkes, NSW.

Major construction on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section is expected to begin in late 2023 and involves enhancements or modifications to specific sites along the existing rail corridor to accommodate double-stacked freight trains.

Other works planned for Stockinbingal to Parkes include increasing vertical clearance on the Lachlan River Rail Bridge and Wyndham Avenue Road Bridge in Forbes, modifying Forbes Railway Station, and enhancing several existing crossings, structures, and utilities.

Melvyn Maylin, Inland Rail Director Program Delivery, Albury to Parkes, said: “The crossing loop at Daroobalgie features 2.2km of new track built to the eastern side of the existing track and will include the replacement and extension of culverts to mitigate flooding on neighbouring land. The crossing loop will allow trains in opposite directions to safely pass each other.

“The Stockinbingal to Parkes project is in the procurement and detailed design stages. During this time, we are seeking to appoint a construction contractor to finalise detailed design and construct the project.

“Early works in and around Forbes will be ongoing, including the relocation of gas and water infrastructure. These works are required because they will enable major construction to proceed more efficiently once a contractor is appointed.

“Inland Rail is an important project that will help Australia move more freight, enhancing the national freight rail network and making our roads safer for all.”