After numerous postponements of meet and greet nights through to the local government elections themselves, the Forbes Shire Council Elections are finally here!

Saturday’s December 4 elections were originally scheduled for September 2020 but COVID restrictions meant that was not possible. Last Thursday evening’s informative Meet The Candidates night was also one of the last chances for locals to meet and greet those running for FSC.

After pre-polling opened last week to aid those unable to attend due to work or floods, this year’s ballot form will have 13 candidates – 1. Aidan Clarke; 2. Margaret Duggan; 3. Jeff Nicholson; 4. Thomas Dwyer; 5. Chris Roylance; 6. Steve Karaitiana; 7. Phyllis Miller; 8. Brian Mattiske; 9. Graeme Miller; 10. Michele Herbert; 11. Maria Willis; 12. Emma Henderson and 13. Jenny Webb.

Please note that not voting can result in fines.

 

The next Rotary Ipomoea Market will be held on Saturday December 11th in Victoria Park and NOT Lion’s Park due to COVID regulations. This will be a one-off event.

Victoria Park will be fenced in and therefore it will be easy to check the vaccination status of all who attend as COVID rules still apply. Stallholders and the general public must be double vaccinated.

Those wishing to attend the market can enter the park through the entrance on the left side of the Cenotaph. The market will finish at 12 noon and all stallholders will be packed up and gone by 1:00pm in time for the set up for Carols by Candlelight that evening.

“This market has a lot of excited stallholders booking in their stalls because there has not been a market since April,” said Sue-anne Nixon from Rotary.

“There will be a Christmas theme with a big variety of plants, produce, home cooking and sewing as well as vintage stalls and bric-a-brac stalls. The Rotary Breakfast caravan will be attending so a hot breakfast will be available. Rotary Ipomoea members will have a very large stall featuring plants, raffle and produce. If you would like to book in a stall please call Helen 0427 201 445.”

A media release from research undertaken by Wyangala Counterpoint Group (WCG) has claimed that the proposed larger Wyangala Dam would have filled and spilled in early October. The latest wet weather event generated a very large volume of rainfall runoff in the Upper Lachlan catchment that the proposed larger dam would not have held back.

The volume of inflows to Wyangala Dam would have filled the proposed additional 650 GL by early October. Dam releases would still have occurred at the same time the increased tributary inflows from the Belubula River, Boorowa River and other swollen water sources below the dam entered the Lachlan River upstream of Forbes.

“Up to 50% of the river flows causing flooding at Forbes have come from tributaries downstream of the dam,” Pennie Scott of WCG told the Phoenix.

Wyangala Counterpoint Group has analysed inflows to Wyangala Dam since it first filled in August and inflows to the Lachlan River from tributaries below the dam. This analysis is based on real time inflow reporting and river gauge readings available on the WaterNSW website.

“Wyangala Counterpoint Group would like to encourage thorough examination of the mixed messages and competing reasons for raising the dam wall to ensure an informed debate”.

Importantly, the dam will not be able to perform the competing purpose of flood mitigation while also guaranteeing increased water security for downstream water users. Increased water security requires a full dam while increased flood mitigation requires low levels in the dam. Other solutions are needed to solve problems on the downstream floodplain.

The Bogan Gate Branch of the Country Women’s Association celebrated 90 years this week with a fabulous luncheon at the revamped Bogan Gate Hotel.

During the occasion, Ros Edwards explained that the inaugural meeting was held at the home of Mrs W Black on 7th November, 1931. That meeting was opened by Miss Warby, State Treasurer.

“During the War years the members of CWA were called upon to do many extra tasks,” Ros said.

“For many months they ran a canteen for soldiers at the nearby Army Camp and almost every woman in Bogan Gate had a camouflage net on a stand and as soon as one was finished, another would be started. Most ladies knitted socks, pyjamas, khaki shirts and fruit cakes to include in comfort parcels which were packed once a month during the war years.”

Gail McKay explained to the group that in their 90 years they have awarded 13 Life Memberships, four 50-year badges, 33 Long Service Bars and had 16 junior members – an incredible feat!

Here’s to the next 90!

The Forbes community devastated by flooding of the Lachlan River has been thrown an economic lifeline along with Cowra, with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack announcing disaster assistance is now available.

Mr McCormack said the assistance was targeted at Forbes and Cowra shire councils, residents, primary producers, small businesses and charities to help them recover from the severe weather event and flooding which occurred from Tuesday November 9th. Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth- State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Mr McCormack spent two days in Forbes this week as the Lachlan River overflowed its banks and has been in constant contact with Forbes Mayor, Councillor Phyllis Miller OAM, who welcomed news of the assistance package after the Lachlan River peaked at 10.53 metres Friday November 19 at Iron Bridge.

