Articles Archives - Page 327 of 460

Recycled Water In Pipeline For Greenspaces

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes is taking the next step in recycling with the first sod turned for Phase 2 of the Parkes Recycled Water Scheme on Monday. The ground-breaking ceremony marks the start of construction for the Recycled Water Rising Main, a purpose-built pipeline for high-quality recycled water to irrigate selected public greenspaces around Parkes.

“We are incredibly proud to be delivering such a visionary project that will strengthen our water supply and reduce demand on stressed natural water sources,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM.

“NSW is currently suffering through what has been called the worst drought in living memory, and water security is a key issue facing many communities. Parkes has the additional challenge of being remote from natural water sources. This scheme provides Parkes with an entirely new and local drought-proof water source by saving water and giving us a second use for the same water, which in turn reduces the pressure on our drinking water supplies.”

Mayor Ken Keith said that it was not only cheaper to produce recycled water, but utilising solar systems to power the network meant the new scheme significantly reduced the operational costs of maintaining parks and gardens.

The project will reduce the need to pump water 25 km from Lake Endeavour Dam, and 30 km from the Lachlan River and Lachlan Borefields, saving money and providing substantial energy savings for the Parkes community.

Construction will progress around Parkes in staged works, and will take approximately 12 months to complete.

Snippets…

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Spirituality In The Pub: Everyone is invited to the third event this year on Monday, 12th November from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm at the Commercial Hotel. Buy a drink, enjoy the talk and discussion, ask questions and stay for dinner. The two speakers for the night, local Liesel Walters and Anne Dennis from Walgett, will be talking about their life experiences under the topic: “My Spirituality – Influence on the Way”. Liesel is the Aged Care Chaplain for BaptistCare Central West Home Services and Niola Centre. She is also a lay minister in the Anglican Parish of Parkes. Anne is the current Deputy Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council. She is a proud Gamilaraay woman who has lived most of her life in Walgett. She has a strong background in education both as a teacher and administrator. A gold coin donation on entry. Spirituality in the Pub is an initiative of Catalyst for Renewal Inc.

Charity Day: Enjoy an afternoon of bowls and futsal at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club from 12pm tomorrow (Saturday, 3rd November) and help raise funds for the drought. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Great prizes to be won. Contact the Club on 6862 1446 for more details. All funds raised will go to Parkes St Vincent de Paul Society for distribution locally.

Tax Relief: Thousands of Riverina and Central West small and medium businesses will benefit from fast-tracked tax relief according to the Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack. Under legislation introduced to Parliament, 18,328 businesses in the Riverina electorate would receive a tax cut five years earlier than planned. Businesses with a turnover below $50 million will pay a tax rate of just 25% in 2021-22 rather than from 2026-27 as currently legislated. Similar timing changes will apply to the roll out of the 16% tax discount for unincorporated businesses. An independent supermarket or a pub that makes $500,000 profit, will have an additional $7,500 in 2020-21 and $12,500 in 2021-22 to invest back into the business or staff, or help to manage cash flow.

$1,000 For Best Float In Elvis Parade: Schools, businesses and community groups are encouraged to get involved in the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival. Entry Forms available online via www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au or at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre.

Mayoral Notes…

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

I was delighted to join my fellow councillors and staff to turn the first sod on construction of the Recycled Water Rising Main, a purpose-built pipeline that will transport high-quality recycled water to irrigate selected public greenspaces around Parkes. The project, funded under the National Stronger Regions Fund, provides a new water source for the town, allowing the council to maintain parks and sporting grounds all year round, while reducing the
demand on potable water.

Council will wrap up the Parkes 2030 mid-term workshops next week, with the last workshop to be held at the Cookamidgera Hall on Wednesday, 7th November from 6pm to 7:30pm. Thank you to those residents who attended the workshops and joined the conversation. For more information, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Council’s works team is currently constructing a new footpath along Hooley Street, beginning on the corner of Bogan
Street and Hartigan Avenue, finishing at the Middleton Street intersection. They’ll be working on that section up until the Christmas period, weather permitting. Residents are encouraged to be out there in the Parkes Shire this weekend. Parkes Rotary Club will host the Wiradjuri Cloaks and Headdresses exhibition at the Coventry Room in Parkes, showcasing artwork of importance to local and regional Wiradjuri people. The exhibition will be officially opened tomorrow evening at 6pm, with funds raised going towards the ‘End Trachoma by 2020’ initiative.

Tullamore will host Centre Stage Scripts’ production of ‘Carpe Diem’ – a theatre event that delivers mental health messages in a way that is entertaining, immediate and highly relevant. Doors open 7pm tomorrow, Saturday, 3rd November at Tullamore Hall. Tickets are $20 and available from Casho’s Cafe, 123tix.com.au or at the door on the
night.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor Parkes Shire

Nominations Open For Australia Day Awards

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

If you know someone making a positive difference in the Parkes Shire, it is time to nominate for the 2019 Parkes Shire Council Community, Cultural, Environmental and Sports Awards, including the Ron Harrison Sports Bursary.

