Articles Archives - Page 6 of 436

Locals March With Farmers In Parkes To Say “NO WASTE INCINERATOR”

March 5, 2026 By Roxane Manley

NSW Farmers say plans to pollute rural and regional communities with Sydney’s rubbish should be immediately rejected.

The proposed Parkes Incinerator would burn 700,000 tonnes of Sydney’s red-bin rubbish each year if approved, and NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said it was totally unacceptable to force any regional community to be the dumping ground for Sydney waste if they did not agree.

The Parkes region contributes significantly to NSW’s wheat, barley, oats, canola and pulse crops. Its mixed farming systems also support substantial sheep grazing for wool and meat.

The significant number of heavy vehicles on council roads, or more freight movements on rural rail infrastructure already in need of major upgrades will decimate our regions and agriculture’s economic return to the state budget.

Mrs Reardon spoke at the Parkes Farmers & Community March and said the people of Parkes felt they were being forced to become Sydney’s dumping ground.

“When these projects were proposed for Western Sydney, there was a chorus line of Labor MPs very vocal in their opposition,” Mrs Reardon said.

“Why should rural communities be forced to host projects that are considered unacceptable for urban centres, particularly when these same regions produce a lot of the state’s food and fibre?” “There’s also significant concerns for public health, and the impact on the food and fibre grown in these communities.

These projects should be immediately ruled out without question.”

Phil Donato MP marched alongside local farmers and said “It’s critically important that people power unites in Parkes to oppose this project because the Government will take that into account.”

“We really need to continue and persist with that pressure to push back on this proposal and send a message loud and clear to the state government that Parkes does not want this facility in their community.”

Parkes Farmers March Against The Incinerator

February 26, 2026 By Roxane Manley

A march this Saturday is being organised by local farmers and members of the Parkes community who are concerned about the long-term future of our agricultural region if a proposed Energy from Waste facility goes ahead in Parkes.

Parkes farmer Sharon Woods “This land is more than just a business, it is our home, our history, and our children’s future. Our livelihoods, like those of so many farming families across this district, depend entirely on the health of our soil, our water, our market access and our community. This march is about protecting the integrity, productivity and future of our region.”

Mayor Neil Westcott said, “As the Mayor of Parkes Shire and as a farmer in our Shire, I fully support the march taking place this Saturday. There is no doubt about the anxiety this issue has caused among our rural constituents. The weekend will be a strong display of solidarity across all levels of government, sending a clear message that Parkes is not the place for an Energy from Waste facility.”

Phil Donato MP has also thrown his support behind the march, saying: “The Parkes community don’t want this facility in their backyard. If it’s not good enough to go in Sydney, then it’s not good enough to be forced onto Parkes and other regional communities. Sydney should be responsible for managing its own waste.”

Meet at the Sir Henry Parkes Statue this Saturday 28 February at 9.30am to join the march to Cooke Park. Speakers on the day will include Sharon Woods – Local Farmer, Philip Donato MP, Rebecca Reardon – NSW Farmers and Cr Joy Paddison.

Snippets…

February 26, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Chat with your local SES Unit to find out how you can help.

NSW SES Forbes Unit: Forbes SES members recently took part in a ‘Drive Operational Vehicles’ course. If you are looking for a way to make a real difference in 2026, why not join the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and become part of a team that helps communities when they need it most. If you have ever thought about joining the NSW SES go to www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/unit-volunteer

Parkes Shire Council: Contamination has a cost. When incorrect items are placed in recycling bins, they can disrupt the recycling process and lead to higher costs and more waste going to landfill. Recycling right helps protect our environment and make the most of our resources.

National Driver Fatigue Week: This week is National Driver Fatigue Week. Did you know that driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as drink driving? In fact, being awake for 17 hours has a similar effect on driving performance as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. Identify the signs of fatigue early, like yawning and sore/tired eyes, and avoid driving tired.

R U OK? Skipping training, getting injured often or being less themselves – are all signs a teammate could be struggling. Register for the free Hey Sport, R U OK?resources to help teammates look out for one another and have life-changing conversations: ruok.org.au/sport

Service NSW Business Bureau: Big rule changes are coming in 2026 – and your small businesses may be affected. From trade businesses to cafes, childcare and the real estate industry, new rules may change how you operate and compete.Check out what’s coming and how to get ready. https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/news-podcasts/news/what-nsw-small-businesses-need-to-know-new-laws-new-rules-new-opportunities-in-2026

Forbes Shire Council IWD Event: To the trailblazers, change‑makers, quiet achievers, loud dreamers and every incredible woman in between. Grab your gals and guys (all welcome) for an inspiring morning on Friday 6 March, from 6.30am to celebrate International Women’s Day. Get your tickets at www.123tix.com.au/events/50699/forbes-international-womens-day-breakfast

SW SES Parkes Unit: The Parkes SES Unit are looking for volunteers aged 16+ for a variety of roles, including: flood rescue, storm response, administration and support roles, community engagement and more. Are you ready to step up? Apply now at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer

The Parkes Unit’s rescue truck, along with amazing volunteers Matt, Gail and Mick.

