Megan Rutherford with this image called Shearing Time was a winner in last year’s RDA Central West Photography Competition, which is now open to all ages and levels.
Central West Photography Competition: ‘There’s no place like home’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s (RDA Central West) annual photography competition. Applicants are encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown. Chair of RDA Central West, Ruth Fagan, said: “We’ve all spent a lot of time at home due to COVID-19 but I think it has led to a deeper appreciation for the Central West. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and celebrating our region!” Entry is free and open to all ages and photographic abilities. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 24th September. More information available at www.rdacentralwest.org.au. Any questions call 6369 1600 or email admin@rdacentralwest.org.au
Platypus Returns: After an absence of over half a century, the iconic platypus is set to make its return to The Royal National Park just south of Sydney. The platypus is seen nowhere else on the planet, and like so many other native species, its future is uncertain. A partnership between UNSW, the World Wild Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF), Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will ensure the platypus’ future. There have been no recorded sightings of platypus in the park since the 1970s. This project will translocate an initial group of 10 platypus, a mixture of males and females, in the first half of 2022. Fitted with acoustic tags researchers will be able to track their progress and breeding for up to two years.
Road Trains Through Parkes: Road train operators can now access the entire length of the Newell Highway, including through Parkes. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said providing end-to-end access for all eligible vehicles up to 36.5m long and Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 3 vehicles on the Newell was a huge win for the freight industry. Gazetted access will now be available to all eligible vehicles along more than 1,000 kilometres of highway. “Parkes was the last section of the Newell where road trains were restricted, but the trials we did with road trains to move fodder through drought and last year’s harvest has guided this change. These higher productivity vehicles are able to move as much as 63% more freight per trip than a 26m B-Double heavy vehicle, which means less trucks on our roads, greater efficiency and reduced costs.”
Spring started off with some very heavy rain last weekend in Parkes, while flood warnings were issued for several places in the region.