The devastation of hundreds of trees and other vegetation being cut down as part of the development of the Parkes Special Activation Precinct has caused an outcry among members of the community.

“The trees and undergrowth that have been wiped out along Brolgan and Coopers Roads is disgraceful,” said one community member who contacted The Parkes Phoe-nix about the more than 5km of site clearing that started last month.

“So many trees were cut down and a lot of them were big and old. The amount of habitat loss is terrible – so many animals with babies killed, birds displaced, and possums, gliders, microbats and lizards lost their habitat,” said a local wildlife carer.

“It should never have happened during spring, it is just unbelievable,” said the carer who is looking after several baby birds that were rescued.

A spokesperson for the Department of Regional NSW, who is responsible for developing the Special Activation Precinct, said the clearing of vegetation, including trees, was necessary to accommodate the road design.

The construction work includes raising Brolgan Road and a new shared path by an average of one metre to mitigate against floods, which requires a larger footprint than is currently used by the lower-level roads. “All clearing for this purpose is within the existing road reserve,” said the spokesperson.

According to the Department of Regional NSW a dedicated ecologist is working onsite as part of the project team during vegetation removal to ensure any sensitive ecology is preserved, and any fauna is identified and relocated throughout this process.

The team has installed more than 80 nesting boxes in trees adjacent to the project to provide alternative nesting and roosting places for wildlife.

The local wildlife carer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the nesting boxes should have been put up long before the start of the clearing project. “A lot more care should have gone into checking hollows and nests before trees were cut down.”

While more than ten hatchlings and nestlings were taken to the vet, as well as some micro bats, the carer felt there would’ve been lots more birds that needed to be rescued judged by the number of trees cut down, while many of them did not survive the ordeal.

“It is just so distressing seeing the little blue wrens trying to make a home in the mounds of cut down vegetation as they have nowhere else to go, the many other displaced birds that keep on coming down to the rubble, while birds are fighting in the distance as they cross over into other territories. Butcher birds and Kookaburras can’t cross territories and will be killed.” The carer said the paddocks nearby hardly had any trees left to provide alternative homes.

According to the spokesperson the Department’s team also worked with a local Indigenous group to identify and transplant a group of native bushes to another area of the project that is not being disturbed.

Some measures have been taken by the Special Activation Precinct construction program that will see the planting of more than 3,200 new plants, including more than 800 from medium-large tree families. “An additional 350,000 square metres of spray seed will be applied to any potentially disturbed areas, basins and embankments,” said the spokesperson.

The mounds of vegetation left after clearing will be mulched on site, with the majority to be reused for project landscaping.

While the Special Activation Precinct has been hailed as a project that will ensure a strong, diverse economy for Parkes creating jobs and opportunities for the whole region when completed, the concern from community members is whether it is a case of progress at the expense of everything else.

This Sunday, 31st October marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of CSIRO’s Parkes Radio Telescope. Affectionately known as ‘The Dish’, the telescope has played an important role in our understanding of the Universe, space exploration and significant events, such as the 1969 Moon landing. Read more in next week’s edition about the celebrations. (Photo: CSIRO/A.Cherney)

The Mill at Eugowra is producing frames and trusses again. No, it’s not the old timber machines firing up again, this time round it is steel made by Light Steel Structures.

Modern, efficient and 100% recyclable the light gauge steel outweighs the timber option on the weight to strength ratio. Each project is custom produced to maximise speed and minimise cost.

Light Steel Structures is filling a void in the market throughout the Central West with its focus on looking after local builders, many of whom were left high and dry when the timber shortage hit home.

Light Steel Structures Manager, Daniel Relyea says “it’s great to be able to service the most important market sector, the lower volume builders. Together with the latest in machining technology and powerful design software, we can design and produce custom frames and trusses with a short turnaround time.

“I have spent many years in the building and construction industry and always used timber, but now having seen just how advanced steel framing can be, I’m a convert to steel. The dimple and rivet allow for a flush wall frame meaning fixing linings life gyprock sit flat.

