Parkes ratepayers can now receive their rates and water notices electronically.

The eNotices is provided through SaveMail, an online portal that enables ratepayers the convenience and ease to download and view their rate and water notices at no cost.

Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM said Council was committed to simplifying processes, reducing waste and improving access to information for our local community. “Save Mail is a new, innovative way to view and download your rates notices, water notices, instalments and other information at your own convenience.” In the coming weeks, Parkes Shire residents will receive an invitation to register for SaveMail via a letter enclosed with the annual rates notice. Please note that you must register to enable access to view rates and water electronically.

“The registration process should only take a few minutes and once completed you will be able to receive your notices electronically from the next instalment notice,” said the Mayor.

“Council acknowledges that many members of our community have been affected by COVID-19 financial pressures and with that being said, Council have extended the due date for payment of the first quarter rates notices until 30th September.” Residents experiencing difficulties paying their rates or registering for SaveMail are encouraged to contact the rates team on 6861 2333 or email payment.help@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Parkes Shire Council launched an online hub called Your Say Parkes to make community engagement easier than ever before.

The hub provides a simple and secure way for the community to connect and collaborate with Council.

“Community input is integral to Council’s planning process, to ensure that our decision-making meets the community’s needs,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM.

“While we will continue to use traditional forms of engagement like workshops and face-to-face meetings, our new online hub makes it easier and more accessible for our whole community to get involved and have their say.”

The hub uses a variety of tools including surveys, forums, ideas boards, interactive mapping, quick polls and more.

Council is currently asking residents to help prioritise the community projects to be put forward for government funding under two allocations: the Australian Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program) for $1.3 million and the NSW Government Resources for Regions (R4R) Fund for $1.67 million.

This is your chance to vote for projects close to your heart. Go to www.yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au to vote. Voting closes today, 31st July 2020.

There is a big variety of projects to vote on from a Parkes Tree replacement project, CCTV for the skate park and the Peak Hill main street, to Parkes Old Hospital Site Residential Development and a splash park at Kelly Reserve.

The information gathered will be used by Council to make an informed decision on the final list of projects to be submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for consideration.

You can also register your details to be notified of upcoming opportunities to provide feedback on proposed projects and initiative

Owning a pet is a very rewarding experience, but it also comes with responsibilities.

Parkes Shire Council launched the ‘Take The Lead’ Responsible Dog Ownership campaign two years ago to proactively raise awareness about the roles and responsibilities of pet ownership including: ensuring your dog is kept safely within your property; ensuring your dog is effectively controlled in public places; ensuring you pick up after your pet; microchipping, registration and identification; vaccination, worming and desexing; using off-leash areas in Parkes; and Council’s ranger services.

In an effort to educate pet owners of their obligations and encourage them to pick up after their pets, Council installed a number of dispensers with free biodegradable waste bags at key locations throughout Parkes, including the dog park at Kelly Reserve, the off leash area at Spicer Park, and along the walking track at Lions Park and Harrison Oval.

“Our public parks, sporting grounds and recreation spaces should be there for everyone to enjoy safely,” said Parkes Shire Councillor, Cr Bill Jayet. “Dog waste carries disease-causing bacteria and parasites which can stay in the soil for years. By not picking up after your dog, you’re putting other people and animals at risk.”

He said there had been a significant improvement over the last two years, however there were still people not doing the right thing when out walking their dog.

Under the Local Government Act, it is an offence to not immediately remove and properly dispose of dog waste and can incur a penalty infringement notice of $275 where Rangers observe the offence.

It is also an offence to take your dog onto a public area under the control of Council that has signage restricting the access of dogs. This can incur a penalty infringement notice of $110 where Rangers observe the offence.

YOUR LIBRARY IS BACK!

We are looking forward to seeing you back at the library – it’s nice and warm inside so come in for a visit! Currently Parkes branch is open Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm, with Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore branches open normal hours. Check our webpage for details and temporary conditions of entry.

