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
11 updatesAuto-collected from Parkes Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- 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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Parkes Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.