An Environmental Award has been included for the first time to recognise individuals or groups who are positively contributing to the preservation or promotion of the unique environment in the Shire.

“The annual Australia Day awards are designed to publicly acknowledge and reward the fantastic work of community members and groups, and encourage others to follow their lead,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Nomination forms are available from Council, the libraries, or at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. Alternatively, you can download nomination forms from www.parkes.nsw.gov.au

Entries for the Community, Cultural and Environmental Awards close 5pm on Monday, 19th November. Entries for the Sports Awards and Ron Harrison Sports Bursary close 5pm on Monday, 3rd December 2018.

The Community Awards recognise outstanding community contribution in the three categories. The Cultural Awards recognise excellence in the performing, visual, and creative arts and crafts in three categories. The Sports Awards recognise outstanding sporting groups and individuals in eight categories including Sports Person of the Year; Junior Sportsperson of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach or Manager; Referee or Official; Senior Team or Sportsperson; Administrator and Long Service and Dedication Award.

Parkes Bridge Pairs Join Thousands Countrywide

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The bridge tables at the Parkes Leagues Club were filled with serious players on Tuesday as partners vied to win the Australia-wide Restricted Pairs.

The Pairs is one of three major annual events on the bridge calendar, bringing thousands of players from around the
country together, at their separate venues, to play the same boards of set hands.

The Parkes Club welcomed players from Condobolin and Forbes to make up eight and a half tables. The mood was lighthearted but the play was serious under the watchful eye of director Keith Fiedler.

The top ranked pairs for the Parkes contingent were Louise Payne and Denise Skinn for north-south and Beryl Twardy and Dawn Phipps for east-west. They hope to remain near the top of the field when the results came through for the rest of the country. The top five pairs nationwide will be awarded Australia-wide pens engraved with their names.

Each player was given a souvenir booklet advising the best bids and methods of play. In the game of bridge even the losers can be rewarded for specific achievements, such as bidding and making a tricky game.

By Beth Thomas

What’s On @ The Library?

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

SPECIAL GUEST – PARKES BRIDGE CLUB
7 and 14 November, 2pm – 4pm.
Have you ever wondered how to play the card game Bridge? The Parkes Bridge Club will be visiting Parkes Library to share the secrets of the game. If you would like to learn about Bridge but are unable to make these sessions the Parkes Bridge Club meets upstairs at the Parkes Leagues Club Mondays at 6pm, Tuesdays at 1pm and Thursdays at
1pm. It costs $5 a session ($40 for a year’s membership) and lessons are available. For more information visit the website www.parkes.bridge-club.org/, or call the secretary Robyn Sheridan on 6862 5451.

NEW PROGRAM – ONCE UPON A STORYTIME
Tuesday 10:30am – 11:30am. During school term.
Come and enter the wonderful world of books. Have fun hearing and reading stories together. We will have our own very special storyteller who will guide us through many adventures. Who: Children 3-5 years & parents/carers (younger children welcome).

NEW FEATURE – DIGITAL MAGAZINES
Parkes Library’s digital magazine collection has a new feature! Library members can now set their digital magazine account so that it will automatically check out new issues of magazines as soon as they are available. This allows members to always have the latest issues of their favourite magazines waiting for them to read. Borrowing from the Parkes Shire Library online collections is free. Visit your local library to join and for how-to-instructions..

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB – PARKES AND PEAK HILL
The Library Book Clubs run on a simple formula: gather people, pick a book, read it and get together to discuss!
Peak Hill Library: 6pm – 7pm, first Wednesday of the month.
Parkes Library: 3pm – 4pm, last Wednesday of the month
Parkes Library: 6pm – 7pm, last Thursday of the month

Don’t Play Renovation Roulette With Asbestos

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

November is Asbestos Awareness Month to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos as Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.

Asbestos-related diseases continue to increase as a direct result of exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations and maintenance. Many people wrongly believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos, but asbestos products can most likely be found in any Australian home built or renovated before 1987, whether it’s brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes.

It can be found under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets, dog kennels, chook yards and backyard sheds.

It’s vital that Australians take the warnings seriously, stop playing ‘renovation roulette’ and protect themselves and their families from exposure to asbestos fibres during renovations and maintenance.

If you suspect you have asbestos in your home: Dont cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… Don’t dump it! Call Central West Asbestos Removal on 0429 661 610 for all your asbestos removal needs.

Trick Or Treat ‘Army’ Grows In Parkes

November 1, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

It was time again to celebrate all things spooky and dress up in witches hats, knock on front doors smothered in fake cobwebs and be rewarded with lollies. As Halloween grows in popularity in Australia, it has also become one of the more divisive celebrations.

Many people want no part of it, and reject the October 31st celebration branding it a commercialised American tradition. Whether you like it or not, seems like Halloween has come to stay in Parkes too.

