Forbes residents and holidaymakers planning a long weekend getaway are being reminded that double demerit points will be enforced.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said: “For many, this long weekend will be the first opportunity to travel further afield since the COVID-19 travel restrictions were eased. I want to remind all drivers, that the road safety risks are still the same.”

“The double demerit point period will be in place for four days, commencing on Friday, 5 June and ending on Monday, 8 June,” Melanie said.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling says Operation Stay Alert will run over the June long weekend.

“Highway Patrol will have a strong presence across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas this long weekend. We will be paying more attention to drink drivers and ask those intending to consume alcohol to take advantage of the local taxi service or use a designated driver,” Martin said.

With the cold weather predicted over the long weekend, driving conditions have changed with wet, slippery roads and increased traffic expected. Police are urging drivers to exercise extra caution.

It was a sight for sore eyes for parents to wave their children off on Monday morning as Forbes students joined thousands across NSW in returning to school full time for face-to-face learning.

In a move towards easing restrictions and slowly returning to life as we knew it, school students will not need to follow the strict distancing guidelines however, good hygiene practices such as regularly washing hands, not sharing food and drinks, and sneezing into a tissue have been implemented.

Teachers were relieved to have their students back and spent the week easing their students back into a regular routine, with the exception of some activities like drinking from the bubbler and attending assemblies and excursions. School libraries and non-contact sport, however, has been enthusiastically resumed with many students ecstatic to catch up with and to play with their friends after nearly two months spent learning from home.

Schools across the Forbes Shire are set to receive additional cleaning supplies to meet with the guidelines and advice from NSW Health. Door handles, handrails, hard surfaces, light switches, and other frequently handled areas will be targeted for regular cleaning.

Forbes has received another major economic shot in the arm with the Federal Government agreeing to fund job-creating projects worth a total of $1 million through the Drought Communities Programme (DCP). Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said eight projects had been approved. “This is fantastic news for Forbes, which I know has made the most out of $1 million it received last year under an earlier round of the Drought Communities Programme,” Michael said.

News of the project’s approval follows Michael announcing last week that Forbes Shire Council would receive $1,222,566 as part of a $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of Council’s 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment. The DCP project’s approval was welcomed by Forbes Mayor, Councillor Phyllis Miller OAM, who said Forbes was still suffering the consequences of four years of drought. She said the first round of funding and projects had created jobs. “Some farmers have even gained full-time work out of it, so that in itself is fantastic,” adding that local tradespeople have also gained work through the DCP. “We are mindful of getting local people involved in the build.”

Proposed DCP projects include support for the next Get Up & Go Garema gathering, upgrades to Jenny Murphy Park, kerb parking along Junction Street and the construction of a 45-space car park at Lions Park precinct. Upgrades to lighting, power supply, seating and heritage components at the Victoria Park Rotunda, expansion and repair of the toddlers play area at Forbes Olympic Pool, restoration and beautification works at Templar Street, installation of water stations around the five kilometre walking track and water saving initiatives at Forbes Cemetery.

Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP is calling on the NSW Government to reinstate council elections, so that local communities’ democratic voice is returned and they can elect representatives to initiate recovery and renewal.

With communities across regional NSW suffering the economic consequences from years of devastating drought, unprecedented bushfires and now COVID-19, communities deserve to have their voices heard in order to rebuild local economies.

Philip expressed that the pandemic has caused the NSW Government to make many rapid decisions, however, postponing the September 2020 Local Government elections for 12 months is a decision that Philip feels was made with unnecessary haste.

“To delay democracy for a whole year will delay economic healing and development, such a lengthy delay is unnecessary and no longer justifiable, we have the capability to conduct elections in a safe manner, by following health advice and adhering to social distancing at booths,” Philip said.

Philip went on to say that “as public health order restrictions continue to ease, there is no further need of delaying Local Government elections.”

Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) Manager, Cassi Walmsley, urges users of the facility to remain patient as they navigate their way through Stage One of the recovery from the Coronavirus restrictions.

Several measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of users, employees and the community. As the National cabinet eases the restrictions all considerations are being made by Forbes Shire Council to secure the industry moving forward.

“We are in phase one of returning to the new normal,” says Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane.

“From Monday, 1st June we are allowing farmers an inspection hour before the sale to inspect the stock and then give direction to their agent. They then will be asked to vacate the yards prior to the sale commencing.”

Every person entering the CWLE site must complete a signed COVID-19 declaration as well as completed an induction.

“We understand the public’s frustration at not being able to be a part of the excitement of sale day, however these processes are important controls to ensure we do provide a safe environment for all those in the vicinity. Livestock carriers are to leave the site once unloaded and if you are not essential to the sale please remain at home,” said Steve, who also asked those with flulike symptoms to stay at home.

The Canteen facility will be open with a maximum of 10 people allowed in the building at a time. Cattle sale inspections are 7.15am to 8.15am on Mondays and sheep sale inspection times are 9.15am to 10.15am on Tuesdays.

For further information please contact Central West Livestock Exchange Manager Cassi Walmsley on 6850 2300.