Forbes Shire Council has received support from the State Government under its NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program to rollout planning undertaken for the Lake Forbes Activation Plan.

The access to $2 million will provide a huge boost to Council in its delivery for the community for the Lake Forbes Activation Plan. This was undertaken with extensive community consultation.The Forbes community and visitors alike love othe lake and the plan provides Council with direction for this asset moving forward.

Council has been able to access this funding over other Councils as they have been early adopters of the NSW Planning Portal.

“We would like to thank the community for coming along with us on this journey – online services can be tricky to implement so it has been a team effort,” a statement online on the Forbes Shire Council Facebook page read.

“We have done this more than six months ahead of the NSW Planning Portal being mandated for local government, so it’s a huge effort!”

The list of projects shows that there really is something for everyone – from new fountains to refurbishment of the BMX track, improved footbridges and pedestrian access.

“There is a lot more to do in the Lake Forbes Activation Plan, but this is a brilliant start!” said Phyllis Miller OAM.

As the works progress there may be some interruptions to how the community is able to use the walking paths and the lake itself. Be assured that there will be plenty of notice as to when this will occur. Please contact the Council project team if you have any questions or concerns on 02 6850 2300 or danial.speer@forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Local printing business, Yellow House Cowra Design and Print, has launched a state-of-the-art new website that has all of the functions of other global printing companies.

Yellow House Cowra Manager Joshua Matic said he commissioned the new website to be created so his business could match the services Vistaprint offers, but printed locally right here in the Central West.

The website has a huge variety of functions, including online ordering, a contact form for quotes and enquires, samples, and even design templates where customers can design their own print job on the website, submit and pay for the job. All online orders can be shipped anywhere in Australia.

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a “re-think” in the way businesses operate, Mr Matic said this new website was all about innovating his business to not only encourage locals to shop locally, but also attract business from outside of the region.

“With COVID-forced lockdowns and restrictions taking an economic toll, many people have been shopping around for the best deals, even if this means not shopping locally,” he said.

“This means it has been more important than ever for all businesses to find other ways of not only retaining their regular, local customers, but also attracting more from other areas to maintain or even increase their business.”

The Yellow House Cowra website can be found at www.yellowhousecowra.com.

A $50 accommodation voucher will be available from today as part of the NSW Government’s $250 million Stay NSW program. Applications for the vouchers will be made available by Local Government Area in a staggered approach. Every community will have access to them by 3 March.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the voucher initiative is a commitment to bolster the accommodation industry while getting people excited to travel in NSW. “This is a win-win for NSW – the vouchers will give hard hit businesses much needed stimulus, while also encouraging residents to explore our great State,” Mr Dominello said.

“The Stay NSW program has been expanded and fast-tracked, so people can enjoy a staycation sooner. Whether it’s a quiet country inn, the family-run caravan park or a hotel in the Sydney CBD, every budget needs a boost this year.”

Applying is fast and simple via the Service NSW mobile app, through the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88 for assistance.

There are more than 1,200 Stay NSW businesses registered across the State but it is not too late for accommodation premises to get on board. Stay NSW Vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022.

CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS AVAILABLE: Creative Kids Vouchers are now available via the ServiceNSW website.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school.

The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for a range of creative activities, including arts, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons.

The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued. To use the voucher, give the details to your registered activity provider. The program runs year-round, so kids can get creative at any time.

If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the student will be eligible if they are a NSW resident:
• Aged between 4.5 and 18 years;
• Enrolled in school (from Kindergarten to Year 12, including those who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW);
• A current Medicare card holder.

You can apply for a voucher for each eligible student. You can use the voucher for registration, participation, and tuition costs with approved Creative Kids providers.

What you need:
• A MyServiceNSW account;
• One proof of identity document for the parent, carer or guardian;
• Your child’s Medicare card details.

How to apply:
• Check the eligibility requirements and the types of activities.
• Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
• Log in to your account or sign up for a MyServiceNSW Account.
• Follow the prompts to apply for the voucher.
• Eligible programs

An eligible program is a structured, focused program with clear creative skill development outcomes, delivered in real-time (live). The primary purpose is for children or young people to learn or participate in interactive creative or cultural activities. The program must demonstrate value for money and be relevant to the age and skill level of participants.

For more information and to apply: www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

POSITIVE BUDGET OUTLOOK: Business NSW – West-ern’s Vicki Seccombe is optimistic the budget will have positive impact on business. The NSW Perrottet-Toole government will be delivering their first budget together after the resignation of both Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro in the past four months.

The ability to trade safely, to welcome back customers and staff with certainty, and the ability to plan for the future are top priorities for business while quickly rebuilding consumer and trading confidence is central to the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW’s submission ahead of the upcoming NSW Budget. The submission has been formally lodged with the NSW Government.

“As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to deploy agile and tailored policy making responses remain key,” said Business NSW Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“The NSW Government’s leadership and collaboration supporting businesses has again been demonstrated, with the delivery, without Federal Government assistance, of the $1billion business support package including direct payments to businesses of up to $5,000 per week,” Ms Seccombe said.

“The rebuilding of consumer and business confidence and tailored support for particular business sectors and localities doing it tough are key priorities for the first months of 2022 and through new variants or a ‘winter wave’,” she said.

Increased freedom and flexibility to safely get on with it remain the biggest challenges for business, Ms Seccombe added.