Many families in the neighbourhood around Kelly Road, Billabong Crescent and Military Road have been offering trick or treating to kids for a number of years. It was the case again on Sunday night when scary creatures were seen roaming the streets and knocking on doors where there was an orange balloon on the post box to indicate who was participating.

“We just love doing this,” said Donna and Colin Monkerud who had put in a lot of trouble decorating their home and garden. Colin clapped his hands and a bat hanging above him started flapping his wings and his eyes started flashing red. “This witch comes all the way from Germany,” said Donna pointing to the one hanging above the entrance, as kids tiptoed with wide eyes past a grave on the lawn with a hand sticking out and a sign saying “Help Me”.

By Maggi Barnard

Local Businesses And Shire Shine

October 25, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

It was literally raining awards over the Parkes Shire last week with local business super stars recognised at a gala event on Friday, while the Parkes Shire Mayor was honoured in Kiama.

More than 250 people in their best evening attire attended The Henrys gala presentation hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Parkes Services Club to support the nominees in 16 award categories.

The coveted Parkes Business of the Year award went to Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical – one of four awards the business was presented with during the ceremony. Owner Patrick Lenehan said: “We couldn’t do it without our team and dedicated customers.”

He also accepted the Excellence in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Mining, Industrial & Trade award, the Excellence in Small Business award and the Young Entrepreneur award.

The other award winners were: Station Motel – Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Services award; Betta Home Living – Excellence in Retail; Safe Tasks – Excellence in Professional Services and Excellence in Business; La Bella Medispa – Excellence in Personal and Lifestyle Services; Parkes Shire Food Service – Excellence in Social Enterprise; Ray White – Excellence in Innovation; See Solar – Start-up Superstar; Kerin Physio Co – Highly Commended Start-up Superstar; Ashley Goulthorpe, Pink Orchid Florist – Outstanding Young Employee; Tracie Robertson, Ray White Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin – Business Leader; Rebecca Miller, La Bella Medispa – Highly Commended Business Leader; The Ken Birch Memorial Trophy was awarded to long time business owner Greg Peterson.

Meanwhile in Kiama Mayor Ken Keith OAM was honoured with the Cities Power Partnership (CPP) Ambassador Award at the inaugural CPP Awards. The Mayor was recognised for his commitment to renewable energy and his enthusiastic advocacy for solar power systems.

“I am overwhelmed to have been honoured with this award. Parkes was one of the founding member councils of the CPP, and I am delighted to see that it is going from strength to strength.”

The award was presented by Californian climate champion Rex Parris, who is the Mayor of Lancaster – the world’s first zero net energy city.

The CPP, an initiative of the Climate Council, was established to help Australian towns and cities make the change to clean energy. The awards celebrate the outstanding work of local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and community advocacy. More than 100 councils from across the country have signed up to the CPP.

Since 2011, Parkes Shire Council has installed 610kW solar systems across Council assets to reduce the organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate rises in Council’s power expenses.

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

October 25, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Win $1,000 In Elvis Parade: Schools, businesses and community groups are encouraged to get involved in the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival. Sponsor of the Street Parade, Northparkes Mines, has donated a $1,000 cash prize for the best float. Bunnings Forbes is donating building materials to schools who would like to take up the challenge. Local businesses are also encouraged to take part but will have to nominate a charity/non-profit to donate the money to in order to be in the running for the cash prize. The Northparkes Mines Street Parade will be held at 10am on Saturday,
12th January 2019. Entry Forms are available online via www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au or at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre.

Competition Winner: Congratulations to Allison Falconer from Parkes on winning our Australian National Field Days competition! Thank you to everyone who entered.

Join The Mid-Term Workshops: Residents across the Parkes Shire are encouraged to learn about the major projects set to be delivered over the next two years at the upcoming Parkes 2030 mid-term workshops to review and update the priorities and aspirations set by the community. Having reached the mid-way point in the current term of council, Councillors and staff will be visiting each township to speak with the community about the projects delivered thus far, and what’s currently in the planning. The workshops started this week and the remaining ones will be held at Trundle 30th October at Memorial Hall 6pm – 7.30pm; Parkes 1st November at Coventry Room 6pm – 7.30pm; and Cookamidgera 7th November at Cookamidgera Hall 6pm – 7.30pm

Country Music News: The August featured artists Bob Gregory and Kate Daniel performed a wonderful set of Australian Ballads and instrumentals. The featured artist at the September muster was wellknown musician and vocalist Matthew Hollier from Dubbo. The Peak Hill muster is on Sunday, 4th November, while the Parkes & District Country Music Assoc. Inc annual general meeting will be held on Monday, 12th November upstairs at the Parkes Services Club 7:30pm. The next monthly muster will be on 18th November in the Starlight Lounge at the Parkes Services Club at 1pm with Barry Green as featured artist. The Christmas Charity muster will be on 15th December at 7:30pm.

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