It was the news everyone in NSW had been hoping for after the first stage of COVID-19 restrictions were eased across the State for the fully vaccinated earlier this week.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this is just a “taste of the freedoms to come with the State on track to pass the 80 percent double vaccination mark within weeks, and if we keep on going, we’ll ensure lockdowns become a thing of the past.”

New Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the changes would be welcomed from “Bondi to Broken Hill!”

“So many people are keen to get back to the pub or enjoy a meal at their local cafe,” Mr Toole said.

“It won’t be long before we see the bush buzzing again and the main streets of regional towns packed with activity as businesses re-open and restrictions start to ease.”

Locally, the news was welcomed with business owners able to operate with more clarity. Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM was rapt that people were out and about in town again while Shire Councillors Graeme Miller and Steve Karaitiana were both on hand to inspect Templar Street works and observe the pick-up in CBD traffic, excited by the prospect of a strong economic recovery leading into Christmas.

“It is great to see people about again,” said Cr Graeme Miller.
To see the 70 percent Roadmap and lift-ing of restrictions, visit nsw.gov.au

The Goldridge Estate Ballot Night was held on September 30 and was “a resounding success” according to Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller.

“The sale couldn’t have gone any better and we are so pleased to see so many young families purchase their first block of land in our amazing Goldridge Estate,” said Mayor Miller.

“The sale was completed through a ballot process in which each applicant was given a number and when drawn out of the barrel, they were given the opportunity to pick whichever block they desired from the 13 lots on offer. We needed to see that everyone had an equal playing field, and it was conducted in an open and public way.”

Stage one of the Estate was the first to go on the market and of that stage, Phase 1 and 2 were sold through the Ballot Night. The following day saw Phase 3 and 4 go on the market as a general release and all enquiries are directed to go through the local Real Estate Agents; Century 21, Elders, Michael Robinson and Ray White.

“We will continue to release more land as the market demand warrants, giving existing real estate in town a chance to recover from the current competitive circumstances.”

Goldridge Estate comprises 221 very affordable lots ranging from 550 square metres to over 5,000 square metres with rural views. The appetite for homes in regional NSW is only expected to rise once the lockdown ends and borders reopen.

For those who know Forbes local legend Mick Griffiths, he is a well-liked and respected man who for years has run a regional security firm that works at pubs and clubs from Dubbo to the Blue Mountains – that was until COVID and poor health struck.

Like many, Mick has had setbacks during lockdown with more health issues offering a grim prognosis and with little chance to get out and do anything else, Mick began volunteering his time to mow lawns for those even more vulnerable than him and in some cases those who simply had no time.

“I have plenty of lawnmowers sitting around so I thought I would start helping a few people who have been doing it a bit tough during COVID forced lockdowns and stay-at-home restrictions,” he said.

“I began by helping a few people I know and some neighbours and it has gone from there,” Mick said.

“It started as a little thing just to help out some people who didn’t have mowers or have time or energy to do it.”

Currently Mick helps out “about a handful” of people and said he will keep going so long as he is able and the hard lock-downs continue.

“I think if the pandemic has taught me one thing, it is we all need to be better and kinder to one another,” said Mick.

If we can all do that, what a wonderful place it would be!

In the past week, stay-at-home orders have been lifted for Forbes, Parkes, Cabonne and other selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) across NSW. The new freedoms came with a warning from the NSW State Government that restrictions can just as easily be reapplied.

“I encourage everyone in those LGAs to enjoy their freedoms in a responsible way and should anything change in those areas a return to lockdown may be possible,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
Something Cowra knows all about after a recorded case this week.

Forbes has recorded another COVID-positive sewerage test since lockdown ended and is waiting on the second. The mystery prompting surveillance testing from WNSWLHD despite no new cases now for over two weeks as COVID testing numbers continue to decline across NSW.

Yet there is light at the end of the tunnel with a distinct possibility restrictions and stay-at-home orders will be removed by as early as October 9 should vaccination rates continue at the current upward trend. On this day NSW will have 70% double vaccinated.

“I urge everyone to get vaccinated so you can continue to enjoy freedoms when NSW reaches the 70 percent double dose target”.

Forbes is currently at 57% double-vaccination and ranks among the top 3 in the WNSWLHD and around 88% first-dose placing it in the top 5 as well with only Lachlan performing better across both categories.

More inside this issue on ADF Vax Clinics and COVID Surveillance Testing.

Regional Australians are among the most resilient people in the world – make no mistake.

The very worst of circumstances always brings out the very best in regional and rural people.

