As you head down any highway across regional Australia the landscapes may change drastically but certain things stay the same. Some of the most common sights you’ll pass during your travels are four-wheel drives, utes, and family cars. It doesn’t take much investigation to figure out why these types of vehicles are so popular in the bush.

They are designed to accommodate the whole family, carry your tools of the trade, and importantly are designed to travel long distances, which is the reality of living in regional Australia. However, regional Australians are set to pay significantly more for these types of vital vehicles under this Labor Government’s new ute and family car tax.

Under this policy, in February, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries predicted the price of Australians’ favourite vehicles is set to skyrocket. The cost of a Ford Ranger is predicted to rise by $17,950, while the price of a Toyota Hilux is forecast to soar by $14,490 and the Isuzu D-Max could increase by $13,830. This Labor Government has labelled it as an efficiency standard, but it simply is a tax.

We all want to see cleaner and cheaper cars and utes on our roads as we head towards net-zero by 2050, but Labor’s plan is not the answer.

There is proof of these types of plans having adverse impacts in other countries such as New Zealand where a similar tax drove up the cost of a car by about NZ$7,000.

There are also concerns that some manufacturers will withdraw from the Australian market altogether.

It’s not just a differing view of politics, industry leaders have warned that carmakers will have no choice but to pass on the costs associated with Labor’s efficiency standard.

In February, Australian Automotive Dealers Association CEO James Voortman said “this policy goes too far too fast and that consumers will be the big losers”.

This type of prediction is a worrying one for all Australians during a cost-of-living crisis, but especially for those of us who live in the bush where we rely on these vehicles to support our families and our communities.

Can you believe that it’s already Easter?

From everyone here at Forbes Shire Council, I’d like to wish you and your families a happy and safe Easter.

If you’re looking for any ideas of what to do this weekend, why not take advantage of the cooler weather and go camping or fishing along the Lachlan River. You could also drive along our amazing Sculptures Down the

Lachlan trail; pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it with your family or friends. It’s also a great time to take a break at one of our amazing cafes or walk the lake with that coffee in hand!

The long weekend is a busy time on our roads with so many people travelling for their Easter break so please travel safely and don’t forget it is double demerits from Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April.

Please take care as you travel – we want you to arrive safely, and NSW Police will be out in force to make this a reality. They will be targeting speeding, wearing of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts and mobile phone

offences. I urge you to drive to the conditions especially as there are ongoing works on a number of our

roads as we continue repairing after the 2022 floods. Slow down. Take breaks. Limit distractions in the car.

Don’t mix alcohol or drugs with driving and above all please be patient.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the Central West Flood Recovery

Housing Program survey. This survey is very important for our community as it will provide critical information for this program.

I encourage everyone who was impacted by the floods, no matter how big or small the impact was, to complete this survey before the April 30. It is so important that our community receive much needed and appropriate assistance in flood recovery.

Until next week, God bless. May this Easter bring you lots of joy, happiness and blessings.

Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

Each year Tony Bernardi (of Bernardis Marketplace in Forbes) gives away $10,000 to local community groups. Customers are given tokens after they make a purchase and they can put their token into one of 3 plastic containers that each represent a different local group or organisation. This happens twice a year and the $10,000 is split amongst those depending upon how many tokens each receive. The winners from the last round of the promotion were the Forbes Mens Shed. Representatives from the Forbes Mens Shed wanted to thank the community for helping them win and also a massive thank you to Tony Bernardi for the donation of $2500.

Jim Walklate, who is the current President of the Forbes Mens Shed, said about Tony Bernardi “Tony is a very big supporter of our Mens Shed, he also comes down each Wednesday and plays cards, we get around 24-30 each Wednesday afternoon who come down for cards which is one of our social get togethers that we enjoy”.

Late last year the Forbes Mens Shed became a registered charity “This year we want to give some money away to help support the local community, this $2500 cheque will certainly help us do that”.

“We would love to have some younger members come along and join us at the Forbes Mens Shed, we have a very aged population now, virtually from the early 70’s to 90’s. Members of any age are welcome, if you have just retired come along have a chat and a cup of coffee. We are coming into firewood season, the boys go out mostly on a Saturday or Sunday, cut it, bring it in, we split it and sell it. We do repairs for people also, which is why we need more carpenters to come and join us” said Jim. So, if you’re in Forbes and looking for a supportive environment where you can tinker, create, and connect, consider paying a visit to the Forbes Community Men’s Shed. It’s more than just a shed—it’s a home away from home for many. Also check out our wide range of second hand tools & furniture at the Forbes Mens Shed.