Bald Archy Exhibition Comes To Parkes

February 26, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council is delighted to bring The Best of the Bald Archy Prize exhibition to the local community for free, offering a unique opportunity to experience Australia’s most loved satirical portrait award.

The exhibition opened 28 February and will continue to 18 April 2026, with free entry at the Coventry Room at Parkes Library and Cultural Centre.

The Best of the Bald Archy Prize celebrates Australia’s most popular and internationally recognised satirical portrait award, The Bald Archy Prize. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to enjoy art with a cheeky twist and is widely regarded as Australia’s premier satirical art prize.

Cultural, Education & Library Services Manager, Kerryn Jones, said: “The Best of the Bald Archy Prize is a wonderful example of how art can be engaging, humorous and accessible for everyone. This exhibition invites people of all ages to enjoy portraiture in a completely different way. We’re thrilled to be able to share such a popular and entertaining exhibition with our community.”

Celebrating the lighter side of art and the unmistakable Australian sense of humour, these works are guaranteed to make visitors think, talk – and most of all, laugh.

Celebrate International Women’s Day With Parkes Que Club

February 26, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Que Club Inc is proud to announce the inclusion of Leah van der Merwe to the program for their IWD Luncheon on Sunday 8 March. In 2025, Red Bend student Leah van der Merwe, was selected from over 2,500 applicants across 120 countries to attend the CERN-Solvay Student Camp in Geneva, Switzerland, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Leah was the only Australian student chosen for this prestigious international science camp, where she joined other bright young scientists from around the world to learn about particle physics and cutting-edge research.

Leah said she believes “Nothing is impossible unless you let it be.”

The club were also excited to receive a grant from Parkes Shire Council Community Events Funding program. “This grant will be a great boost helping us to fund the IWD Luncheon, in particular paying for the guest speakers, and the senior representatives from the three high schools,” said Lynn Rodgers of the Parkes Cue Club.

A free glass of bubbly or orange juice is available on arrival, so book your tickets early to ensure to secure your place.

Tickets are $45 each and are available at www.123tix.com.au/events. Please note that tickets will not be available after Monday, 2 March.

Celebrating Seniors With Live Life In Colour Events

February 26, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Throwback to the 2019 NSW Seniors Festival in Parkes. Seventeen seniors from Trundle, Tullamore and Parkes attended the first activity of the festival at the Uniting Church Hall when Monica Lea introduced them to yoga.

Parkes Shire Council is delighted to announce a vibrant and inclusive line-up of grant funded activities to celebrate NSW Seniors Festival 2026, running from Monday, 2 March to Sunday, 15 March 2026.

The Seniors’ Festival is an annual statewide celebration that honours the contributions of older residents and provides opportunities for connection, learning, wellbeing and fun.

This year’s theme, “Live Life in Colour”, encourages seniors to celebrate their life journey, embrace creativity, form new connections and enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

The Live Life in Colour Seniors Expo will bring together service providers, community groups, volunteers and senior support services, alongside engaging guest speakers.

Events include a red-carpet screening of Sunstruck – a special screening of the 1972 film filmed in the Parkes region, with original cast members joining for a Q&A session.

There will also be a range of library and wellbeing activities – from digital literacy and guided tours of the The Best of the Bald Archy Prize exhibition with morning tea, to portraiture and sewing bee workshops, wellness sessions and a live-stream of the Premier’s Gala Concert at the Little Theatre.

The Living Library event will provide a unique opportunity for residents to share their lived experiences as “books” to be “borrowed,” building empathy, understanding and connection across generations.

Activities in the townships will include aqua aerobics, intergenerational rhyme time and a digital technology drop-in session.

Councillor Bill Jayet said “the festival reflects Council’s commitment to celebrating and supporting older residents.”

Council invites all local seniors, carers and community members to join in the celebrations throughout the two-week festival.

With something for everyone, the program promotes social connection, lifelong learning, healthy living and creative engagement.

Full program at: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-media-and-projects/Community-News/2026-NSW-Seniors-Festival-in-the-Parkes-Shire

Local Advocate Drives National Road Safety Change During National Driver Fatigue Week

February 19, 2026 By Roxane Manley

National Driver Fatigue Week (21–27 February) is shining a spotlight on one of the most dangerous and underestimated risks on Australian roads — driver fatigue — led by a local woman whose lived experience has grown into an award-winning national road safety campaign.

Parkes advocate Andrea Helen Hamilton-Vaughan has turned personal tragedy into action, creating the Power Nap fatigue prevention campaign now gaining national recognition across the heavy vehicle and road safety sectors.

Driver fatigue is a factor in more than 20 per cent of Australia’s road fatalities, yet for decades drivers have been told to simply “get a good night’s sleep” or “take regular breaks” — advice that does little to help when fatigue strikes while already behind the wheel.

“The science is clear,” Ms HamiltonVaughan said. “Fatigue is not solved by willpower. The only solution for fatigue is sleep. A short, planned power nap when fatigue first appears can save lives.”

