While times are trying with the drought and downturn in the agricultural and retail sectors, the Parkes economy has been given some reprieve thanks to government and private sector investment.
Parkes is experiencing unprecedented investment by State, Federal and Local Government injecting millions of dollars into infrastructure projects such as Inland Rail, the proposed Parkes Special Activation Precinct, the Newell Highway Bypass, the Parkes Main Street Revitalisation, Cooke Park Multipurpose Centre, Parkes Library upgrade and Central West Family Daycare expansion.
This investment wave has given the private sector confidence with Pacific National investing in a $35 million Parkes Terminal Development and the recent approval of a $23 million advanced food manufacturing facility.
In addition to investment in the Parkes National Logistics Hub, further projects over the next 12 months include a new solar farm, the $200 million expansion of Northparkes Mines and progression of Clean TeQ’s $2 billion Sunrise Mine project.
Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd PSM said a total of 165 development consents were issued by Council in the 2018-19 year at a value of $66 million, an increase of 176% based on the previous year.
“It has been a long-term vision of the Parkes Shire community to develop Parkes as a national logistics hub and inland port. The Special Activation Precinct will provide a step change towards this vision,” Kent said.