Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Councils are currently progressing the Implementation Stage of the Drought Resilience Plan delivered with joint funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the NSW Government.

The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program provides support to identified Local Government Areas in NSW to develop drought resilience plans that can be implemented by councils and their communities.

The Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Regional Drought Resilience Plan identified implementing canopy management and enhancement initiatives to alleviate drought and heatwave impacts as a recommended action for each Shire. This project has been approved by the Department for delivery.

Parkes Shire Council (Council) requests quotations from suitably qualified and experienced consultants to undertake Urban Heat and Vegetation Mapping for the major town centres of Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin (three (3) town centres) and use this data (and other relevant information) to develop three (3) individual Urban Cooling/Greening Strategies for Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils respectively. This project aligns with outcomes and actions identified in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Regional Drought Resilience Plan. This project is fully grant funded and has strict requirements in terms of delivery, budget and scope which are dictated by the funding body (NSW and Australian governments).

Parkes Shire Council as the lead Council will be responsible for the management of this position and will remain the primary contact.

Each Shire has one (1) main town centre to be mapped for urban heat and vegetation management (the towns of Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin).