The National Coordinator-General for Drought and the North Queensland Flood Shane Stone visited Parkes last month as part of a trip around Central NSW.
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Mr Stone was accompanied by staff from the National Drought and Flood Agency, including Regional Recovery Officer for Central NSW, Tammy Greer, to inspect the local impacts of the drought.
The group joined Mayor Ken Keith OAM, Councillor Neil Westcott, General Manager Kent Boyd and Drought Response Officer Roger Kitson at the Parkes Shire Council Chambers, where Mr Kitson took everyone through a detailed presentation about the impacts of drought on the Parkes Shire.
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Mr Stone and the team also heard about several projects across the shire that had been funded through the $1 million federal government funding Parkes Shire Council and 59 other councils received under the Drought Communities Program towards the end of 2018.
The visitors were also particularly impressed when they learnt of and saw a YouTube video that Mr Kitson and council staff had made, demonstrating how the money had been spent.
"Putting it all together in this video is a great way to show how a bit of money on local halls, standpipes and amenities blocks can lift a whole community and negate some of the impacts of drought," Mr Stone said.
"Parkes Shire Council has ensured the money was spread around the shire, and by using local labour and materials the whole community has benefited."
Agency Regional Recovery Officer Tammy Greer used the meeting to outline her role, including how she will work with the council.
"I'll be working alongside Roger to ensure that farmers and others impacted by drought in the Parkes Shire have access to the support they need," she said.
Ms Greer is looking forward to spending more time in the region.
Parkes Shire residents can contact her on 0428 663 466 or email RROCentralNSW@pmc.gov.au.
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