This project will investigate the ways in which Council can contribute to making the Shire more liveable for our community and attract more skilled workers to the region.

Help Pave The Way For A More Liveable Future In The Parkes Shire: Parkes Shire Council invites members of the Parkes community to share their ideas to deliver liveability improvements across the Shire. 

Parkes Shire Council has secured $186,562 in funding from the NSW Government under the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund to assist in developing the strategy. 

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Planning and Community Services, Brendan Hayes, is eager to engage with the community and gain as much input as possible into developing the strategy. 

“We are calling on all members of the community to participate in the survey to help us gather this essential information and work towards making the Parkes Shire a more attractive place to reside,” he said. 

For information and to access the Liveable Neighbourhoods survey, visit www.yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au. A limited number of paper copies of the survey are available at Council’s Planning and Environment building on Cecile Street, Parkes. The survey is open from Tuesday 13th June – Sunday 9th July 2023. 

EPA Requires Immediate Action By Newcrest To Comply: Newcrest Mining Ltd’s Cadia mine has been told it must comply immediately with the Protection of the Environment (Clean Air) Regulation 2022 (the Clean Air Regulation), the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, and its Environment Protection Licence (EPL) or face further regulatory action by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). 

Test results provided in response to the EPA’s previous Prevention Notice, and issued to Newcrest subsidiary, Cadia Holdings Pty Ltd, show the mine’s main vent is releasing an unacceptable level of dust. 

EPA Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel said Newcrest’s Cadia mine continues to fall well short of its legal obligations to meet clean air standards. 

“If Newcrest cannot show its subsidiary is taking immediate action to comply, the EPA will take appropriate action which could include suspension of the licence, seeking court orders or issuing further directions. 

Parenting Support – Happy Families: St Laurence’s is a member of Happy Families and this means that all parents have membership access to a website with a range of resources to support positive parenting. This is something that was raised at the recent St Laurence’s School Committee meeting and may be a jumping off point for parent education events. 

Family Mass: On Sunday 25th June we will join with the Parish to celebrate the first family mass and it would be great to see lots of St Laurence’s families attend the 9:30am mass.

the NSW Ambulance Service has replaced the old Troop Carrier ambulances with 80 new 200 Series Landcruiser ambulances.

Farmers Welcome New Off-Road Ambulances: The state’s peak agricultural body has welcomed the announcement of 80 new four-wheel-drive ambulances. NSW Farmers health spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said the specially-modified Toyota Landcruiser 200 series ambulances, announced by Health Minister Ryan Park on Tuesday, would give paramedics greater ability to reach patients in difficult terrain throughout regional and remote areas. 

“The people who grow our food and fibre and keep our regional communities moving often work in hard-to-reach places,” Mrs Thompson said. “It’s comforting to know that if something goes wrong, help will be able to get to you.” 

“This is a common sense move, replacing the old Troop Carrier ambulances with their modern equivalents.” 

According to the NSW Government, the new off-road ambulances will be used for rescue and recovery operations in difficult terrain where standard ambulances cannot go. 

National Capital Art Prize Entries Close on 30th June: The National Capital Art Prize is calling on artists to submit their entries before Friday, 30th of June 2023. The nation-wide competition has over $45,000 prize money up for grabs across three categories, including: Open Prize, First Nations Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the Sustainability Prize. 

Artists are vying for a cash prize of $15,000 in each category. A two-tiered adjudication process will see the best of the best selected as finalists for a further round of judging to decide the winners. 

Entries will close on 30th June at 7pm. Further details are available at www.nationalcapitalartprize.com.au 

Elvis: A Musical Revolution – Authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises: Penned by acclaimed international writers, Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a new bio-musical exploring the extraordinary life of award-winning cultural icon and rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Elvis Presley. 

Following an extensive nation-wide talent search with over 700 applicants, theatre and television star Rob Mallett has been selected to play the iconic role of Elvis. 

The Australian premiere will open at Sydney’s State Theatre, from 5th August, before rocking into Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from 6th October. 

By popular demand, new performance dates have just been released for both cities, allowing more audiences the chance to secure seats via Ticketmaster. 

A little less conversation and little more action – get your tickets now.