“With steel frames being much lighter than timber, the system suits owner builders and those with small crews to work efficiently. It will be great to see money staying in the region with a new local business providing building products as well as jobs”, said Daniel.

Contact Daniel at Light Steel Structures on 0477 195 438 or by email: info@lightsteelstructures.com.au

Gum Swamp near Forbes is a unique wildlife sanctuary hosting an extensive array of birds in their natural habitat.

In time for National Bird Week, the swamp currently has a pair of nesting Sea Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Whistling Kite, Blue-billed Ducks, Freckled Duck, Pink Ear Duck, Glossy Ibis Grey and Chestnut Teal, Hard Head Magpie Geese, Swans and Cygnets, Sacred Kingfishers and Sand Spoonbills.

Located just four kilometres from the Forbes CBD on the Newell Highway, Gum Swamp is a nationally significant site for ornithology (study of birds), amateur twitch-ers and nature lovers with four, unobtrusive vantage points from which to observe over 160 bird species.

The Gum Swamp hides have had a great transformation recently, and now incorporates three new two-storey hides. The existing hide, built-in 1992 with support from Dick Smith, Australian Geographic and local community groups, was also refurbished as part of the Gum Swamp redevelopment project.

Forbes Arts Society’s Chairperson, Dr Karen Ritchie said: “The existing bird hide has been a tremendous community and tourism asset for close to 30 years, so we are delighted to see it refurbished to be utilised for decades to come.”

While Gum Swamp is commonly known as a destination for bird watchers, the redevelopment project will encourage residents and visitors to utilise the wetland sanctuary for other recreational activities.

“The landscape lends itself to a diverse range of opportunities,” said Karen. “We hope this redevelopment will attract new user groups, including photographers, artists, health and wellness enthusiasts, and those wishing to just immerse themselves in nature.”

The Gum Swamp redevelopment is part of the $7 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan Val-ley Economy Art Project’ funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

Parkes Shire Council has received $2.3 million in funding from the NSW Government to deliver 15km of upgrades to the Peak Hill – Baldry Road.

The project involves widening and over-laying existing unsealed pavement with bitumen sealing and improvements to drainage from the intersection of the Newell Highway.

“This road is currently unsealed and due to vertical and horizontal alignment deficiencies, it’s unable to be classified as a B-Double or higher rated road. By improving this road to meet the increasing freight demand, it will allow greater efficiency of vehicles to this agricultural area,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

“The upgrades will also improve sight distance and the ability for two vehicles to safely pass on the identified section of road. It is wonderful that the State Government has invested in this project. This road services both freight and passenger purposes, including a school bus service, and the proposed improvements will make it much safer for the mix of heavy vehicles and everyday passenger vehicles,” said the Mayor.

Survey design and investigative work will commence in February next year, with construction expected to commence in September 2022.

The Red Cross Tea Room in Parkes is open again every Friday after the lockdown has ended and the volunteers could not have been happier.

They have been eagerly awaiting the end of lockdown and returned with extra big smiles two weeks ago to serve hot drinks, and home made sandwiches and slices from their newly renovated kitchen.

“We have missed the company so much and hope everyone can come back,” said President Norma Oliver.

She said on busy days they would have up to 40 people coming in for morning tea or lunch at the bargain price of $7. “We hope everyone can come back to see everything is bigger, better and brighter.”

The tea room has also received a touch up with new tables and chairs and red and blue table cloths that creates a festive atmosphere. The kitchen was fully renovated and has a new urn, fridge, stove and dishwasher.

“It’s great to be back seeing the old faces,” said Val Glasheen, who is one of about eight volunteers who help out on Fridays.

Lurlene Burns and Jane Sunderland are two regular customers who who seized the opportunity to restart their regular date to meet at the tea room. “We were bored to tears sitting at home and are very happy to be back,” they said.