Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM has been formally recognised as the inau­gural Patron of the Country Mayors Asso­ciation of NSW (CMA) during a reception atNSW Parliament House this week.

Hosted by President of the NSW Legisla­tive Council the Hon Ben Franklin, the eventbrought together country mayors and gen­eral managers from across regional NSW todiscuss the challenges and priorities facing rural and remote communities.

Mr Keith served as Chairman of the Coun­try Mayors Association of NSW from 2020 to2022 and was later appointed the asso­ciation’s first Immediate Past Chairman in 2022.

Mr Keith served as Mayor of Parkes Shire Council for 17 years, from July 2008 until September 2023, after previously serving 17 years as Deputy Mayor following his election to Council in 1983.

Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said “Ken Keith has dedicated decades of ser­vice to not only the Parkes Shire community, but also to regional and rural communities right across New South Wales.”

“This recognition as the inaugural Patron of the Country Mayors Association is a fitting acknowledgement of his tireless advocacy, strong leadership and unwavering commit­ment to ensure country communities have a strong voice at the state and national level.

“Ken has always championed the issues that matter most to regional communi­ties – from roads, infrastructure and hous­ing to health services, workforce shortages and disaster recovery. His leadership has helped shape important conversations and outcomes for councils across regional NSW,” Mayor Westcott said.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils will be getting behind National Road Safety Week 2026 from 17 to 24 May.

During the week, road users are encour­aged to take the pledge to Drive So Oth­ers Survive – including not being distracted while driving, not speeding and to never drive under the influence of drugs or alco­hol.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says the Councils’ have been supporting the initiative since 2017.

“During National Road Safety Week 2026, yellow ribbons will be displayed all across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely.

“The trauma caused by road crashes echoes through our community and is felt by so many – family and friends, work col­leagues, community groups, emergency service workers and local communities.

“Our fleet vehicles and staff will proudly display yellow ribbons, and you are en­couraged to pick up a vehicle sticker and/or lapel ribbon for free from our administration offices in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo,” Ms Suitor said.

Forbes Town Hall will be lit yellow for the week along with the monument on Memo­rial Hill and the Sir Henry Parkes statue in Parkes.

Lachlan Children Services and Central West Family Day Care will be focusing on road safety during the week too.

You can sign the pledge to Drive So Oth­ers Survive online at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au.

On Wednesday Transport Minister Cathe­rine King announced the Inland Rail project would stop at Parkes, seemingly unaware of already-constructed sections to Narromine, and between Narromine and North Star.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaf­fey says. “This decision is a huge betrayal of regional Australia. It throws away the $3.5 billion already spent on this critical project which is approximately 17% complete.”

Conservative estimates put the pre-con­struction sunk cost north of Parkes alone at $500 million to $1 billion.

“More than 160km of upgraded track be­tween Narrabri and North Star – which has been completed and operational since 2023 – is now a spur to nowhere, disconnected at both ends and generating no commercial value.

“Now 200,000 truck movements each year are locked onto regional roads, and we are looking at no significant further capacity to grow our country’s productivity. In 2011, Albanese called this project ‘central’ to lifting Australia’s productivity. Now, he is abandon­ing it and abandoning regional Australia.”

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says “Governments can’t ask rural and re­gional communities to carry the burden of disruptive construction, then just change di­rection without accountability.

“If Inland Rail is being ‘refocused’, then fairness for landholders, clarity for affected businesses, and genuine freight capacity upgrades must be the non negotiables.

“Certainty matters, and if the funding is stopping at Parkes then the government must be upfront about what happens next, because real people and real businesses have already paid a price.”

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging people to drive safely and take care on the roads.

“Double demerit points will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences between Friday 24 April and Monday 27 April 2026 inclusive.

“This will be a busy period on local roads.

The increase in traffic leads to an increased risk of crashes occurring. We all have a part to play in keeping the roads safe.

“Watch your speed, drive to conditions, limit distractions in the car, ensure you and your passengers are wearing their seatbelt and don’t drive if you have been drinking or consuming drugs.

“Pay attention to your fatigue levels, plan your trip and if you are experiencing any of the early warning signs (tired eyes, yawn­ing, poor concentration) stop and have a break,” Ms Suitor said.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage is reminding drivers that there will be extra Police in the area over the four days.

“Police will be focusing on the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phones and seatbelts.

“People may think that a crash is never going to happen to them – but the statistics tell a different story. Driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do every day.

“Please take care on the roads, we want everyone to make it home safely,” Sergeant Gage said.

The Upper House Select Committee on Proposed Energy from Waste Facilities vis­ited Parkes on Tuesday, 14 April for a hear­ing and a public forum. Through this inquiry the committee is examining the potential impacts of the proposed facility in Parkes (and Tarago).During this week’s hearing, the committee heard evidence from stakeholders and dur­ing the afternoon’s public forum, the com­mittee heard directly from members of the community.

