Parkes Shire roads to be improved in harvest readiness

The Rural Roads Advisory Group (RRAG) resolved to support the harvest priority program while also redirecting the gravel re-sheeting funds to the program, along with allocating funds to address other unsealed roads post-harvest.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM said this recommendation from the RRAG was adopted with full support from the Council.

"It is imperative that we as Council prioritise funding allocations for our road network to meet the community's demands and ensure productivity while maintain the integrity of our road assets."

"With what is expected to be a bumper harvest season following this prolonged drought, it is more important than ever to provide our transporters and producers safe and efficient road corridors," said Cr Keith.

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Director of Works and Services, Ben Howard, said Council will deliver the program across extended operating hours to allow efficiencies to be maintained and to ensure the priority works are completed prior to the harvest season.

"Council's roads team has commenced work in the north-west of the Shire (near Yethra and Alagala) to ensure roads are in good condition for farmers to get grain to nearby silos.

"There will also be a team working in and around the Peak Hill area to prepare unsealed roads for harvest carting.

"Teams will then work their way towards Trundle, Bogan Gate and the Parkes area to complete priority roads that will be used for harvest," said Mr Howard.

With more wet weather predicted for the end of the week, the race is on in NSW to get some of the best crops in 10 years into the bin before they get damaged.

While the Central West mostly avoided heavy falls last weekend that came from threatening storms, more rain towards the end of the week may not be entirely welcome for grain farmers.

Many farmers in the area have not been able to have a healthy harvest over the past three years.