Road train operators can now access the entire length of the Newell Highway, unlocking big efficiency gains for the movement of freight from border to border.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said providing end-to-end access for all eligible vehicles up to 36.5m long and Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 3 vehicles on the Newell was a huge win for the freight industry.

“This is a game changer for people moving product along one of our State’s most important freight corridors,” Mr Toole said.

“We trialled this expanded road train ac-cess through the drought and through last year’s bumper grain harvest and we know it provides significant productivity and safety gains, potentially reducing truck movements by as much as 40 per cent.”

Gazetted access would now be available to all eligible vehicles up to 36.5 metres long along more than 1000 kilometres of highway including through Parkes, irrespective of the cargo carried.

“Parkes was the last section of the Newell where road trains were restricted but the trials we did with road trains to move fodder through drought and last year’s harvest has guided this change,” Mr Toole said.

“By granting road trains permanent access to the last remaining section of the highway without the need for a permit, it will improve the efficiency, sustainability and safety of freight transport in the region which is developing into an important freight hub.

“Higher productivity vehicles are able to move 63 percent more freight per trip than a 26m B-Double heavy vehicle, which means less trucks on our roads, greater efficiency and reduced costs.”

For more information go to nswroads.work/ravmap

The COVID-19 situation is constantly changing, Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM wants to reassure residents that Council’s priority remains unchanged – “the health and safety of our employees, residents and the whole community are our number one priority.”

“We are here to help the community by continuing to provide essential services during these challenging times,” said Mayor Miller.

“At present the Council administration office remains closed. We know the rates are due and normally you can pop into Council and to pay them however there are options.”

Council have many payment options available:
• Payment over the phone by credit card (please have your details ready)
• Direct deposit to Council’s bank account BSB 032-822 A/C # 000102 (please use Assessment No. as reference)
• Direct debit arrangement (a form can be posted or emailed for set up)
• BPay transaction through internet banking
Cheque posted to PO Box 333 FORBES NSW 2871 or delivered to our afterhours mail chute at the Town Hall administration main door.

“Please be patient and understanding as we work through this situation together. We will do our best to help, but if you do experience wait times while your call is transferred, we apologise. I can assure you our staff are busy working behind those closed doors. We hope to open them again very soon.”

For enquiries and assistance regarding Rates payable, please call 02 6850 2319 or email Heidi.Paterson@forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Business NSW is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2021 Western NSW Business Awards.

The Western NSW Business Awards recognise growth, entrepreneurship, and celebrates business success and resilience.

Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager – Western NSW, at Business NSW, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across the region.

“It’s been an incredibly tough few years for business with COVID, bushfires and mouse plagues,” said Ms Seccombe.

“We believe it’s incredibly important to celebrate and support our business community, so we will be pivoting to an online Awards event and will shortly be advising our finalists with a new date and format,” Ms Seccombe said.

Winners of the 2021 Western NSW Business Awards, will then represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in November.

“Based on the calibre of this year’s finalists, I expect that our regional winners will again do very well at the State Business Awards,” Ms Seccombe said.

2021 Western NSW Business Awards Finalists include Parkes businesses Kitson Manufacturing Solutions and Giles Group Australia.

Forbes CWA branch is calling for urgent action on social and affordable housing options in rural and regional NSW. This year’s Awareness Week campaign runs from September 4-11 and has a particular emphasis on the social and affordable housing need in rural and regional NSW, as well as on women over 55 who are the fastest growing cohort of homeless people in Australia.

“We acknowledge governments at all levels are committing resources towards social and affordable housing, but it is not keeping pace with the current demand, and the demand expected in the future,” said President of the Forbes branch of the CWA of NSW, Elaine Bright.

The statistics emphasise the stark reality of the current situation, with a 2020 NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) report showing there was a shortfall of more than 200,000 social and affordable homes in NSW and almost 60,000 households were waiting for social housing. Waiting times in certain regions of the state can be as long as 20 years.

Community housing providers believe the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing associated restrictions are only going to worsen the current situation.

In 2018, it was estimated there were 116,000 homeless people in Australia at any given time.

“As part of CWA of NSW Awareness Week, the Forbes Branch would normally be at the Forbes Show with our Rest Area Marquee, however, due to the cancellation of the Forbes Show, we will not be able to do that this year. We will be continuing our input into the Forbes Community as we have done during the whole COVID out-break”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced nominations for the 2022 Rural Women’s Award is now open and encouraged women across NSW to consider putting their hand up.

Mrs Taylor said the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in bush communities. “These awards provide the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution rural women make in their industries and communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“This is all about calling out and empowering these female leaders and supporting them to go on to even bigger and brighter achievements.”

Mr Marshall said the award provides a platform to inspire, promote and support women who use their skills to help improve the prosperity of rural and regional NSW. “Previous winners and finalists have gone on to further their vision and made wonderful contributions to primary industries and rural communities, including 2021 winner Cressida Cains.”

Ms Cains is from the Southern Highlands, and her project Dairy Cocoon provides small dairy farms a place to connect, get support and education as they grow their businesses.

“Winning the 2020 NSW/ACT award has had a huge impact on my life and career. The Rural Women’s Award can help unlock your potential, offering support and guidance throughout your journey,” Ms Cains said. She will now represent NSW at the National AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year announcement in October.

The 2022 NSW/ACT Rural Women’s Award nominations are now open and will close on the 8 October 2021. If you know a local Forbes woman that you would like to nominate, applications and further information can be found at Rural Women’s Award AgriFutures Australia, or contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries directly rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au