Parkes Phoenix Editor

Rural landfills in the Forbes Shire will soon have changed operating hours or will be closed to provide a sustainable future in dealing with waste compliance and environmental enhancement.

Bedgerabong and Garema landfills will be open limited hours and staffed while open, Ootha will be controlled via an agreed access system with residents and Wirrinya and Warroo landfills will be mothballed.

These changes will come into effect from Monday, 6th November 2017.

“Rural tips across the Forbes Shire are closing or altering their mode of operation and this is to encourage recycling, improve waste disposal, increase the life of existing landfills and to comply with legislation,” Forbes Shire Council’s Acting General Manager Max Kershaw said.

“Council has weighed the views of residents against the potential consequences of unrestricted and uncontrolled access to the Shire’s landfills. We understand that not all residents will welcome this decision but we cannot continue to expose ratepayers to the level of risk that the status quo entails,” Max said.

The NSW Environmental Protection Agency tightened its Solid Waste Guidelines in 2016 and has cracked down on asbestos, tyres and other problem waste materials. In the last few years a number of infringement notices have been issued to regional Councils and more compliance officers employed. Fines for non-compliance can run as high as $1,000,000 per day.

“As well as being compliant with the Solid Waste Guidelines, we also don’t want to see our villages become a dumping ground for asbestos, tyres and chemicals,” Max said.

“Uncontrolled and unregulated access to tips leaves Forbes Shire Council and the broader community in an extremely vulnerable position and we have to take these measures to safeguard residents.

“This is not about restricting waste disposal; it is about better management of our waste facilities and safeguarding the local environment.”

 

 

 

Car lover Sharon Rosser from Orange was the winner of the Best Engine Bay award with her 1978 Ford Escort at the Forbes Motorshow on Sunday.

Sharon has had the car since she was 16 years old and has been building it with her father and mother’s support for 8 years now. “We go to local shows and like doing charities. The main shows we’ve been to is Summernats, where we’ve been a two time winner back to back,” said Sharon.

Consultants Group GSA and AP Sheere were set to start work on the Forbes CBD master plan this week.

The consultants were selected by Forbes Shire Council’s CBD Working Group after 13 responses to the request for quotation were received.

Group GSA and AP Sheere have 32 years of project management experience, specialist expertise and experience in CBD master planning which includes Riverstone Town Centre, Georges River Precinct, Ramsgate Village Centre, Strathfield Square and Ramsgate Beach Town Centre.

The Forbes CBD master plan is expected to take about six months to complete and will include community consultation on 1st and 2nd November.

The community consultation will include workshops and a community walk through the CBD.

Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller said the CBD master plan would provide a long-term vision of how the town centre will look and function in the future.

“We are pleased to have consultants Group GSA and AP Sheere to work on the plan,” Graeme said.

“The plan will have a 10 to 15 year timeframe and will include economic and tourism opportunities and an urban design and revitalisation strategy including landscape improvements.”

Forbes Business Chamber Vice President Marg Duggan said the Chamber was extremely pleased the Forbes CBD master plan was being created.

“The beautification of the CBD and having a long term plan in place will be beneficial for Forbes businesses and the community,” Marg said.

“The Forbes Business Chamber is really enthusiastic to be one of the major stakeholders involved in the process of the master plan.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is reminding Mid Lachlan Valley Team (Parkes, Lachlan, Weddin and Forbes LGA) residents that fire permits are required during the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period.

NSW RFS District Manager Superintendent Ken Neville said hotter and drier conditions mean fires are more likely to start and spread quickly during the Bush Fire Danger Period, which officially began on 1st October.

“From now until the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period, people wishing to light a fire in the open will require a permit, which are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or Fire Control Centre,” Ken said.

“When conditions are particularly bad, such as on days of Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger, the NSW RFS may declare a Total Fire Ban, prohibiting the lighting of any fire in the open, even if you have a fire permit.”

On a day of Total Fire Ban the lighting of fires is prohibited. This includes cooking fires using incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, such as wood or charcoal.

Gas or electric barbecues are permitted under the following conditions: they are on residential property within 20 metres of the house or dwelling; they are in a picnic area and the appliance is approved by Council, National Parks and Wildlife Services or State Forest; they are under the direct control of a responsible adult; the ground around a barbecue is cleared for 2 metres of all material which could burn and you have an immediate and continuous supply of water available.

“We urge all residents in the Mid Lachlan Valley Team area to be vigilant and extremely careful with fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period,” Ken said.

“Every resident should have a Bush Fire Survival Plan so they know what to do on days of increased fire danger and can immediately put their plan into action if their home is threatened by fire.”

Information about Total Fire Ban declarations is published at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Locals can also call the Forbes Fire Control Centre on 02 6851 1541 or the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).

 

 

 

 

 

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