RAISE THE WALL: A sign hanging from a bridge in Forbes last weekend aptly sums up what most are thinking. INSET: Forbes Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance with Michael McCormack (right) in the Forbes Shire last week getting a gauge on the flood damage to farms and crops.

The Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has hit back at comments made by academic Professor Jamie Pittock, who is opposed to raising the Wyangala Dam wall.

Mr McCormack said the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall by 10 metres would not only increase the water storage capacity of the dam by 650 gigalitres, it would also give authorities more flexibility in preventing flood events.

“Professor Pittock has shown through his comments a complete disregard for the residents, farmers, families and business people living and working along the Lachlan River catchment,” Mr McCormack said.

“To suggest raising the Wyangala Dam wall would worsen the impact of floods and to accuse relevant authorities of water mismanagement is misinformed and is a smack in the face to the people living along the Lachlan River catchment as well as to Water New South Wales, which many locals believe has done an outstanding job to minimise the impact of this flooding event. When Prof. Pittock says there are “cheaper” alternatives, it is not just about doing things on the cheap,” Mr McCormack said.

“But on the issue of cost, just imagine the value of the current floodwater, had it been used for agricultural production, which would be enormous. To say the dam wall should not be raised goes against everything most locals believe should happen.”

Mr McCormack, offered some advice for the Professor.

“Try telling that to those residents who are pulling up their sodden carpets after the waters have run through their homes, to the primary producers who stand to lose millions of dollars because their crops have been ruined or to the communities who’ve faced flood adversity too many times,” he said.

“Try telling that to the people of Forbes who’ve had their houses inundated by two flood events in the past five years.”

A record $1.1 billion is being invested in Indigenous programs, services and initiatives this financial year, with New South Wales last week becoming the first state to publish its own Interim Indigenous Expenditure Report (IER).

The Interim IER maps and tracks the State’s current financial commitment to Indigenous-specific programs and services across government. It will inform future policy decisions and the allocation of funds.

Treasurer Matt Kean said spending on Indigenous initiatives is up 18.9 per cent on the previous financial year, with the NSW Government focused on delivering improved programs and services for First Nations people.

“I know we’ve still got a long way to go to close the gap, but the NSW Government is proud to be working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to create better outcomes for communities right across the state,” Mr Kean said.

The largest spend categories in the Interim IER include – Infrastructure, Crisis services, Out of Home Care Services and Education. Health will also receive $109 million in 2021-22, with $53.3 million delivered by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector. Read the full Interim Indigenous Expenditure Report at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/ier

Young people living in the Central West and Western NSW will be able to enjoy school holiday camps with friend’s thanks to the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway said the $10 million to expand the popular Holiday Break program will give back the fun, care-free experiences our kids missed out on during the lockdowns.

“COVID-19 has been incredibly tough on everyone but particularly our young people, which is why the NSW Government is broadening this fantastic program,” Mr Farraway said.

“Through this initiative, we will provide free or subsidised activities over the school holidays including the very popular barbeque music nights and sports camps.”

Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the past two years have tested our young people and programs like the Holiday Break program give kids something to look forward to.

“Across rural and regional NSW, the Holiday Break program has been a roaring success and we look forward to seeing our young people make the most of their summer holidays,” Mrs Taylor said.

Please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/holiday-fun-for-regional-youth

The electorate of Orange has secured $399,300 in funding for a total of seventeen projects through the NSW Government’s 2021 Community Building Partnership Program.

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP said the State Government funds will deliver much-needed improvements to local facilities including an amenities block refurbishment at the Spring Hill Recreation Ground, an expansion of the school to work program in Trundle and the purchase of a driving simulator in Parkes for the delivery of road safety education.

“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in our region,” Mr Donato said.

Forbes Polo Club Inc. was one of the successful applicants gaining funding for a vital equipment upgrade. The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 16,000 community projects since it commenced in 2009.

In 2022, there is $400,000 to allocate in each electorate. Applications for the 2022 Program open in early 2022.

For more information about the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program, visit www.nsw.gov.au/cbp

The team at Steele Technology have been busy constructing a new Wireless Internet service available throughout parts of Forbes and rural surrounding areas.

As the local IT shop and NBN reseller, they know firsthand what the services in our area can be like and how unreliable they can be. So they ventured on the path to build an alternative – A locally owned internet service provider, built from the ground up, focusing on friendly service, value and reliability.

After being able to secure a unique fiber service directly from Sydney to Forbes, Nathan and Mitch spent months building and testing before connecting the first customer. With more tower locations secured, they are looking forward to continuing to help our community with a better internet service.

Steele Technology have been able to provide a more reliable and faster option to over 200 businesses, families and rural properties alike – where previously some of these only had access to a satellite connection which was inadequate at the best of times, according to customers.

Their success has enabled them to employ a full time Installer John, and David a network engineer. Also having their current inhouse team of 11 staff to assist with all support and other enquiries.

For all of your IT solutions, call the friendly team at Steele Technology on 02 6852 3204, email them at sales@stech.com.au or call into the store at 126 Lachlan Forbes.

Woolworths Forbes is part of an ambitious donation target to raise the equivalent of seven million meals this Christmas to help support charity partner OzHarvest meet the demand for food relief statewide.

One in six Australian adults are now considered severely food insecure and more than half impacted by food insecurity go a day each week without eating.

To mark the seventh annual Christmas Appeal with OzHarvest, Woolworths NSW is aiming to join in achieving a record fundraising amount of $3.5million, in partnership with customers, to support Australian families in need; which is the equivalent of seven million meals.

Forbes Woolworths customers can now purchase a 50 cent token when they shop in-store or online which will help provide the equivalent of a meal to those in need of food relief across the country. Customers can also choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar, with proceeds going directly to the Christmas Appeal.

Additionally, another 50 cents will be donated from every limited edition, OzHarvest Santa Cookie sold in-store from 24 November, 2021. Woolworths has committed to a donation of $500,000 to kick off the appeal.

Since partnering with Woolworths, OzHarvest has collected more than 15 million kgs of food from stores, enabling the equivalent of 45 million meals to be delivered. Last year’s Woolworths Christmas Appeal raised the equivalent of six million meals that were donated to OzHarvest.
Please visit www.woolworths.com.au/shop/discover/community/ozharvest