Round Three of this fund will deliver crucial local infrastructure and programs to improve the quality of life of people living in regional NSW.

Since 2017, the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) has supported more than 1,000 local projects that make regional communities even better places to call home. In Round One, the NSW Government invested $100 million to improve community facilities such as town halls, recreation facilities, shared paths and playgrounds.

Through Round Two, the NSW Government invested a further $200 million to provide high quality community and sports-related infrastructure.

Round Three will provide an additional $100 million for community projects in regional NSW, with at least $50 million for youth-related projects. The third round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund increases the total value of the Regional Growth Fund to $1.7 billion.

Key changes Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Three:
• dedicates $50 million to youth related projects
• invites applications from councils and, for the first time, not-for-profit and community organisations
• has been expanded to cover programs and events as well as infrastructure
• has extended the application period to three months giving organisations time to submit their applications.

Key dates
• Applications opened 9am, Monday 1 July 2019
• Applications close 5pm, Friday 27 September 2019
• Eligibility, assessment and approval process October 2019 to January 2020
• Announcement of successful projects- From January 2020

To submit an application head to https://regionaldevelopment.smartygrants.com.au/SCCFProjectR3

Clayton Maynard recently caught this kingfish off north head in Sydney.

The NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, last week delivered the state’s budget. The following excerpts are just a few that are pertinent to the Forbes Shire.

DROUGHT
$355 million to extend critical drought assistance measures for farmers and rural communities, $170 million for the Drought Stimulus Packages, and $185 million in onfarm Emergency Drought Relief measures including continuing transport cost rebates and waiving annual land rates

ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER
$2 million over four years to establish an independent Agriculture Commissioner, with legislated powers to protect the Right to Farm, allowing farmers to undertake lawful agricultural practices whilst reducing conflict with other land users.

IMPROVING QUAD BIKE SAFETY FOR NSW FARMERS
$2.8 million over two years to extend the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, including rebates for farmers who prefer drones as alternatives to quad bikes.

ROADS AND TRANSPORT
Significant roads and infrastructure programs in 2019-20, including:
The $52.4 million allocation for continued delivery of overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway, and $200 million to reduce flooding on the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong.

STRONGER COUNTRY COMMUNITIESFUND

$100 million allocated for round three of the Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects and programs in the regions, including $50 million aimed at supporting young people.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BOOST

$30 million over four years to co-fund new on-demand clean energy projects with the private sector through the Emerging Energy Program, including $10 million to pilot initiatives to recycle and re-use materials in solar panels and battery systems.

Develop plans for projects to improve water security in regional communities, including fast tracking regional water strategies, with environmental and economic studies to commence this year. Investigate potential mass water infrastructure projects that will drought-proof Eastern Australia in the spirit of the Bradfield Scheme, contingent on matched funding from the Commonwealth and other states.
$170 million reserved for a special purpose Drought Infrastructure Package to fast track critical water and infrastructure projects.

Many local businesses, including Forbes Shire Council, closed their doors on June 20, to join together in the Rally at Forbes Hospital to protest recent changes to services at Parkes Hospital.

“You have full support from Council in keeping all our medical services here at Forbes,” declared Deputy Mayor, Jenny Webb, Radiologist with the Forbes Hospital.

“We are passionately against the downgrading of any services both here at Forbes or at Parkes Hospital.”

“WNSWHEALTH Management is suggesting that maternity services be downgraded at Parkes leaving Maternity patients to come to Forbes for delivery, and that Forbes Elective Theatre cases be performed in Parkes, leaving emergency surgery including caesareans at Forbes. Is this a trade-off, or a compromise?” Councillor Webb asked the crowd. “Downgrading both Forbes and Parkes Hospital has the potential to put birthing women at risk in emergency situations as it will reduce the availability of theatre services to the Forbes community, and cut the level of experienced and skilled theatre staff.”

Councillor Webb pledged that “Forbes Shire Council has and will continue to advocate at all political levels to ensure that there are no cuts to any of our medical services.”

Forbes local Allan Hicking has provided us with this wonderful class photograph that was taken at Forbes Catholic School when he was just eight years old. This photograph was taken around 1942.
Have you got an old photograph of a local person or a photograph of Forbes way back when? If so we would love to see it for our new feature “Way Back When”, simply email your photo and information to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

To celebrate the Scots All Saints College vision of developing well-rounded, community- minded young men and women of purpose who strive for excellence in all their pursuits All-Rounder Scholarships have been launched. Scholarships allow new students entering Years 5 through to 12 in 2020, the opportunity to showcase their commitment to doing their best in a range of activities including music, sport, agriculture and academics.

Scholarships are now open and students are invited to apply in writing with copies of their latest school reports, NAPLAN results, references and a short letter on why they would like to join our College community.

We understand that choosing a boarding school can be a challenging decision so the College is offering students to come for a visit to ‘Try us’. A ‘Try Boarding Sleepover’ will be held on Sunday 23 June, 2019, to give students the idea of boarding, followed by a ‘Try Senior School’ day on Monday 24 June. These events allow students to experience the facilities that are available on our senior campus, talk with teachers and discover a day in the life of a boarder.

All-Rounder Scholarships and the Extended Boarder Family Package are now available for a limited time only. Places are limited for try day experiences, so please register your interest now. Please go to www.scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au/tryus

The Fair Work Commission announced recently its annual wage review under the Fair Work Act 2009. All Australian employees who are on Federal Awards will be affected by this rise:

• the National minimum wage is set to increase to $740.80 per week or $19.49 per hour (up 3%);
• Modern Award minimum wages will increase by 3%;
• The National Training wage will increase by 3%;
• Modern Award minimum wages for those employees with a disability, and for those with training arrangements will increase by 3%; and
• Classifications under the various awards will also increase.

Employers – Who is affected, what do they need to do and when?

Employers will be required to review the employment contracts of any employees that are paid wages at the minimum wage (or within 3% of that), or are under a modern award or other industrial instrument such as an Enterprise Agreement.

This increase must take effect in the pay period on or after the 1st July 2019.

Employers should also make sure that they are paying their employees under the correct Award and are paying under the correct classification under the award.

Failure to comply may not only incur large payments of back pay, but in some cases employers may also suffer a large fine imposed  by the Courts.

If we at MATTHEWS WILLIAMS can help you on any legal matter, feel free to call us.