NSW · Central West · Local council, made simple
Parkes Shire Council
A large rural shire in the Central West of NSW — around 14,200 people across Parkes and towns like Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate. Known for the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope ('The Dish'), the January Elvis Festival, and its role as a national freight and logistics hub on the Inland Rail. The council runs the local services you use every week — water, waste, roads, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.0%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyParkes's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Neil Westcott
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6861 2333
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~14,200 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
30 updatesAuto-collected from Parkes Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Keeping The Roads Safe During Harvest 2026
Published on 02 November 2026 Agricultural machinery owners and operators are invited to get road ready for the 2026 harvest season, by picking up a free 'Moving Harvest Machinery' USB from all agricultural machinery retailers and rural supply stores in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires areas. The USBs will also be available at the Councils' Administration Offices.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Andrew Francis To Lead Council As Acting General Manager
Published on 27 October 2026 Director Infrastructure and Sustainability Andrew Francis will take on the role of Acting General Manager from Friday, 30 October 2026, following the retirement of General Manager Kent Boyd PSM. The appointment will provide leadership and continuity while Council undertakes the recruitment process for a permanent General Manager.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Inquiry Report Adds To Opposition To Parkes Energy-from-Waste Proposal
Published on 21 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council acknowledges the release of the NSW Legislative Council Select Committee’s inquiry report into proposed energy-from-waste facilities, released on 20 October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Parkes Wins Category at NSW Tidy Towns Awards
Published on 19 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council has taken home a category award at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2026 Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards in Orange over the weekend, winning the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation category for its Parkes Urban Heat and Canopy Mapping Project.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Parkes Shire Council’s Perfect Score Wins Special Award
Published on 15 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council has received an extraordinary accolade at the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards in Sydney, with its outstanding performance earning a special award created specifically to recognise its achievement.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Funding for Local Events and Free Grants Workshop
Published on 15 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council is encouraging local community groups and event organisers to apply for funding through Round 2 of its Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP), with applications open from 19 October to 19 November 2026 for events taking place between January and July 2027.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Made By Many: New Event Brings Our Shire Together
Published on 13 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council is inviting the community to come together for Our Shire 2026, a new community showcase celebrating the people, businesses, clubs and organisations that make our Shire a great place to live.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Restraint Checks Ensures Child Safety
Published on 06 October 2026 Free child restraint checking events held in Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin by local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters, in partnership with Transport for NSW and local councils, found that 81% of child restraints inspected were incorrectly fitted.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Community invited to have their say on draft Tanks Road Masterplan
Published on 06 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council is encouraging the community to review the draft Tanks Road Masterplan and Servicing Strategy and provide feedback before the public exhibition closes on 30 October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Vandalism at Woodward Oval to Cost Community $3,500
Published on 06 October 2026 Parkes Shire Council is working closely with NSW Police following vandalism to the playing surface at Woodward Oval in Parkes on Friday afternoon, which is expected to cost around $3,500 to repair and delay the start of the cricket season at the oval.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Currajong Clients Help Create a More Inclusive Parkes
Published on 30 September 2026 A special collaboration between Parkes Shire Council and Currajong Disability Services will bring a unique local touch to the first fully compliant Changing Places facility in the Parkes CBD, with artwork created by Currajong clients to feature on the exterior of the new facility.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Double Demerits for Four Days
Published on 29 September 2026 Motorists are being reminded that double demerit points will be in place over the October long weekend with police targeting speed, seatbelts, illegal mobile phone use and motorcyclists not wearing helmets.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Funding Secured for New Parkes Pedestrian and Active Movement Plan
Published on 24 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council has secured $89,595 through the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program to develop a new strategic Parkes Pedestrian and Active Movement Plan.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
A First for Parkes: New Changing Places Facility for CBD
Published on 23 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council has secured $122,939 through the Australian Government’s Accessible Australia Tranche 2 program to deliver the first fully compliant Changing Places facility in the Parkes CBD.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Parkes Shire community gives Council services a strong report card