National Driver Fatigue Week promotes the Power Nap message — encouraging drivers to stop and take a 15–20 minute nap at the earliest signs of fatigue.

Research shows this simple intervention restores alertness, improves reaction time and significantly reduces crash risk, with modelling suggesting fatigue-related fatalities could be reduced by up to 20 per cent if widely adopted.

What began as a grassroots campaign has grown into a nationally recognised safety initiative, earning multiple industry awards.

Snippets…

February 19, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The Forbes Men’s Shed is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am to 12pm at 14 Union St, Forbes.

Forbes Men’s Shed: Looking for good company, a laugh, and something to do? The Forbes Men’s Shed is a place to connect, share skills, and have fun. Meet new mates and catch up over a cuppa. Work on hands-on projects — big or small. Learn, teach, or just chat. Open to all men whether retired, working, or looking for something new. Come along, get involved, and enjoy the company.

Parkes Shire Council NSW Seniors Festival Program: Explore our full line-up of free events including expos, films, art, wellbeing, workshops, performances and more across Parkes and Shire townships. For full program and to register for events at: bit.ly/SeniorsFestival2870. For more information, event registrations, or assistance, call the Parkes Shire Library on 6861 2309.

Forbes Medical Centre Bulk Billing: If you have a Medicare card, you will be bulk billed 100% of the time for eligible services at Forbes Medical Centre. With daily appointments available with both male and female GPs, phone the team on 6851 1300 to make an appointment or book online via Hotdoc. Forbes Medical Centre, caring for our community.

Central West Lachlan Landcare: Central West Lachlan Landcare are supporting the Peak Hill HEART (Healthy Eating, Activity & Resilience Together) Project as part of the Building Healthy Communities Challenge. This project will run until the end of April, but will have ongoing benefits to the community of Peak Hill. Join the Peak Hill HEART page to follow what is happening and find out more about the project at centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/projects-3/peak-hill-building-healthy-communities-challenge/

Forbes Youth Action Team Youth Drop‑in Sessions: Looking for a relaxed space to hang out, study or unwind after school? Head to Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC) Every Wednesday during the school term from 4pm – 6pm for ages 12 – 18. These free drop-in sessions offer quiet study areas, recreational activities and a safe, youth‑friendly space. No bookings required – just drop in! For information, visit www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/youth-drop-in

Parkes Men’s Shed: Parkes Mens Shed is a non profit shed designed for men to socialise and Do Projects for themselves or community. Come for a chat and a cup of coffee or be involved in some projects for the shed. Enjoy fellowship with other men in a friendly environment.

The Parkes Men’s Shed is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8.30am to 12pm at the Parkes Showground

Patchy Mobile Services An Ongoing Concern

February 19, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Fed up farmers and families facing poor regional, rural and remote mobile services are being encouraged to keep complaining.

The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) revealed an increase in complaints in NSW, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas.

Sarah Thompson from the NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee said the stats reflected what farmers were saying.

“A lot of people are fairly fed up with complaining about this long-running issue, and it’s clear enough isn’t being done to fix the problem,” Mrs Thompson said.

“We’re encouraging people who aren’t satisfied with their service or the resolutions from their providers to go to the TIO to try and get a better outcome and make sure the issues are reported on.”

Small businesses complaints about internet services increased 16.1 per cent to 483 complaints, with increases noted for slow data speed, up 17.6 per cent to 234 complaints, and no phone or internet service, up 17 per cent to 476 complaints.

“We need to keep being the proverbial squeaky wheel and keep complaining, but do it in a way that matters, and that’s to the TIO.”

Council Unanimously Opposes EFW Proposal

February 19, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council has unanimously supported a motion by Mayor Neil Westcott to formally object to the proposed Energyfrom-Waste (EfW) facility within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

“This means that Parkes Council, in totality, is against the EfW project, we are opposed to it, we will not be supporting it. We are not the determining body, but whatever influence we can bring to bear it will be in the form of absolute rejection,” Mayor Neil Westcott said.

Mayor Westcott said the decision reflects the strong community sentiment. Critically, Council’s objection will require the NSW Government to refer the planning assessment to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC).“Our first duty is to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, the integrity of our environment, and the reputation of our agricultural sector. When government provides no credible information to demonstrate safety, the community can only conclude that these risks may exist, and that is a failure of leadership,” the Mayor said.

The motion was amended during the meeting and passed unanimously. Each Councillor present had the opportunity to speak about the project during the consideration of the motion. Watch in full on Council’s website https://parkes.infocouncil.biz/

State Member Phil Donato has previously issued a statement on the proposal; “I will not be supporting this project, and I will continue to stand with the people of Parkes to ensure their voices are heard by the government.”

Council’s resolution will be communicated to the NSW Premier, the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the NSW Minister for Environment, the Independent Planning Commission, the Local Member and the Parliamentary Inquiry into Energyfrom-Waste Facilities.

Chair of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Energy-from-Waste facilities Nichole Overall MLC confirmed subsequent public hearings will be held in Parkes and Goulburn in April and May 2026.

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