Melanie Suitor, Mayor Ken Keith and Cr George Pratt at one of the new signs for grain trucks.
Grain Truck Signs: Harvest is well underway across the region with a record number of trucks transporting grain to local silos. Twenty new ‘Caution Grain Trucks’ signs have been installed across Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas to alert drivers about the extra truck movements. The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor said that the signs were the first of their kind in NSW. “The fold-down harvest truck warning signs were designed and approved by Transport for NSW. They are a pilot and based on the feedback we receive, may be rolled out in other locations next harvest.” The signs were installed on roads where grain trucks travel and near silos. The signs will be closed at the end of harvest.
Water Restrictions Back To Level 1: At its November meeting last week the Parkes Shire Council resolved to change water restrictions from Level 2 to Level 1. Due to strong rainfall since January, Council’s water supply dams are currently at 100% capacity, Wyangala Dam is at 65.2% and rising and the Lachlan River groundwater resource is at predevelopment levels. Level 1 restrictions require residents to not water during the heat of the day. The change was going to take effect from Monday, 23rd November.
Cheney Park Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation of Cheney Park is ongoing with current high salt levels being addressed. Soil specialists and drainage designers are working on solutions to mitigate future instances of the salt scalding. The proposed solution is to repair the north section of Cheney Park. The work includes the bulk removal of the current salt affected soil and re-building of the area, the installation of sub surface slit drains along the playing surface to mitigate saline build up in the soil and flush out to collection sumps and the installation of new turf on the playing surface. The work is expected to take up to six weeks. The project is funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities. Local contractors are sup- ported by Council operations crews.
Pet Minding: With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, have you thought about your pet minding options? Liz can care for your pet at your house or hers. Give her a call on 0407 861938 and she’ll work out a pet minding program with you.
The Parkes Painting Group will conclude a year of interruptions on Wednesday, 2nd December. “We have enjoyed our Wednesday meetings despite the virus hovering,” said Helen Huntley. “We just got on observing the COVID regulations without any discomfort. We all look forward to a wonderful exhibition at the Arts Revival Festival in December, and hope for a healthy and peaceful future when we resume in 2021.” Above is Kerry Davies of the Parkes Painting Group at work at a Wednesday meeting.