Published on 22 September 2026 Parkes Shire community gives Council services a strong report card Parkes Shire residents have given Council valuable feedback on the services that matter most to them, with the results of the 2026 Service Satisfaction Survey showing strong overall satisfaction across many areas.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
GM Announces Retirement After More Than 34 Years at Council
Published on 17 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council General Manager Kent Boyd PSM has announced he will not seek an extension of his current employment contract, ending more than 34 years of service with Parkes Shire Council, including 15 years as General Manager.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Successful Parkes 'Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day
Published on 11 September 2026 There were more than 20 attendees at the recent Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day held at the Parkes Racecourse.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Council Elects Mayor And Deputy Mayor For 2026-2028 Term
Published on 16 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council has elected Councillor Neil Westcott as Mayor and Councillor Joy Paddison as Deputy Mayor following a vote at Council's Ordinary Meeting on 15 September 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Free Child Restraint Checks
Published on 09 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles with free child restraint checks by Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Parkes on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Applications Open for Local Sporting Grants
Published on 02 September 2026 Parkes Shire sporting clubs, community organisations and talented local athletes are encouraged to apply for funding through the latest round of the Sporting Grants Program, co-funded by Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations and Parkes Shire Council’s Community Grants Program.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Parkes Shire Council Finalist in 2026 Fleet Of The Year Award
Published on 24 August 2026 Parkes Shire Council has been named a finalist in the Fleet of the Year category of the inaugural 2026 Fleet News Group Awards, recognising Council’s strong approach to fleet management, innovation and continuous improvement.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Marramarra Makerspace Introduces New Session Format From September
Published on 24 August 2026 The Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre is excited to announce new Makerspace opening hours and programming, designed to provide greater opportunities for community members to learn, create, and connect.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Parkes Shire artists shine at 2026 Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase
Published on 28 August 2026 Two Parkes Shire artists have taken out major awards at the 2026 Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase, highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of the local community when it comes to reusing waste materials.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Free Online Workshops for Child Car Seat Safety
Published on 03 September 2026 Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held next week to provide important safety information about child car seats.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Youth Officer Appointed To Strengthen Opportunities For Young People
Published on 04 September 2026 Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Leanne Rawlings as the Shire’s new Youth Officer, a dedicated role focused on strengthening youth engagement, wellbeing and participation across the Parkes Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Under the Sea with Playschool’s Abi Tucker These School Holidays
Published on 02 September 2026 Families are invited to dive into a fun-filled underwater adventure these school holidays, with a familiar face from Australian television bringing a free puppet show and workshop to the Parkes Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council Invites Residents To Join Australia’s Final Garage Sale Trail
Published on 17 September 2026 After 16 years of turning driveways into treasure troves, Australia’s biggest festival of secondhand stuff is throwing one final double weekend event and Parkes Shire Council is calling on local residents to make it the biggest hunt yet.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Annual kerbside bulky-waste clean-up runs across the shire
The council ran its free annual kerbside bulky-waste clean-up across Parkes Shire from 15 to 26 June 2026, for residential properties on a council waste service; tyres were not accepted.
What this means for you: Eligible households can put out bulky items on their kerb for one free scheduled collection a year; check the acceptable-items list and dates on the council's website or via the Waste Hotline 1300 725 415.
- Policy
Council formally objects to proposed Parkes energy-from-waste facility
At its ordinary meeting on 17 February 2026, Parkes Shire Council resolved to object to the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery facility (an energy-from-waste project associated with the Special Activation Precinct), following a mayoral minute from Mayor Neil Westcott.
What this means for you: The council has recorded a formal objection to the proposal; the facility is assessed by the NSW Government, not the council, so the council's position is a submission into the state planning process rather than a decision.
Source: The Land — Parkes energy-from-waste formally rejected by local council
- Development
Parkes Water Security Program progressing towards completion
The council's Water Security Program — part-funded by $11 million from the Australian Government and $26 million from the NSW Government — is upgrading and adding water supply assets, with completion expected in late 2026.
What this means for you: The program aims to secure the shire's town water supply; residents can follow progress and staged works on the council's project page.
Source: Parkes Shire Council — Parkes Water Security Program
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