CHECK FOR TRUCKS AND SIGNS: More signs and more traffic on our roads between now and the end of the January school holidays and harvest makes for risk on our roads as residents are urged to take care.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this year’s grain crop is shaping up to top a record 16 million tonnes, with head-ers already ripping into the task in the north of the state, and some grain receival sites opening for the first time in seven years.

“This year’s expected bumper harvest couldn’t have come at a better time for our farmers, but it does come with additional safety concerns with more activity around silos and stored grain moving off site,” Mr Toole said.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, so we’re rolling out two types of signs to remind drivers to be patient, slow down and take care on the road this harvest. The NSW Government has teamed up with GrainCorp to roll out 27 electronic message signs along key road harvest routes, from Moree to Coolamon, promoting safety around managing fatigue, being aware of trucks and wearing a seatbelt. An additional 18 of these electronic messaging signs will be placed at high-risk level crossings,” he said.

“Long days harvesting and transporting grain can put farmers and drivers at risk, and with fatigue still one of the biggest killers on our roads, it’s important farmers and drivers look after themselves and take regular breaks.”
The extra signage comes as NSW also opens completely to the double vaccinated for the first time.

Residents across the state are expected to travel in large numbers to all parts of regional NSW from this week. Transport for NSW Acting Deputy Secretary, Regional and Outer Metropolitan, Pete Allaway said people are keen to get out and about but should take care on the road.

“Motorists are also reminded they need to be “truck aware” as it’s important to remember trucks can’t stop as quickly as some other vehicles.”

You can learn more about being safe around heavy vehicles by visiting the Be Truck Aware webpage.

A new digital one-stop-shop has streamlined the process for tourism businesses and councils to apply for white on brown tourism attraction signs, creating more opportunities to showcase their destinations.

The Visitor Attraction Signposting Program, a partnership between Destination NSW and Transport for NSW, has been improved according to the guiding principles of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 – putting the visitor first, leading with the State’s strengths, and accelerating digital innovation.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said visibility was key to creating a seamless visitor experience in regional NSW.

“Once visitors arrive in a regional town, or even on their way there, they are much more likely to enjoy their experience if land-marks and attractions are located easily and safely,” Mr Toole said.

“These signs are about encouraging people off the highway to explore some of the best the bush has to offer.”

A range of categories of attractions and tourism businesses are eligible for visitor signs including galleries, museums, national parks, Aboriginal cultural attractions, historic towns or properties, wineries and more.

For more information, go to www.destinationnsw.com.au/visitorattractionsignposting.

Woolworths Forbes is launching a Local Community Food Drive to help support Forbes charities deliver high priority food relief items to people in need in the lead up to Christmas. The week-long initiative started this week and Forbes customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items into the specially marked Local Community Food Drive trolley in-store.

Donated items will be distributed either directly to a store’s local community food relief charity partner, or via one of Woolworths’ major food relief partners, such as OzHarvest, FareShare and Foodbank, and their network of local charities they support, to ensure Forbes residents in need receive the donated essential food items.

Woolworths Forbes has also committed to donating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables to the Local Community Food Drive and their local community’s food relief charity.

Woolworths Forbes Store Manager, Gail Legg said: “Food insecurity continues to be a real issue in communities across Australia and the past year has made it even more difficult for a growing number of families to access nutritious food and essentials. As Today’s Fresh Food People, we’re committed to supporting local communities and helping those less fortunate, particularly as we head into the festive season.

“I encourage Forbes customers to join us and make a donation to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive when they shop with us. By simply adding a non-perishable product in the specially marked trolley, you will be helping someone in need in our local community.”

Forbes customers can donate in-store at Woolworths Forbes to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive from 3 – 9 November.

Michael Hanley’s Funeral Home, a professional, family-owned business with over 46 years of experience, has been offering its services in Parkes, Forbes and surrounding districts since 1975.

“Of the many funerals our family-owned business does per year, a percentage of them are out of town,” says Tami Stewart.
Another service Michael Hanley’s Funeral Home offers is the option for clients to arrange their funeral and have it all ready for when anything happens.

Michael Hanley’s Funeral Home conduct funerals, graveside services and cremations. Cremation services can be held in our chapel in Forbes where the crematorium is located. Funeral prices start from $4,598. Give Michael Hanley’s Funeral Home a call on 6852 1961 or send us a message to hanleyfunerals.com.au

HIGH DOSE RATES: Approximately 78 percent of Aboriginal people aged 16 years and older had received a first dose of vaccine and 68 per cent had received two doses. These rates are well above the NSW figures for Aboriginal people, which were 68.4 per cent for first doses and 58.2 per cent for second doses. 2nd dose Pfizer clinics were also in Forbes last weekend. INSET: FSC staff have also been on hand with ADF throughout the rollout.

The communities of Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are showing the rest of the state how it’s done, with some of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in NSW.

The latest data from the Australian Immunisation Register revealed that, to 24 October, WNSWLHD’s second-dose vaccination rate for those aged 12-15 was the highest in the state at 68.1 per cent – well above the statewide figure of 51.3 per cent. The second dose vaccination rate for those aged over 16 years in WNSWLHD was 87.2 per cent, among the highest of any Local Health District and also above the overall state figure of 84.1 per cent.

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said he is extremely proud of both the District’s vaccination team and communities for showing up in such high numbers to receive their COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our Local Health District has a strong history when it comes to vaccination, so I’m not overly surprised to see the communities stepping up again to protect themselves in this way, but to see it happen so quickly is still really pleasing,” Mr McLachlan said.

“In just the last few months our vaccination teams have visited more than 75 communities, across a geographical area approximately the size of the United Kingdom.”

Since the first dose of vaccine was administered on 21st March 2021, WNSWLHD have so far given more than 115,000 doses across the district. Vaccine delivery continues at permanent clinics in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange, as well as via mobile clinics reaching out to other communities.

“While the figures so far are great, and definitely something to be proud of, I want to see our entire District well above 90 per cent fully vaccinated. So please, make the effort to get vaccinated through a WNSWLHD clinic, a GP, pharmacy, Aboriginal Medical Service or respiratory clinic.”