Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, urges parents, carers and drivers to be mindful of safety and changes to traffic conditions as school commences.

The new school year resumed for thousands of local students this week and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably.” Melanie went on to remind drivers to slow down, pay attention and demonstrate patience when school resumes and there are more cars, buses and cyclists on our streets, as well as young pedestrians crossing the street.

It is important that drivers obey parking signs around schools, remembering that they cannot stop in a ‘No Stopping’ zone, however it is allowed for a driver to drop-off or pick-up passengers in a ‘No Parking’ zone as long as they are only there for two minutes and are no more than three meters away from the car. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns.

There are many crimes or offences. A lot are contained in the Crimes Act but many more are contained in other statutes both of the State and Federal Parliaments. The range of offences vary from murder down to parking.

Most criminal matters are commenced by the Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions by way of Court Attendance Notices (formerly known as Police Charges/ Summonses) and those charged with an offence will appear firstly before a magistrate sitting in a local court. In some cases, issues of bail may need to be considered.

Magistrates deal with over 90% of criminal matters summarily but the more serious offences are committed to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial before a judge and/or jury.

Unlike civil matters, criminal matters must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ having regard to the elements of the offence. This is when a solicitor’s professional knowledge becomes essential for the client (i.e. the person charged with an offence).

Police will normally have a fact sheet (which is not evidence but outlines the Police case) on the occasion of the first appearance before the court. With the fact sheet and instructions from the client, this will help the solicitor in deciding whether to advise the client to plead guilty or not guilty having regard to the elements of the offence. Sometimes an adjournment is necessary to obtain further information.

Once a plea is entered, the magistrate may adjourn the matter for hearing, sentence the client, commit the client for trial in a higher court or other options which may depend on the seriousness of the offence and the previous criminal history of the client.

Arts OutWest have granted a share of $19,000 in funding for arts projects across the Central West with Forbes receiving funding for two out of seven projects in the region. With an aim to provide arts activities to communities in regional NSW, the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) 2020 will support the implementation of screen printing and Wiradjuri language activities in Forbes, as well as drumming and music activities for children.

By encouraging communities to work together on cross cultural artistic projects, CASP supports cultural diversity within communities and ensures that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice.

Some of the projects receiving funding are fibre weaving and art installation workshops with young people in Spring Terrace, creative arts activities for LGBTQIA identifying women in Bathurst and skills workshops for visual artists in Canowindra.

Arts OutWest is a regional arts development organisation servicing Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin. Arts OutWest Executive Director Tracey Callinan said, “These seven projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They also provide employment opportunities to local artists.”

Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller, ARTC Chairman Warren Truss and ARTC Managing Director and CEO John Fullerton.

Nineteen initiatives were announced last week to improve the wellbeing of regional communities in which Inland Rail will operate. From new student laptops, events to break the cycle of isolation for farmers and bringing the magic of Dolly Parton to Narromine, Round three of the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program has seen more than $55,000 allocated to benefit schools, community groups and associations in regional communities across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Inland Rail Director of Engagement, Environment and Property Rebecca Pickering said the program’s success along the whole rail corridor had provided a well-deserved funding boost to worthy initiatives which build community prosperity.

“Delivering Inland Rail is only possible in partnership with the communities in which we operate and supporting our communities’ sustainability is paramount.” According to Rebecca, “A key commitment of Inland Rail

is to leave a positive legacy along the rail corridor and the Community Sponsorships and Donations program is just one example of how we seek to ensure regional communities benefit from this unique project.”

So far, more than $180,000 has been allocated to a range of events, projects and community activities in different communities. In the third round, Forbes Public School P&C Association Inc. have been successful in their application for a grant to purchase five laptops for student classroom use. Additionally, Eugowra Rugby League Club were successful in gaining funding for grandstand seating at their Rugby League Club.

Local business could be in for a boost by registering their interest in the Inland Rail project. A regional supplier briefing will be held for local businesses on Tuesday, 4 February from 6pm–8pm at Forbes Services Memorial Club. Local business owners can register online at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/S2P to attend the briefing and learn more about how to tender for work.