Chair of the Committee Nichole Overall MLC said, “It’s incredibly important to be here with the community to hear from them directly. Receiving submissions as part of the inquiry process is one thing, but having that direct engagement, and the commu­nity having the opportunity to present their points of view, their questions, their con­cerns, is really powerful from the perspec­tive of the inquiry.”

“I know the emotion around this issue, which is why we, the NSW Nationals called for the inquiry, we understand how impor­tant it is and it’s far better to be here, and present and listening, so that we can take that message back to Macquarie Street in Sydney and ensure that our regional voices are truly being heard.”

Local Parkes farmer Sarah Townsend, who attended the public forum had this message for the decision makers, “If it is so safe, just keep it in Sydney. Why waste the money sending it here.”

Find out more at https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/listofcommittees/Pages/committee-details.aspx?pk=337 The full hearing recording is available at: www.youtube.com/@NSWParliamentOfficial

Double demerit points will apply on NSW roads until Monday 6 April 2026 as Police encourage road users to look out for each other over the Easter break.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage has indicated that Police in the area will also be targeting other high-risk behav­iour including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.

“We are expecting roads to be busy with people travelling across NSW for the long weekend. Our message is to be patient, obey the road rules and drive to conditions.

We want everyone to reach their destination safely and to enjoy the Easter break withouttragedy.

“I ask all drivers to play their part in re­ducing crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks, limit distractions in the car, don’t mix alcohol or drugs with driving and ensure you and all your passengers are wearing seatbelts,” Sergeant Gage said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that Police enforcement figures show that double de­merit point periods do deter motorists from speeding and illegally using their mobile phone, while reminding them to wear their seatbelt/helmet.

“Drivers are reminded that mobile phone detection cameras will be active over the Easter break to catch people illegally using their phone whilst driving. Drivers will ac­crue 10 demerit points for all licence classes during the double demerit long weekend as well as receive a fine,” Ms Suitor said.

Thousands of dancers are expected to descend on Trundle this May as the 2026 Trundle ABBA Festival attempts to turn the town’s famous main street into one giant disco dancefloor.

As part of the festivities on 2 May, organ­isers are inviting festival-goers of all ages and abilities to take part in a World Record Dance Competition, performing choreo­graphed moves to the chorus of Dancing Queen and Waterloo.

You don’t need to be a professional dancer, “If you can clap, sway or smile, you’re in,” organisers say.

An official choreography video has been released on the Festival facebook page, featuring simple, easy-to-follow moves de­signed so everyone can participate. Fes­tivalgoers are encouraged to practise at home with family and friends before gath­ering on the widest main street in NSW for what promises to be a glittering, unforget­table moment.

The festival will also feature International tribute act ABBASBACK®, Central West bands Handpicked, Dirty Dark Horses and Easy Goin’, A live singing final – top 3 final­ists perform live on the main stage, ABBAthemed vow renewals, A fashion parade with prizes for best dressedFood vendors, drinks and family-friendly fun.

Dedicated shuttle buses will operate from Parkes (Cooke Park) and Forbes (Harold Street, Victoria Park opposite Forbes Town Hall). Shuttle tickets are return fares, $30 per person.

Organisers encourage festival lovers to make their arrangements early and pre­pare to sparkle. Tickets and bus book­ings are available online now. https://trundleabbafestival.123tix.com.au/events

The Homegrown Parkes event in Cooke Park this Saturday, 21 March will feature two inspiring workshops in the Pavilion along with fabulous performances through­out the day.

Head along and meet local chef Monica Eric from Eric’s Table as she shares her love of Indian Cuisine. Her workshop will run in the Cooke Park Pavilion between 10.30am and 11.30am. Register at www.stickytickets.com.au/8SABFZThen Mark and Anne from Parkes Brew­house will be bringing things down a notch to teach us the basics of home brewing.

Their workshop will run between 12pm and 1pm in the Cooke Park Pavilion. Register at: www.stickytickets.com.au/8SABFZWhen you register for either of the work­shops, you will go into the running for some fantastic giveaways.

The musical line-up for the day will be kicking off with the Parkes Shire Concert Band at 9.10am in the Park followed by the Parkes School of Dance at 10am on the Pavilion main stage.

The Guwal Dance Group from Parkes High School will be joining the Homegrown fun for the first time at 11.30am, so please make them feel welcome.

Talented local singer, Cameron Sharp will be performing twice throughout the day on the Park stage, between 10.30am – 11.30am and 12pm and 1pm.

Rounding out the entertainment on the main stage, Parkes Music and Dramatic Society will be performing songs from Sis­ter Act the musical from 1pm.