Forbes Shire Council is encouraging business owners to register for a free Bin Trim Waste Assessment to help take the hassle out of waste management.

“Commercial waste is such a burden on businesses,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“It’s expensive, takes up valuable space in your premises and it’s not very good for our environment. Bin Trim is a great NSW Government initiative that helps businesses reduce waste sent to landfill and maximises recycling through waste assessments and rebates. This scheme can arm businesses with essential recycling equipment to make their jobs easier and save the planet,” Phyllis said.

“Around 70 percent of the materials in a business’s general waste can be recycled or reused. This includes cardboard, paper, plastic and even food waste,” said Mayor Miller. “Your business may also be eligible for a rebate of $1000 – $50,000 to help with the purchase of recycling equipment.”

On completion of the assessment by Bin Trim, each business will receive a custom-made action plan that identifies waste streams that can be diverted and recommendations on how to get there.

For more information contact Council’s Waste and Environmental Specialist on 6850 2300.

In welcome news for Eugowra residents, the NSW Government will provide $16,753 for a new undercover seating area for the Eugowra Showground in the latest round of the COVID-19 showground stimulus program in what is a real boost for sport and community groups in the town.

Newly promoted NSW National’s Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said the latest allocation is part of $16.7 million being distributed state-wide for the benefit of many communities.

“Local showgrounds are multi-use facilities used for a variety of activities such as agricultural shows, rodeos and horse clubs, markets, festivals, men’s sheds, sport and recreation, and caravanning and camping as well,” Mr Farraway said.

“During bushfires and floods, many also serve as emergency centres for residents, animals, firefighters and other support services, so we want them in good shape.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said a total of $72.47 million

Clarissa Peasley, 18, and Campbell Rubie, 16, are the New South Wales state finalists at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals to be held at the Royal Queensland Show in August.

Clarissa will be smack bang in the middle of her HSC during the competition, leaving her English exam to fly to Brisbane and return in time for her Chemistry exam.

Hailing from Forbes in NSW, Clarissa has always had a passion for agriculture. “I’m off a mixed enterprise farm which is where I found my natural passion for agriculture and livestock. I am currently in year 12 doing my final months before I graduate,” Clarissa said. “I have a strong passion for the sheep industry and ten years from now I hope to have made an impact in the agricultural industry,” she said.

“I started doing shows with my show team in high school at Red Bend Catholic College, my previous high school, then in year 10 I moved schools to St Pauls College in Walla Walla for their amazing agriculture program and started on their sheep show team,” Clarissa said. “Emma Finemore, my previous show team teacher, has also been incredibly influential”.

When she went to her first Sydney Royal in 2019, she became the youngest to place in the competition. “I was awarded fifth and I only just got into the age bracket because I was turning 15 in the next month. I was still 14 when I competed,” she said.

“I hope my involvement in shows and competing helps me to establish a career once I graduate this year”.

For Campbell Rubie meanwhile, who is in Year 11 at Red Bend, to be a finalist was equally as humbling. “My dad and brother have been a great influence on my judging and I am very grateful”.

NSW businesses impacted by COVID may be entitled to small business grants according to NSW National’s Sam Farraway MLC.

“As a member of parliament who ran a small business in the region for many years before entering parliament, I know firsthand how our small businesses are the backbone of our regional communities,” Mr Farraway said.

“I understand how important it is to support our small businesses to get through the restrictions imposed during the current COVID outbreak in NSW. I have been in discussions with the Deputy Premier over the past two days about appropriate pack-ages of support,” he said. “I welcome the NSW Treasurers strong and swift support package announced today”.

The NSW Governments Small Business support package includes numerous benefits for small local businesses and operators are encouraged to check if they qualify:

• Dine & Discover vouchers extended to 31 August, and can now be used for takeaway – including where food is di-rectly delivered to your home from the venue;

• Small Business Support Grant for businesses and sole traders employing less than 20 FTE, depending on turnover decline. -$10,000 for a 70% decline -$7,000 for a 50% decline -$5,000 for a 30% decline;

• Hospitality and Tourism Grant, available to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an Australian wages bill of below$10 million, depending on turnover decline. -$10,000 for a 70% decline -$7,000 for a 50% decline -$5,000 for a 30 % decline;

• More than $11 million for increased support for people at risk of homelessness;

• Optional deferral of payroll tax payments due in July 2021.

“I would encourage impacted businesses to contact Service NSW to gain access to this support package”.

It has sat unoccupied for almost 20 years but not for much longer. The former Forbes and District Ambulance Station is now one step closer to becoming a cultural and arts centre, with the Development Application for the site progressing to the final stage.

Forbes Arts Society Chair Dr Karen Ritchie said, “since purchasing 110 Lachlan Street in December 2019, the Forbes Arts Society has been working closely with Source Architects to develop a final design for the building in consultation with key project partners and the wider community.”

The FAS vision is to develop the site into a vibrant, civic hub.

“We want a space that encourages locals and visitors to create, share and experience art and culture as well as meet, gather and connect with one another,” Dr Ritchie said.

“The design is an adaptive reuse of this prominent local building – sensitive to the site’s Local Heritage Significance status, whilst incorporating a beautiful yet functional contemporary extension.”

The distinctive two-storey building, located on the corner of Court and Lachlan Streets, was originally occupied by the Bank of Australasia before the Ambulance Service took possession of the site in 1944. On 25 October 2001, the building was extensively damaged by fire. Due to the damage caused, the Forbes and District Ambulance Service relocated to a temporary station up at the Forbes Hospital.

A second fire on 31 October 2001 gutted the building, and it has remained unoccupied since.

The Forbes Cultural Centre development is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the La-chlan Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

For more information about the project and to view the proposed plans, visit www.forbesartssociety.com