Senior Constable Baldwin from Parkes Highway Patrol is one of many on local roads to enforce safe driving.

As we get ready to celebrate Australia Day and with school holidays coming to an end for thousands of local students, drivers are being reminded that double demerit points will be in force for five days.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that double demerit points would be in force from Friday, 22 January to Tuesday, 26 January for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

“Please drive safely and take extra care on the roads this holiday period. Driving over the speed limit to save a couple of minutes, pushing on driving when you are tired, answering your mobile phone whilst behind the wheel and driving after a few drinks isn’t worth the risk of not arriving at all,” Melanie said.

“We all have a part to play in reducing the number of crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, don’t drink and drive, limit distractions in the car and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelt,” Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said.

Australia Day celebrations will look very different in 2021, and Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM is calling on residents to tune in to a virtual celebration this year.

“COVID-19 restrictions have made this year’s event a virtual one, which I know the Forbes community will embrace nonetheless,” says Phyllis. “Celebrating our amazing citizens is so important, we couldn’t miss this opportunity. So, this year we will be live streaming the awards on Facebook and celebrating their wonderful achievements with a private ceremony.

“It is unfortunate we couldn’t all join together in person this year, but we really need to continue our great work in staying healthy and safe. We do invite you all to visit our beautiful waterways and grab a bite to eat at the various food vans which will be placed around the Lake and the Ski Dam, Lions and Rotary Parks and near the Waterpark during the day. We really are so lucky to have the Lake in our town and we want you all to enjoy it on this significant day of Australia Day.”

At 6pm the Awards ceremony will be broadcast via Facebook and the awards will include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Senior Citizen of the Year.

“I look forward to sharing the evening with our nominees, as well as their family and friends in a private function,” said Phyllis, “the awards will be broadcast live on Facebook to ensure the whole community knows how great our citizens really are.”

The Fireworks display will also be broadcast live from the Forbes Shire Council Facebook page at 9pm. Pet owners are being urged to restrain animals during this time to ensure pets do not panic roam from home.

The guidelines for Round Five of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) have been released and Riverina and Central West communities are being urged to apply, with applications open until Friday, 5 March.

“The Australian Government is supporting regional communities across the nation with a particular focus in this round on regional tourism,” Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said.

“The Building Better Regions Fund has supported several infrastructure projects across the Riverina and Central West with more than $26 million being delivered through the first four rounds of the program, including upgrades to the main streets of Forbes, Cowra, Gundagai and Parkes, a new medical hub in Grenfell and upgrading the original Temora Aerodrome runway and associated main apron and taxiways.”

There is $100 million available for tourism-related infrastructure to get regional tourism back on its feet, while $100 million is available for broader community infrastructure and investment.

The guidelines can be found at www.business.gov.au/bbrf. Applications are open from 12 January 2021 until 5 March 2021. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in mid-2021.

Adam Tandy and Tim Wood from Outback Soils in Forbes are one of the local contractors working on the Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project.

The $7 million Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project is set to transform our region’s tourism landscape. While still only in the early stages of delivery, the project is already having a positive impact on the regional economy with a number of local businesses involved in the construction phase.

The project includes the redevelopment of Gum Swamp reserve, the commissioning of 20 new sculptures to extend the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) public art trail, and the construction of a new Cultural and Arts Centre.

As part of the Gum Swamp redevelopment, Midpro Engineering in Forbes fabricated the two-storey frames for the new bird hides, before sending off to Cowra’s Central Plate and Gal to be galvanised.

Midpro owner Ian ‘Bart’ Bartholomaeus said, “Our team at Midpro have really enjoyed being involved with this project. We have almost completed all the components  for the three new bird hides and are preparing to start the on-site works now that harvest has wrapped up, beginning with the footing foundations.”

Installation of the new hides is anticipated to be complete by March 2021. Outback Soils in Forbes will then carry out the re- remaining work on the walkways, handrails, and concrete seating.

Outback Soils are also working in partnership with landscape architect, Outscape from Grenfell on the landscaping for the Sculpture Down the Lachlan extension and the Albion Park redevelopment. The custom SDL concrete blocks that feature at each site were designed and manufactured by Outback Soils owner, Tim Wood.

Orange-based consultants, Source Architects were engaged earlier this year to re-develop the former Forbes Ambulance Station on the corner of Lachlan and Church Streets into a Cultural and Arts Centre, and construction is due to commence mid-2021.

Director of Source Architects, Sally Sutherland said, “Progress on the design of the Cultural and Arts Centre is well under-way, with plans to be lodged to Forbes Shire Council for Development Application early in the new year.

“The design incorporates a multifunctional room, gallery shop and a 32-seat café on the lower level with additional outdoor dining and a takeaway service. The main gallery and a meeting space will be located on the upper floor.”

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “Engaging local suppliers and contractors, where possible, is part of our vision to diversify our rural economy, build economic resilience, and grow our Shire’s reputation as a vibrant and thriving place to live, work, visit and invest.”

The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

The project aims to foster visual arts throughout the Forbes Shire, grow the visitor economy and promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

Outback Soils designed and manufactured the custom Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) concrete blocks that will feature at the entrance of every sculpture site.

The big surprise at the Forbes North Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) Playgroup, CatholicCare Playgroup and Rhyme Time Christmas Party was that Santa made it through quarantine in time to bring some Christmas cheer to the party. The families were delighted to see Santa, who delivered Christmas cheer and books to all of the children. Santa’s helpers Tash, Maree, Candice, and Lucy were on board to help with delivering presents and providing some Christmas activities and morning tea. “What a lovely way to end the year,” said Maree Yapp from Forbes North SaCC, “I was so excited to see Santa, especially this year.”

Playgroups and Rhyme Time will be back in February in 2021 and there will be an activity every week day for families with young children. “I am looking forward to 2021 and working with the families again” said Tash Harris from CatholicCare. The team from Forbes North SaCC and CatholicCare look forward to working with the Forbes community again next year and wish everyone a very merry Christmas.