Since their introduction in 1997, double demerit points have proven to be an effective deterrent to unsafe driving during busy holiday periods. Research has shown that casualty crashes decreased 30% when double demerit points were in operation.

Motorists across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas are being re­minded to drive safely over the King’s Birth­day long weekend as double demerit points come into force.

Double demerits will be in operation from Friday 5 June until Monday 8 June (inclu­sive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seat­belt and motorcycle helmet offences.

School zones are in operation on Friday 5 June and additional penalties can apply in school zones.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage has indicated that Police will also be targeting the ‘four Ds’ of road users includ­ing drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving. “Around 95% of crashes in NSW are the result of behaviour – like driving too fast for the conditions, falling asleep behind the wheel or being impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.

“Too often we see the tragic aftermath of drivers making poor decisions. We want everyone to make it to and from their desti­nations safely this long weekend.

“There will be more Police on the road which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing,” Sergeant Gage said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said “Drivers should ensure that they are well rested and not un­der the influence of drugs or alcohol before they get behind the wheel. While driving, focus on driving. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted, follow the road rules and drive to conditions,” Ms Suitor said.

The proposed energy-from-waste (EFW) facility, if approved would be built within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (Precinct), which is located west of Parkes.

At its April Ordinary Meeting, Parkes Shire Council endorsed the Energy from Waste (EfW) Opposition Action Plan, in principle, reaffirming its commitment to opposing the proposed EfW facility and advocating for the interests of the local community.

The adoption of the Energy from Waste Opposition Action Plan is a framework that will guide Council’s advocacy, engagement and response activities relating to the pro­posed facility.

Mayor Neil Westcott said the endorse­ment provided a clear and coordinated di­rection for Council moving forward. “This Action Plan provides a structured approach for Council’s ongoing opposition to EfW”.The endorsed Action Plan outlines a coordinated approach to advocacy, com­munication and engagement, with Council continuing to work closely with residents, neighbouring councils, industry stakehold­ers and government agencies to ensure community concerns remain at the fore­front of discussions.

In a further step to strengthen commu­nity involvement, Council also adopted the Energy from Waste Community Working Party as a new Advisory Committee at its May Council meeting.

Expressions of interest for community representatives to join the Working Party will be sought in the coming weeks.

Mayor Westcott said the establishment of the Working Party would provide an im­portant avenue for community participation and collaboration.

“The Community Working Party will play a vital role in ensuring local voices continue to inform Council’s advocacy and decisionmaking,” Mayor Westcott said.

For more information about the proposed Energy from Waste facility, visit: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Development/Projects-and-works/Energy-From-Waste-Facility

Left: Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith receives his honour of Patron from the current CMA chair, mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire. Right: Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Parkes Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee, and former Governor-General of Australia General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Ret)

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.

Pictured is Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM and Interim General Manager Stephen Dunshea.

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.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says regional communities along the corridor will be robbed of thousands of dollars worth of construction and permanent jobs and the long-term economic stimulus that investment in regional freight infrastructure generates.

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.”

Double demerit points will be in place for four days this ANZAC Day long weekend.

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.

Upper House Select Committee members pictured at the conclusion of the public forum in Parkes. Nichole Overall MLC (Chair) is pictured in the centre.

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