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Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Maggi Barnard has been with the Forbes Phoenix since 2021 and loves writing about her community.

$1.5 Million For Saleyards Expansion

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

forbes-saleyards

The Forbes Shire Council will receive $1.5 million for much needed upgrades to expand the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) increasing througout capacity, productivity and turnaround times. “It was third time lucky,” said Forbes Mayor, Graeme Miller, and thanked the Grants Officer of the Council for his persistence in applying to the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).

Graeme said numbers at the CWLE had grown over capacity and that the expansion would allow for another 600 to 800 head of cattle. “This would be a lot better for the presentation of vendors, as well as animal welfare.” The CWLE is one of three projects in the Central West to share in more than $4.2 million in Federal funding unveiled by the Small Business Minister and Riverina MP, Michael McCormack, last week. The other two projects are extensions to the Parkes Regional Airport and Wagga Wagga’s Kurrajong Waratah.

Michael said the three projects would deliver a vital economic boost to the region, as well as enhance future job and
investment opportunities throughout the Riverina and Central West. “I know the investment in Parkes and Forbes is critical in giving the region’s small businesses – a third of which are farmers – the infrastructure and services they need to continue to grow into the future,” Michael said.

Under Round 3 of the NSRF, 67 projects across the nation will receive funding. The Central West has received $17.7 million in Rounds 1, 2 and 3.

Face Lift For Flannery’s

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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Flannery’s Pharmacy is getting a complete face lift for the first time since 1994. “We are very excited to be getting a brand new store,” said Manager Debbie Prior. She said since the merger of Flannery’s and Michael’s Amcal Pharmacy 12 years ago and the move to Rankin Street, the shop had never had an update. “We are putting in automatic doors in front and for the back door at the moment, and next week we will start with a complete new
refit inside. This will include three new consultation rooms for professional services and a nurses clinic room.”

While the new fixtures and fittings are being done, business will be done from half a store. “We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause, but hope customers will see the benefit of the new shop when it is all done by early December,” said Debbie. Once all the work is done, the new shop will be launched with an exciting range of new Christmas stock.

Council Comments…

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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The Lachlan River continues to drop and the water is receding very slowly. Most of our arterial roads should be open by the end of the week, which will be a relief for all involved. Last week I attended the Newell Highway Taskforce meeting in Dubbo. The taskforce will send a delegation to the Federal Government with the aim of seeking funding to flood proof the Newell Highway at Marsden and Lake Cowal. The Newell Highway is now closed and will remain closed for some weeks. This is having a detrimental effect on towns along the highway.

Next week a number of Councillors and the General Manager will be visiting the Local Government Association Conference in Wollongong. This is an important occasion and one of our new Councillors, Councillor Jenny Webb, will be attending. We will report back when we return. Council business is back in full swing after the induction of our new Councillors and our first briefing session.

The new briefing sessions have replaced Works and Services Committee meetings and I was very pleased to see the interaction between new and old Councillors. Our Grants Officer Andrew Rawsthorne has recently been successful in gaining significant funds for projects in the Forbes community. This financial year Forbes Shire Council has successfully gained grants for five projects totalling $2,416 million. There are over 30 grant applications pending with a total value of almost $2 million. It looks like being another good year for grants in the Forbes Shire.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Interesting Times Ahead In Market

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

After another month, markets across all categories are still staying strong. With water slowly starting to recede and
some strong numbers starting to hit the markets, we have interesting times ahead. Cattle are still reaching record prices with very strong restocker activity pushing prices to high rates with restocking steers and heifers fetching from $3.80 and up to $4.50c/kg. Kill cattle are reaching steady prices for good kill steers and heifers making from
$3.50 to $4.00c/kg. There is strong competition for breeders as well with some mixed age cows and calves making in excess of $3,000 per unit. These prices are a good indication of confidence in the future of the cattle market.

Sheep and lamb markets are starting to feel a little pressure with more numbers on the market. The restocking market for sheep ramped up with good 1st X ewes making well over $200 and very good joinable oneyear merino ewes up to $250. Restocking lambs are hard to buy unless you have a big cheque book, with store lambs making from
$90 to $120.

In the fat market, prices are starting to ease with more numbers becoming available to purchase. Prices for very good suckers make from $5.50 to $5.80c/kg and the best of the mutton make up towards $4.00c/kg. I believe all livestock prices will ease over the coming month but will remain relatively strong.

By Adam Chudleigh

Question of the Week?

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Has the floods affected your business?

lachlanw

Lachlan Wright – Pitt Stop Café: Yes it has a bit. We are down on takings as many people could not get to town and roads were closed. I am glad the waters are receding so we can go back to normal.

martincahill

Martin Cahill – Cahill’s Footwear: Yes it has for about two weeks. Although we’ve been selling lots of gumboots and workboots, people were more worried about stocking up on food and did not want to buy shoes. We have many customers from surrounding areas, and they could not get to town. Unfortunately the media sensationalised the flood saying the town was cut in two.

shannonb

Shannon Birmingham – Forbes Central Butchery: Yes it has been pretty bad – no one came shopping for two to three weeks. It is still very quiet, but slowly picking up again.