“I am so excited disaster assistance has been arranged as quickly as it has,” Mayor Miller said. “It’s tremendously important we have our Shire declared a natural disaster area because that helps our farming community, as well as our council and the general community.”

Floodwaters have inundated hundreds of hectares of crops around Cowra and Forbes. Mr McCormack repeated his calls for the dam wall to be raised 10 metres to hold a further 650 gigalitres of water.

“Increasing the capacity of Wyangala Dam will help prevent disasters,” Mr McCormack said.

The disaster assistance will help the Forbes and Cowra councils cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets. Local residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.

To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Westpac will provide emergency support for households, businesses and farms affected by the flooding in Central West New South Wales.

Emergency support available:

Affected customers with Westpac home loans may apply to defer repayments for up to three months.

Affected credit card customers may apply to defer repayments to their card for up to 90 days.

Affected customers wishing to purchase replacement goods may apply for a personal loan at a discounted interest rate with no establishment fee.

Westpac will waive interest rate adjustments for affected customers wishing to withdraw term deposits.

Affected customers experiencing hardship may also be offered a halt on all interest accrual on unsecured credit products for a period of up to three months.

Affected customers with Westpac business loans may apply to defer repayments for up to three months.

Affected businesses with existing loans can request loan restructuring without incurring the usual bank establishment fees.

Affected business customers with merchant facilities are eligible to receive assistance.

To access financial assistance Westpac consumer customers can apply online or call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497. Business customers call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497. St.George consumer customers can apply online or call St.George Assist on 1800 629 795. Business customers call St.George Assist on 1800 629 795.

 

Sadly, the 2021 Forbes Christmas Carnival will not be going ahead. The Forbes Business Chamber last weekend made the announcement that it has no option but to cancel the date this year.

“The reallocation of another date is just not possible as that date would need to be after the 15th December while the 15th December date is still not confirmed and concrete,” said Marg Duggan, President of the Forbes Business Chamber.

“Under the current circumstances and COVID restrictions the Christmas Carnival is unable to go ahead in Templar and Rankin Streets. This is due to the mandatory requirement that fencing is erected at all entrances and must be manned throughout the evening. People who are not double-vaccinated are excluded from the event. This exclusion is not possible as within the cage area there are essential service businesses. These businesses include health such as pharmacy, dentist, butcher clothing and food services.” said Marg Duggan

The Chamber will be holding late night shopping evenings on the 9th and 16th December until 8pm and are hopeful local businesses will support these evenings. Those businesses that are located out of Rankin, Templar and Lachlan Streets are welcome to bring a table and display into the CBD for those evenings. The items can be sold or used as a promotion for your business.

Other activities will include the Elf In The Shop, sponsored by the Forbes Phoenix this year. Keep your eyes open for the clue sheet.

The prizes in this years’ promotion total $20,000 and $500 draws will be held on Thursday afternoons until December 23. The remaining draws are for December 24 – totalling $20,000.

The winning Why Leave Town Cards are valid until the 30th June, 2022 and are redeemable at a number of Forbes businesses.

“The Christmas Carnival will be back in 2022 no doubt!”

The previously cancelled Meet the 2021 Council Election Candidates Night was held last Thursday night by the Forbes Business Chamber at the Forbes Golf and Sportsmans Hotel.

Speaking in Ballot Order – each of the candidates were given five minutes to present to the audience and media why they would be an ideal candidate for the council and why voters should vote for them number one on the ballot in under a week.

Election day is Saturday, December 4, after it has previously been postponed due to COVID in September 2020. Candidates elected to this Forbes Shire Council, like others, will serve shorter terms as a result.

With former councillor Susan Chau moving interstate and Grant Clifton not contesting this election, there are thirteen candidates vying for nine positions on the Forbes Shire Council. Some like Emma Henderson are running for the first time while others like Phyllis Miller and Chris Roylance will be going again.

All are worthy candidates and deserve serious consideration, there are limited positions and perhaps the disruptions to campaigning will favour those who have experience come polling day. Make sure you cast your vote on December 4 to not just avoid fines but also ensure your preferred council candidate is a chance to be elected. It is after all, your Forbes Shire Council!

Ballot Order: 1. Aidan Clarke; 2. Margaret Duggan; 3. Jeff Nicholson; 4. Thomas Dwyer; 5. Chris Roylance; 6. Steve Karaitiana; 7. Phyllis Miller; 8. Brian Mattiske; 9. Graeme Miller; 10. Michele Herbert; 11. Maria Willis; 12. Emma Henderson and 13. Jenny Webb.