Thank you to everyone who supported this week’s Anzac commemorations across the Parkes Shire. It was wonderful to see such a big turnout, a reflection of community spirit.

Guided by the feedback received during the Parkes 2030 Community Consultation Workshops, Council has prepared the draft suite of strategic plans. These documents outline the programs and projects Parkes Shire Council will undertake over the next four years, and how these will be funded. Residents can view the draft plans at www. parkes.nsw.gov.au. Council welcomes and encourages your feedback.

Last week we welcomed Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester MP who announced a $1.3 million dollar invest- ment towards the construction of two new rail bridges along the Melbourne to Bris- bane rail route.

On Sunday, residents and visitors have a rare opportunity to go inside some of Parkes’ majestic heritage homes as part of the 2017 Australian Heritage Festival. The Sunrise to Sunset – Parkes Heritage Houses open day will see the doors of six grand homes open. Contact the Parkes Visitor Information Centre on 6862 6000 or www.visitparkes.com. au to purchase your tickets.

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free two- hour workshop at Trundle Central School on Wednesday, 3rd May at 6pm. Bookings are essential, call 6861 2364.

I would firstly like to thank our wonderful local State Emergency Service members for their work responding to all the emer- gency calls during the flash flooding earlier this week. The Parkes area experienced a greater than one in one hundred year rain- fall event on Monday evening, resulting in flooding in parts of the town. A big thank you also to Council’s roads crew for working around the clock, directing traffic around those flooded areas.

Residents are encouraged to share their rainfall data with Council to allow our Infra- structure Department to identify problem areas throughout the town. Upload your flash flood photos, rain gauge readings and location via Council’s website.

With more wet weather on its way, I urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling. Please avoid walking or driving through flood waters, it may be deeper and faster flowing than anticipated and/or the road may have suffered extensive damage hidden beneath the water. Keep an eye on Council’s website and Facebook page for road closure updates.

The wet weather means the pool season is coming to an end, with Parkes Pool host- ing its Last Summer Splash Pool Party tomorrow.

It’s official – Parkes will welcome the Queen’s Baton ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Parkes has been announced as one of the stops along the longest relay in history, travelling 230,000 km in 388 days. Parkes Shire residents are encouraged to nominate locals that inspire them to become a baton bearer. Nominations are open until 15th May via gc2018.com/qbr.

I have recently returned from Toowoomba where I attended the 2017 Transport and Logistics Symposium. I was given the op- portunity to speak about the progress of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project, and promote the importance of this project for regional areas, including the Parkes Shire. The symposium has been developed to create a conversation around inland rail and the importance of infrastructure, identify opportunities for local industry and en- courage further investment in the transport and logistics sector.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who helped clean up, fix up and conserve our local environment for Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday. Council staff were joined by a number of residents, local school students and members of the Parkes Rural Fire Service to fill two trailers with rubbish collected from various locations across Parkes and Peak Hill.

A big congratulations to the Parkes Elvis Festival for its success at the 2016 QAN- TAS Australian Tourism Awards, awarded the bronze in the Festivals and Events category. The 2016 Festival was awarded the prestigious accolade in front of 800 industry leaders and peers at a gala ceremony in Darwin last Friday. This esteemed award is a reflection of all the hard work, dedication and support that our wonderful community, volunteers and staff contribute each year to make the Festival what it is today.

Parkes Shire residents are invited to join the nation-wide effort to help conserve the environment on Sunday for Clean Up Australia Day. Community members are encouraged to gather friends, family and colleagues to join Council staff in helping to clean up, fix up and conserve our local parks, gardens and reserves. Registrations will take place at Lions Park from 8am, where they will be given a clean-up kit and allocated a site. Participants in Peak Hill can register from 7.30am tomorrow and on Sunday at the Commercial Gardens. You’ll be rewarded for all your efforts with a sau- sage sizzle after the clean-up.

The community will have the opportunity to learn how to write a winning grant application at the upcoming Grant Funding Forums on Thursday, 9th March. All community groups, sporting groups, schools and other organisations are welcome to attend one of two workshops, from 2 to 4pm or 6 to 8pm at the Coventry Room. Please reserve your place by emailing ellie.odonoghue@ parkes.nsw.gov.au or phoning 6861 2398.

For those who missed the Parkes 2030 Community Workshops, join the conversa- tion via our online survey – www.parkes. nsw.gov.au

Have an enjoyable weekend.
Yours Faithfully, Cr Ken Keith OAM

Mayor of Parkes Shire

I would firstly like to thank our wonderful Rural Fire Service (RFS) for keeping watch this summer. While the Parkes Shire has avoided any major fires during this period of extreme heat, it is timely to thank all our volunteer fire fighters who make themselves available. Their services have been called upon on several occasions this sum- mer with early intervention limiting damage.

Parkes is gearing up to host the Local Government Touch Carnival at Cheney Park tomorrow. Celebrating 25 years, the Carnival attracts teams from across the state, comprising of Australian and Local Government employees, allied organisations and their families. I encourage everyone to get along to Cheney Park and cheer on the players from 9am.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the quirky depictions of the Austral- ian landscapes, when Parkes Shire Library hosts an exhibition by contemporary artist and ABC journalist, Gavin Coote dur- ing March. Gavin’s surreal paintings go on exhibition at the Library on 1st March, with an official opening on Friday, 3rd March at 6pm. If you would like to meet Gavin at the official opening, please RSVP on 6861 2309.