Snippets…

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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Upgrade for park: Forbes Shire Council will upgrade the playground equipment at Hughie Wilson Park in Elizabeth Street. The existing playground will be demolished and replaced with new equipment featuring a gyro disc, a t-swing with a toddler seat and climbing equipment with a slide. The upgrade, to start on 17th October, is part of Council’s 15-year replacement program, and should be ready by the end of the month. “The upgrades to Apex Lakeside Park and Nelson Park have been very well received by the community,” General Manager, Danny Green, said.
Long lunch by the lake: Come and enjoy a two course luncheon to help raise funds for a mobile Physio Touch machine for Forbes and Parkes Hospitals on Sunday, 13th November in Lions Park at 12:30pm. The guest speaker is Dianne Green, McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse. Tickets are $80 per person and includes a gourmet BBQ and dessert provided by Peter Ashcroft, beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as entertainment by Adam Enslow. There will
also be raffle tickets for sale in a monster raffle. Bookings close on 9th November. Contact debbie@roylances.com.au.
Forbes Neighbourhood Watch: Winners of the 100 club Sheet nr 6: 1st H. Payseno $60; 2nd Lach Reynolds $25; Roselee White $15; Sheet nr 7: 1st Peter Robb $60; 2nd Monica Wren $25; 3rd Gloria Haley $15.
Our 2nd Forbes Home Security and Safety Expo is on 16th October at Bunnings. The closing date for the Forbes Community Safety Art Competition is on Friday, 21st October. Entries can be handed in at local schools.
Try for Five: Cancer Council NSW is challenging families to boost their daily vegetable intake during National Nutrition Week next week. Eating more vegetables is a great way to boost overall health and adding more fibre-rich food can have lifelong cancer prevention benefits,” said a spokesperson.
St Laurence’s Art Exhibition: Tonight at 6pm is the St Laurence’s Art Exhibition at the School Hall in Dalton St. Entry is $5 and includes 2 tickets in the lucky door prize and a complimentary champagne/beer and nibbles on arrival. Artists’ work on exhibit include Liz Ledbrook, Pam Thomson, Klara Ward, Bec Bennett, Rosie Johnston,
Katie Ragg, Kellie Hanley, Sampa Bhakta, Karen Ritchie, Jan Ashe, Jan Martin and Ray Thorpe. James Whalan of the Forbes Conservatorium will provide music. There will be an auction, as well as a student art competition.

Summer Is The Time For Fly Screens

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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With the advent of summer combined with the big rains we have experienced during winter, it is time to think about ensuring that your fly screens are in place and don’t need repairing. Mosquitoes will be prevalent, as you have already experienced, and more so than in other years. It is best to get in early to make sure they don’t become a major annoyance. There is nothing worse than a mozzie flying around your head at night.

JD’s Glass and Glazing are only a call away. They can give you a measure and quote and have fly screens installed within a couple of weeks. Security doors are a necessity for summer too, and while you are at it, look at replacing your shower screen too. At JD’s they have a large range to choose from. Call JD’s Glass and Glazing today on 6851
1402.

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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Week ending 6 October 2016
A smaller than expected offering and an easing in the AUD saw this week’s market open on a solid note, leaving
the NRI to close the week 8 cents dearer at 1341. Wednesday’s market saw most merino fleece types gain 5 cents with some strong buying pressure on the 18.5 and the 19.5 microns areas. Thursday’s market was overall firm with the
fine to medium microns slightly dearer, while the broader microns were just off the pace, with the higher mid break
lots lacking some buyer support.

Merino skirtings gained 20-30 cents for the better style finer types with low Vm, while other types remained firm.
Oddments were also well supported, with Locks & crutchings closing fully firm, while stains were 10-15 cents dearer.
This week’s crossbred offering was firm and unchanged for 26 micron and broader on a limited offering.
Next week’s market is currently forecast at 37,681 bales.

Road Repair A Priority

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

minister-gay-visit

Forbes and other flood ravaged communities in the Central West have been thrown a life-line with $13 million from the NSW Government to provide immediate funding relief for councils to fix local roads destroyed by floodwater. Forbes is among the five most affected Local Government Areas that will receive $1 million each. The other councils are Lachlan, Parkes, Bland and Hilltops. Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay were in the region last week and announced an additional $1 million to investigate options to improve flood resistance of the Newell Highway at Tichborne to keep the highway open during heavy flood events. “Some local government areas are experiencing the wettest conditions in decades with significant road detours in place and some likely to be there for weeks,” Troy said.

Minister Gay said he had inspected roads across the region and met with local councils and it was clear the repair of the council road network was a priority. “The task to repair the network is going to be a big one – with the base under many of the roads completely saturated,” Duncan said.

Cheers To The Orange Wine Festival

October 13, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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The Orange Wine Region has a lot to celebrate: 20 years of being a certified wine region, fantastic vintages, high ratings in the Halliday Wine Companion and a number of wines winning ten trophies at wine shows around NSW recently. The Festival has over 90 events. The tasting event at the Showground Pavilion on Friday, 14th October has a record of 328 entries. The wines will be matched with delicious food prepared by The Agrestic Grocer. Don’t forget Wine Central, Monday to Thursday at the Union Bank from 5.30pm for a free tasting of a range of varieties.

A new event is the Mixed Dozen Portraits of the Winemakers of Orange, at The Barracks Galleries & Studios on Peisley Street. There is the inaugural Vino Velo – cycle two of the region’s wine trails, finishing with lunch at a winery. Joins thousands at the Orange Wine Festival Wine and Food Night Market on Friday, 21st October at Robertson Park. Visit the website www.orangwinefestival.com.au for more information or download the full program http://www.emagcloud.com/brandorange/OrangeWineFestival2016/

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