
Two mobile vaccination vans, dubbed Spike and Jabba, will visit some of the Western NSW Local Health District’s smallest communities in the coming weeks.
‘Spike’ and ‘Jabba’
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has expanded its COVID-19 vaccination effort by introducing two mobile vaccination vans, which will visit some of the district’s smallest communities in the coming weeks. The two vans, dubbed ‘Spike’ and ‘Jabba’ will offer first and second doses of Pfizer to anyone from the age of 12 and above. Jabba and Spike’s full schedules are being finalised and will be released on the WNSWLHD website and social media platforms. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
Flyovers
As part of a program covering more than 28,000 km of powerlines, aerial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology will capture images to update the ‘digital twin’ of Essential Energy’s powerlines and power poles in Parkes and surrounding area. The flyovers will update the organisation’s three-dimensional digital network where hundreds of power poles and powerlines were replaced following the devasting fires of 2019 and flooding to complete the digital model. A fixed wing plane will be used to gather the digital data throughout the local government areas of the Central West Region area in early November. Follow Essential Energy on Facebook and Twitter for updates on aerial patrols or visit essentialenergy.com.au/aerial for further information.
Dine and discover again
The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW says the extension of the popular ‘Dine and Discover’ program will boost the recovery of the hospitality industry as it emerges from lockdown. Premier Domi-nic Perrottet announced a further two $25 vouchers would be available to citizens from December, while businesses could apply for $5,000 grants to make their dining venue more ‘al fresco’ friendly.
Vital Funding For Regional Arts
Regional Arts NSW is thrilled with the recent announcement of $3.4 million in funding from the NSW Government for the Regional Arts Network. Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) across the state will now receive $200,000 per annum each for 2021/22. For more information about Regional Arts NSW, visit www.regionalartsnsw.com.au
Public Servants Help With Harvest
More than 4,500 staff from the Department of Regional NSW will be able to access five days’ special leave to assist farmers for an expected bumper harvest season. There is no cost to farmers getting help from departmental volunteers, as staff will be paid at their standard leave rate by the Department.

Light Steel Structures Manager Daniel Relyea has converted the old timber mill in Eugowra into a steel fabrication facility.