Over 300 residents from across the Central West region have participated in commu­nity engagement sessions, facilitated by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which were held across the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Cabonne Shires over three weeks, giving residents the opportunity to view flood risk information, hear about proposed measures to make their homes more flood resilient and talk directly with flood experts about how new flood maps were developed.

Residents were encouraged to share their feedback on the proposed approach for the Program, with many supporting measures that will help them minimise future flood damage to their property.

Support services, including Legal Aid, Red Cross, Lifeline and Catholic Care, were also on hand to help residents navigate the more complex challenges many still face.

The Central West’s Resilient Homes Pro­gram aims to build stronger, safer commu­nities with measures that help households most at risk from future floods.

Proposed measures include grants for a range of resilience measures, such as raising and retrofitting, home rebuilds and home relocations and a voluntary scheme to buy back properties in the highest flood risk zones.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said “Nothing will ever undo the damage caused by the 2022 floods, but we can make sure that we’re better prepared for future disas­ters. Community information sessions are one way we can empower residents to have a say about a program that will have a pro­found effect on their future.”

Essential Energy will commence work next week on a major maintenance program on the electricity network that supplies power to Parkes, Lake Cargelligo, and the surrounding areas.

Operations Manager Central, Andrew Hinchcliffe, said that the major works would see more than 130 tasks completed across the area over five consecutive days. “Crews will be replacing 30 power poles, 18 pole crossarms, upgrading and refurbishing 14 transformers and replacing various other network components that have reached end of life,” Andrew said.

A series of planned power outages will be necessary for the works to be completed safely, and these have been scheduled to occur daily from Monday, 1 May to Friday, 5 May 2023. Customers will receive Essential Energy’s standard outage notifications, advising the dates and times of outages affecting them.

“We are bringing in additional crews and equipment from Condobolin, Forbes, Griffith, Lake Cargelligo, Leeton and West Wyalong depots to work with our local Parkes crews to help complete this large program of works,” Andrew said.

“Significant planning has been undertaken to complete the large program of works as quickly and safely as possible, with a significant amount of work being completed in a relatively short time across the area, to reduce the overall inconvenience on affected communities.”

The scheduled works are reliant on suitable weather conditions and may be postponed if the conditions are unfavourable or any unforeseen circumstances arise.

“We appreciate that planned power outages may cause inconvenience for some customers, but they are vital to ensure a safe and reliable power network for these communities,” Andrew said.

Flood-impacted residents across the Cabonne Shire can now apply for modular homes, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government expanding its temporary accommodation program following last year’s successful caravan rollout.

Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said modular homes are now being installed. “These pods will complement the 110 caravans we already have in place, giving residents more options and more support while they continue their recovery journey.”

“It’s important people remain as close as possible to their own home and connected with their community while they undertake the difficult clean-up and rebuilding process, that’s what the modular homes will allow,” said Steph.

Flood-impacted residents in the Cabonne Shire can apply for the Pods on Private Property Program by visiting their local Recovery Assistance Point, calling Service NSW on 13 77 88 or sending an email to: housingtaskforce@resilience.nsw.gov.au.

Caravans are continuing to be provided through a partnership between the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government and accommodation provider Camplify. Flood-impacted residents who have previously received a caravan and are eligible for a modular home will be able to transition.

More information at: www.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery/temporary-housing.

Woolworths customers are encouraged to make a dry food donation to its Local Community Food Drive campaign that will help out local families in need.

The Local Community Food Drive organised by Woolworths in Forbes and Parkes will help deliver food relief to those experiencing hardship in the lead-up to Christmas. 

The initiative started on Wednesday, and Forbes and Parkes Shire customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items. A specially marked Local Community Food Drive trolley has been placed in each store, and donated items can include: breakfast cereals, pasta, rice and instant noodles, canned fish or meat, spreads (peanut butter, honey, jam); and baked beans and spaghetti. 

Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many Australians with more than half a million households struggling to meet food needs, and more than two million households having gone hungry in the last 12 months, according to the 2022 FoodBank Hunger Report. 

Within these households, the number of children affected has increased by 100,000, resulting in 1.3 million children grappling without having food on their plate. 

Woolworths stores are working closely with local food charities to ensure Forbes and Parkes Shire residents in need will receive the donated items, along with fresh food to the value of $250 in time for the upcoming festive season. 

The Food Drive is a frontline community effort to help provide a solution for hunger relief, which has been exacerbated by the rising cost of living and changes in household living arrangements. 

“We’re asking Forbes and Parkes Shire customers who are in a position to do so, to join us in donating to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive on their next grocery shop, by simply adding non-perishable items to our trolleys. By making a small donation, you will be helping the wellbeing of our local community, providing them with the essentials they need,” said the managers of the two stores. 

Customers can donate in-store until 15th November.

Parkes Shire Council received funding to run a new campaign to alert residents of the importance of using the green lid bin for food scraps.

There is a lot in the media about food waste, but do we really know why we need to recycle our food scraps?

Parkes Shire Council will be rolling out the Scrap Together Campaign to help residents understand what happens to food waste collected in the green lid bin as part of a partnership with NetWaste.

Orange City Council and Bathurst City Council are also part of a NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) grant of $40,000 that will help households become top food waste recyclers. 

Parkes Shire Councillor George Pratt said the Scrap Together campaign would not only help residents understand what happened to food waste, but also encouraged them to use the green lid bin well. 

Parkes Shire Council’s $10,000 share of the funding will help keep food and garden waste out of landfill to be processed into compost that will improve soil health. 

“It will enable Council to roll out an engaging campaign that will remind residents of the environmental benefits of recycling your food waste and how to use the service to your advantage,” said the Councillor. 

The campaign was piloted in Forbes, Clarence Valley and Kempsey local government areas last year and proved popular with residents, resulting in an average 10% increase in food waste recovered for recycling. 

Head of EPA Organics Unit, Amanda Kane said: “This funding round will enable 25 councils to deliver the Scrap Together campaign materials, which includes videos, radio adverts, mailbox drops and print advertising.” 

“The NSW Government allocated an additional $69 million over the next five years to further expand FOGO (food organics & garden organics) services and support councils to meet new requirements under the government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 to provides services to all NSW households by 2030,” she said. 

For more information visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/fogo.

Old Pine Estate is a unique 105ha property located in the beautiful shallow rush area on the western limit of Parkes NSW that is being developed into a residential area for families looking for the beauty of country living. The locally owned and established subdivision is done by Giles Land Development and will comprise six lots of 1.3ha each and 23 lots of 4ha each.

Peter Giles, Project Manager, said the development was named ‘Old Pine’ after the original farm. The development is located adjacent to Moulden Street, Cookapie Street, Back Trundle Road and Gold Rush Road.

Peter said the large blocks were targeted at the family looking for the freedom and lifestyle of country living. “The joys of watching your kids grow up, riding horses or motorbikes, enjoying the outdoors or the older couple looking for a quiet community to retire into, with the added convenience of the town centre only minutes away.”

With the current shortage of property available across the Parkes region and the Central West, Peter and Nartayliah decided it was the perfect time to release this subdivision to the public. “There is currently no other affordable 4ha or 1,3 ha lots available in the area,” said Peter. 

“We are very excited to present this affordable and desirable land to the Parkes community.” 

All the blocks will have power, sealed road access, new fencing and estate style entryways. There will be no house design or style restrictions, but the standard council regulations for the R5 Zoning code will apply. The 1.3ha lots have town water and street lighting, and all the lots can have a bore installed. 

Peter said the response had been great so far, and he and his family were also going to build and live on the estate. 

To register your expression of interest and to receive an information brochure scan the QR code in the below image. For up-to-date news, like and share their Facebook page @gileslanddevelopment.