Today I will join members of the community at a rally to save Parkes Maternity Unit.
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Last week Western NSW Local Health District announced the temporary closure of the unit, citing a shortage of medical practitioners and rising costs as contributing factors.
Council will stand strong on this issue and we will not rest until the future of maternity services in Parkes is guaranteed. The rally will commence at 12.30pm at Parkes Hospital, on Friday, June 21.
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Local Government Conference
This week I joined local government representatives from all across the nation at the Australian Local Government Conference in Canberra. I was delighted to be invited to speak about the Parkes Elvis Festival and our region's unique tourism offerings, as well as speak on a panel, chaired by political commentator Karen Middleton, about local government and its relationship to the newly elected Federal Government.
Parkes Shire Council's motions on drought and climate change were supported by the conference. Parkes local, Geoff Anderson also highlighted the work being done in Parkes to foster the Wiradjuri language during a panel discussion.
Pink Up Your Town
Thank you to those community members who attended the Pink Up Your Town public meeting last week. The aim of the meeting was to encourage community groups, sporting clubs, businesses, schools and residents to turn their existing events and activities pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) to raise awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation.
A Pink Up Your Town Committee has been formed to help coordinate and promote all the pink activities, chaired by Caroline Rice. To find out more, or to register your pink event or activity, email Marg Applebee on cwllpo@hotmail.com.
Shop Parkes Gift Cards
I am delighted to report that more than $105,000 has been generated for local businesses through the Shop Parkes Gift Cards since the shop local program launched in December last year. Of that, over $46,000 has already been spent in-store at the 60 participating stores across Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.
The shop local program aims to stimulate economic activity and support our local business community, by encouraging people to look local first.
To find out more about the program, and to view the list of Load Up and Participating Stores, head to www.visitparkes.com.au. Business operators within the Parkes Shire who are interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact council on 6861 2333.
Hollow Augmentation Project
It was great to partner with Central West Local Land Services on the Parkes Shire Hollow Augmentation Project to provide vital habitat for our native fauna.
The project saw over 220 hollows created in grey box woodlands on TSRs and roadside reserves across the Parkes Shire. The hollows will create habitat for birds of prey and enable connectivity across the fragmented and endangered Grey Box landscape.
Main Street Revitalisation
In preparation for the Parkes Main Street Revitalisation project, council will be upgrading the water main pipeline in lower Clarinda Street to ensure delivery of optional water services in that precinct. Our crew will carry out the first stage of this work, which includes the installation of a new water valve, on Sunday, June 23, between 8am and 2pm. The second stage of the pipeline works is schedule for later in July.
Residents are invited to attend the next council meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 25 in the Council Chambers at 2pm. The agenda will made available the Friday prior to the meeting.