We battle through fires and drought, storms and floods – and we do it together.

We band together, we help our fellow community members. It is what we do. It is this moral fibre which makes our local communities the wonderful places they are to live, work and raise a family.

Now the COVID-19 pandemic is another significant challenge and, again, our regional and rural communities will rise to the occasion – together.

The Delta strain of COVID-19 has presented a situation not experienced on our shores since the Spanish Flu pandemic of more than 100 years ago.

Getting the jab is not only important for you, your friends and family, it is key to getting back to enjoying this wonderful region we call home.

I thank each and every person who has rolled up their sleeves and received the jab and I urge and encourage those who have not yet done so to discuss your options with your local GP to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

You can go to www.health.gov.au to find the nearest available COVID-19 vaccine clinic and to book your vaccination.

Please do not delay – you will be saving lives and livelihoods.

Michael McCormack
Federal Member for Riverina

It is well documented the past 18 months have resembled something from a Spielberg disaster film with fire, flu, vermin and now floods. One could be forgiven for thinking this is the end of days. Fortunately it isn’t but it will be wet for the rest of 2021 and that means floods in Forbes.

The Lachlan NSW SES advised Forbes Shire Council to expect moderate to major flooding on last Tuesday with everyone from WaterNSW to the Bureau of Meteor-ology keeping an eye on the weather and rising water levels.

After more rain last weekend and more to come, along with water already being released from Wyangala Dam, the next few weeks will be critical.

Already roads are covered in water with flooding west and south of Forbes.
Forbes Shire Council has also asked residents to keep an eye on the Forbes Shire Council social media pages, SMS messaging service and website to keep all residents and visitors up to date particularly info on roads.

If you aren’t a subscriber to the SMS service contact council and get yourself on the list, it’s easy – just email your mobile phone number and name to communications@forbes.nsw.gov.au or call Council to register.

For NSW State Emergency Service Ph: 132 500 or visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
RMS Live Traffic is another good source of information regarding major roads www.livetraffic.com

Look to Councils communication channels for all other roads, including the website: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/emergency-information/road-closures

It was the news we knew was coming – we have more confirmed cases in Forbes and Parkes this week. If we continue with the current rate of infections across the Western New South Wales Local Health District we could expect to see the number of active cases reach 1000 by Wednesday as NSW continues to break one unfortunate record after another. The region has also recorded its first death.

On Monday there were two new cases in Forbes, taking our total to three. All three cases have been stated as sources unknown on the NSW Government COVID19 website as of Tuesday 31st August. The two new cases are self-isolating. There were also another two cases in Parkes which now takes their total to 10. Nine of their cases have known sources. Investigators are still trying to trace the source of the Forbes infections. The total number of cases in Western New South Wales is currently at 641 with 322 of those with an unknown source and a total of 131,039 people have been tested.

The community of Forbes is doing a fantastic job stepping up to be vaccinated and hundreds of residents have turned out at the Forbes Town Hall for the ADF run pop up vaccination clinic. There were 391 on Saturday and 449 on Sunday with Monday also proving to be another big day as Forbes nears the 80% jab mark target. Despite this, low COVID test numbers across the region still remain a concern with only 66 conducted.

There remains hope that once NSW is at 70-80% fully vaccinated the world may return to normal again – whatever that may be. We wait with baited breath.

For some, the state-wide seven-day lock-down comes “too little, too late,” as numbers from the Delta variant of COVID-19 continue to spread across NSW to well over 400 each day with numbers now above 100 cases in the Western NSW Health District including Mudgee.

With only 20% of the country fully vaccinated (5.25 million) and just 15 million doses administered at the time of publication, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called a snap lockdown for regional NSW last Saturday August 14 at 5pm for a week in line with other LGA’s in NSW. By that time, Dubbo and Walgett had known cases and other centres such as Parkes and Bourke recorded sewerage fragments.

“To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions have been introduced for all of Regional NSW, this means the whole of NSW is now under stay-at-home restrictions,” Berejiklian said last weekend.

Restrictions that may extend beyond a week with contract tracers scrambling to catch up.

“You must stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse to leave. You cannot have visitors to your home from outside your household, including family and friends,” the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

Sentiments echoed by Dr. Kerry Chant and Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM in an online Forbes Shire Council video.

People can have one visitor at one time to fulfill carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but reside separately.

There are a number of new restrictions in place the public should familiarise themselves with as infringements and fines also peaked at 529 (on the first night of lock-down) on August 14.

Please visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules for more information and regular updates.