There was some good news for the Parkes Shire last week when $1 million worth of drought projects were approved for the Parkes Shire under round two of the Drought Communities Programme.

Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith welcomed the injection of funds saying: “These grants are spent around our community, which is now suffering the effects of the drought and COVID-19, and the projects will assist with our community’s resilience in these tough times,” he said.

The projects are: Employment of a Drought Response Officer; refurbishment of the new Parkes library to complete a new build project to provide suitable fittings and furniture and support a new university centre for the region; revitalise Bogan Gate township with air conditioning for the main hall and painting the arts and crafts centre; complete Cookamidgera Hall upgrades; construct new amenities at Pola Park in Tullamore to provide fit for purpose toilet/ shower facilities; provide a modular removal stage structure for the multi-purpose centre in Cooke Park to support events; upgrade changerooms at Berryman Oval in Trundle; improvements to Memorial Park in Peak Hill; install fit for purpose bollards in Cooke Park in Parkes; and the devel- opment of an Adverse Event Plan for the Shire.

The State Government will once again waive all Local Land Services (LLS) rates for this year to provide relief for farmers going through devastating bushfires and crippling drought.

Around 130,000 rates notices were sent to NSW ratepayers last month, however, as part of the NSW Government’s drought relief package, they are not payable for the period.

This includes the general rates and rates for animal health and pests, the meat industry levy and costs for routine stock moving permit and stock identification.

Rates notices will show the usual components, but amounts shown will not be payable.

You do not need to apply for this exemption as it will be automatically applied to landholders.

The NSW Government will compensate Local Land Services for the lost rates revenue, to enable staff to continue their support during these challenging times.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said during these difficult times, every little bit of support counted and that waiving LLS rates would help reduce the cost and psychological burden on hardworking farmers.

The Minister said waiving LLS rates again was just one aspect of the Government’s $3.9 billion drought assistance package, which also includes cost of living pressure relief and subsidies for the transport of fodder.

“We are committed to providing our primary producers with the best support possible to see them through the worst drought in living memory.”

To find out more about available assistance measures and eligibility criteria, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub or phone the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

On Sunday a severe thunderstorm and strong winds came through certain parts of Parkes bringing up to 38mm to some and only dust to others. It was very patchy with about 17mm falling in one part and nothing only 2km away.

Parkes Shire Council is among 128 drought-affected councils who can now apply for up to $1 million each under the Drought Communities Programme.

Minister for Drought David Littleproud said the program was to fund council projects that stimulate their local economy.

“We wanted this ready to go before Christmas and now councils can get their applications in.”

“The program delivers more business for suppliers like local hardware stores and more jobs for their communities.”

“In just over 18 months this program will have delivered $250 million to communities in drought.”

A consortium of southern NSW farmers will use a $2.5 million government grant to pioneer a new soil modelling system, which has the potential to dramatically boost on- farm sustainability and productivity.

The Temora-based Farmlink Research Ltd’s soil future-proofing project will receive funding under the second round of the $57.5 million Smart Farming Partnerships program.

“We’re excited by this project’s potential to prevent the spread of sub-soil acidification across other agricultural areas of Australia,” said Member for Riverina, and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Michael said current acid soil management practices were based on outdated models which failed to prevent the wide-spread development of subsurface acidity in many cropping and pasture systems.

“Our government is ready to help agriculture become a $100 billion industry by 2030 and we’ll do that in part through in- vesting in innovations such as these.”

“It also aligns well with National Landcare Program priorities and those of the National Soil Research and Development Strategy.”

The Minister for Agriculture, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said that with acidity and declining organic carbon levels impacting half of agricultural soils in southern and central NSW, this project could be a game changer for farmers in those areas.

For more details visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/natural-resources/landcare/national-landcare-program/australian-government-investment-in-landcare