Parkes Shire Council is proud to announce we have been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) Tidy Towns Awards. The Parkes Shire has been recognised in multiple award categories, highlighting our dedication to environmental sustainability, community inclusion, and water security innovation.
Finalist Categories:
• Liveable Towns Award: Galing Gindhay Water Play and Lake Endeavour Places to Swim Project
• Community Spirit and Inclusion Award: Homegrown Parkes Community Events
• Biodiversity Conservation Award: Waders and Woodlands: Parkes Wetlands
• Overall Tidy Town Award
Deputy Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Marg Applebee, celebrated the recognition and commended the efforts of everyone involved in delivering these impactful projects.
"We are incredibly proud to see Parkes Shire recognised at this level. These achievements would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of Council staff, local contractors, community volunteers, and the generous support of our partners," Cr Applebee said.
"From inclusive play spaces to wetlands conservation, each of these initiatives has been designed with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and protecting our environment."
Galing Gindhay Water Play and Lake Endeavour Project – Finalist for Liveable Towns Award This inclusive space combines water play, adventure elements, and shaded seating, making it enjoyable for all ages. The project integrates Wiradjuri cultural knowledge and highlights the local water story through design and storytelling.
Homegrown Parkes Community Events – Finalist for Community Spirit and Inclusion Award Homegrown Parkes is a free, community-driven event that brings together people of all ages to celebrate local food, art, and sustainability. With various activities and performances, it fosters community engagement and promotes sustainable living.
Waders and Woodlands: Parkes Wetlands – Finalist for Biodiversity Conservation Award Parkes Shire Council has rehabilitated 25 hectares into a thriving wetland ecosystem, supporting native flora and fauna. The wetlands serve as an essential habitat for migratory and threatened bird species and feature more than 3,000 native plants and macrophytes. This site has already attracted a range of bird species, marking significant ecological restoration and fulfilling a critical community desire for accessible green spaces.
Raw Water Storage Lagoon (RWSL) – Contributing to the Overall Tidy Town Award The RWSL is a key water security project, storing and managing water using solar energy and gravity. It ensures reliable water supply for the Shire while reducing CO2 emissions by over 900 tons annually.
The 2024 Tidy Towns Awards winners will be announced on Saturday 2 November in Bathurst. Category winners will be celebrated at The Greens on William in the morning, and the Overall 2024 Tidy Town Winner will be announced at a dinner at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club.
Parkes Shire Council is honoured to be recognised among the state's best in sustainability, community development, and environmental preservation. This acknowledgment reinforces our commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive community for all.
KAB NSW has been running the Tidy Towns program since 1981 which celebrates, recognises and rewards projects that reduce litter, minimise waste, encourage recycling, promote heritage and culture, biodiversity, and waterways protection, celebrate community spirit and many other environmental areas.
The awards are hosted by Keep Australia Beautiful NSW with support from the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Bathurst Regional Council, JR Richards and Snowy Hydro.