WHAT ARE YOUR EARS READING?

Now that we are able to hit the road and travel around NSW, you might be interested in borrowing from our extensive collection of audio books. We have something for everyone from crime and mystery, to romance and biographies, from contemporary issues to children’s books. Hands-free reading while you’re driving, cooking or just relaxing. We also have a large collection of e-books and e-audiobooks that can be downloaded.

STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH

Phosphorescence: on awe, wonder & things that sustain you when the world goes dark. By Julia Baird

Julia Baird’s search for the ‘light within’ and for what makes people shine has resulted in the perfect book for 2020 as the world seems to have been turned upside down. This beautifully written book investigates how we can find the light within each of us that will sustain us through the darkest of times. Baird shares her own personal accounts and investigations into seeking out awe and wonder in the world, paying more attention to the present and living deliberately, finding stillness and silence, being with friends, and finding the extraordinary in the everyday or ordinary. Now available in hard-back or audiobook at Parkes Shire Library.

STORYTIME ONLINE

Don’t forget Storytime on our Facebook page every Wednesday at 10:30am to see library staff reading children’s books – it’s the next best thing to actually being here in the library!

The Federal Government announced infrastructure funding for the Parkes Shire, while the Council made community grants available to six projects.

Parkes Shire Council will receive $1.3 million under the Local Road and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program to support local jobs and businesses and boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19.

The money will enable Council to deliver priority projects with a focus on local road and community infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

“Local government is at the forefront of service delivery. Our councils know their communities best and are generally able to deploy workforces quickly which keeps money flowing through their local area,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack

Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith OAM said the cash boost was “absolutely fabulous. We are delighted to receive this additional funding.”

The Mayor said there were a few road and community projects “in the wind” which could be funded through the new program.

In turn the Parkes Shire Community Financial Assistance Program (CFAP) granted $1,000 to each of the four Shire Annual Show committees to facilitate the respective 2020 Shows, with the proviso that funds be used for the 2021 Show should the COVID-19 restrictions results in a cancellation of the events.

Parkes High School received $755 to establish a Yarning Circle, and $300 was awarded to local student Elizabeth Hoyle to attend the Youth Parliament.

In addition to the six local projects, Councillors moved an amendment to donate $1,000 to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Orange. Due to COVID-19, the RMH has been unable to undertake their usual fundraising activities.

Now in its 27th year, the Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community groups to help preserve and manage locally held but nationally significant cultural heritage collections.

The program has had a significant impact on safeguarding local but nationally significant collections around the country, from inner cities to the most remote parts of Australia.

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia, said the range of community groups receiving the grants had highlighted the incredible diversity of Australia’s people and stories. “The grants help to preserve and manage these collections for future generations.”

Projects ranged from preserving indigenous languages to caring for rare meteorological equipment.

Applications close on Monday, 4th May. To submit an application or find out more information visit nla.gov.au/chg.

Three more Council facilities have received the highest safety certification globally, which is the ISO 45001:2018 standard.

Parkes Waste Facility, Parkes Animal Shelter and Peak Hill Transfer Station join the list of re-accredited Council facilities, including the Administration Office, Water Treatment Plant, Sewer Treatment Plant and Works Depot.

The ISO 45001:2018 provides a framework for organisations to help prevent workplace injuries and accidents, as well as continually improve the occupational health and safety performance of the business.

The external assessment was conducted by SAI Global late last year, as part of Council’s annual Work Health Safety Management System audit.

“ISO 45001 creates an organisation built around best practice for identifying and managing risks,” said Council’s Chief Operating Officer, Anthony McGrath.

“Not only does the standard ensure compliance with current legislation worldwide, it helps us to improve the safety of staff and visitors of these sites, reduce workplace illness and injury, as well as identify and address health and safety threats proactively rather than reactively.”

Council, in partnership with KAS Consulting, will conduct an internal audit in March and July. SAI Global will conduct the next external audit in September 2020.