Work at Cheney Park has commenced to upgrade amenities.
Cheney Park: Work on the Cheney Park amenities refurbishment has started. Funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, the project includes a reconfiguration of the facility to include a separate control room and storage space, a new unisex disabled access toilet and compliant ambulant toilets in both male and female change rooms, fresh paint of facilities throughout, new kitchen appliances, and a new PA system.
Shop Parkes Gift Cards: In its first year of operation, the Shop Parkes Gift Card Program has become one of the most successful community gift card programs in NSW. From December 2018 to December 2019, over $200,000 was loaded onto the Shop Parkes Gift Cards with over $100,000 of that spent in local businesses throughout the year. Businesses wishing to participate in the program are encouraged to contact Council on 6861 2333 or council@parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Innovative Model Of Care: Western NSW residents will benefit from a brand new Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS) providing 24 hour virtual and face-to-face medical services across the region. Eighteen new doctors will take on roles with the VRGS, which will provide consultations via video conferencing with patients.
Western NSW Local Health District (WN- SWLHD) Rural Health Director of Medical Services, Dr Shannon Nott said the innovative model of care met community expectations for continued service delivery in rural areas. “The primary purpose of this service is to provide local support for local medical and nursing staff – it is not a replacement for our staff. It’s an innovative model of care which aims to set the standard in rural and remote virtual care across Australia and address the longstanding challenges of recruitment and retention across many rural and remote sites across NSW. The 2019- 20 budget for WNSWLHD is $979 million – an increase of $35 million. WNSWLHD will also benefit from the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion commitment to recruit a record 8,300 frontline health staff, including 5,000 additional nurses and midwives.
New Standpipe Usage Scheme: A new standpipe usage scheme started on Tuesday with no charge for water up to 25kL per week to approved farming enterprises. Any additional approved farming enterprises usage will be charged at a reduced rate of $3.50 per kilolitre. All standpipe users must reapply for standpipe access. For more information about the new Parkes Shire Standpipe Usage Scheme visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
See author Kathleen Collier at the Parkes Library on Friday, 14th February at 10:30am.