The economic benefits of the Inland Rail continue to flow with up to 16 new jobs created in the Forbes and Parkes region.

Two local companies have been awarded Inland Rail contracts totalling about $7 million work to supply ballast and capping for the project’s first stage in NSW.

Calvani Crushing in Forbes has been awarded a $4.8 million contract to supply more than 150,000 tonnes of ballast and 75,000 tonnes of capping; while Ausrock Quarries near Parkes has been awarded a $2.1 million contract to supply more than 45,000 tonnes of ballast and 45,000 tonnes of capping. This product will be delivered over the next 12 to 18 months.

Inland Rail CEO, Richard Wankmuller said the first track for Inland Rail will be laid later this year between Parkes and Narromine and there is now a steady stream of supply contracts bringing jobs and opportunities to various parts of Australia.

“This is just the beginning job-wise. Inland Rail is gathering momentum each day and is delivering on its great potential.

It’s expected to deliver 16,000 new jobs at peak construction, and an average of 700 additional jobs a year over the entire programme,” said Richard.

Ballast is the small rocks that lie underneath, between and around railway sleepers. Capping is the smaller crushed rock that sits underneath the upper layer of larger rock to form the track foundation. Together, they fix the track in position, allow for drainage and reduce vegetation growth. Calvani Crushing Managing Director, John Calvani praised Inland Rail for its strong focus on local industry participation.

“The Inland Rail contract is the biggest we’ve been awarded and it’s an advantage for everyone to source these products locally. It’s allowed us to create new jobs and it provides a good income for these people,” said John.

The Forbes Business Chamber will be delivering Customer Experience and Product Ambassador workshops for Forbes business owners and their staff. “The programmed workshops are free,” said Marg Duggan. “The Chamber only requires people to book into one of the workshops.”

In 2017 it was highlighted to the Forbes Business Chamber that each and every business in Forbes needed to revisit their customer service standards and techniques.

The need for uniform customer service that is proactive, consistent, offers positive experiences and encourages return visitation and spend was discussed at length with Forbes Shire Council and the Chamber Executive.

Forbes Business Chamber currently hosts Biz Viz which involves a business opening their doors so others can understand what this business has to offer. Biz Viz will be used and face to face interaction.

The philosophy of the Customer Experience and Product Ambassador training will be the delivery of a program that addresses all of the above areas and encourages delivery of visitor information. Each and every participating business will become an ambassador of Forbes and confident in delivering a high level of customer service and customer satisfaction.

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL), Forbes Shire Council, Planet Ark and Toyota are inviting Forbes Shire residents to take part in a local National Tree Day event.

The National Tree Day event is taking place at the intersection of the northern end of Lake Forbes, at the Herbert Street end of Hill Street, on Saturday, 28th July. Activities start from 10am and there will be a bbq lunch. Please bring a chair to join with the group for lunch at the completion of planting.

“National Tree Day is a timely opportunity to connect with the community, reflect on what’s been achieved through previous plantings and continue to care for our local environment,” said CWLL Chairperson, Margot Jolly.

National Tree Day is Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event. Each year over 300,000 people take part in National Tree Day events at 3,000 sites. The campaign has spanned 22 years and lead to the planting of over 24 million trees, and Planet Ark is asking Australians to band together to plant a million more this year.

Existing research and feedback show participants feel healthier, happier and more connected to their communities by helping plant in and maintain their local green spaces.

Their newest research, via Pollinate, found 62 percent of Australians wish they had at least 30 minutes more time in nature per day, and only a third realised they could enhance their time outdoors by using smartphone apps such as plant identifiers and nature trail maps.

Landcare Co-ordinator, Marg Applebee explained “Central West Lachlan Landcare is pleased to be working with Forbes Arts and Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, with the support of Forbes Shire Council and we look forward to continuing the fantastic work that has already been achieved through these community planting days.”

To register for National Tree Day, please visit treeday.planetark.org

A road upgrade to create a major heavy vehicle route linking the Newell Highway to busy grain handling facilities at Wirrinya is now complete. Local Nationals’ MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said the Federal Government provided $800,000 to the project under Round 5 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).

“The Newell Highway is a critical freight artery for the Riverina and Central West, as well as one of Australia’s busiest highways,” said Michael.

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey said the upgrade was part of the NSW Government’s commitment to improving regional freight links through the Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads program. “The $4.4 million Newell Highway to Wirrinya Heavy Vehicle Route Upgrade was awarded $2.8 million under Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads, including $1.8 million to Forbes Shire Council and $1 million to Weddin Shire Council.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless said a 12.6 kilometre section of the road was widened, had its culverts strengthened, intersections realigned and rail crossings improved to allow access for an increased number of heavy vehicles.

The free Child Restraint Checking Day earlier this month, a service provided by Forbes Shire Council, discovered that 86 percent of the child restraints checked were fitted incorrectly.

The service provided free child restraint inspections at Forbes Pre School Kindergarten by local RMS authorised child restraint fitters, Jelbart Dawson and Forbes Auto Electrical Service.

Fifteen child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking, two child restraints were installed and one was turned around.

Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said the annual Child Restraint Checking Day event continues to be extremely popular.

“This year we were trialling a new format by going to where the children are to offer the free checks. We held a parents/carers session, followed by an open session. It was very successful! There were a large number of bookings but equally as many people who dropped in for the free check or asked about having their child restraints checked whilst dropping off their children.

We will be offering the service at other childcare centres in the coming years.”

“Most of the child restraints that were checked had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child. The most common mistakes were that the seatbelt needed tightening, a gated buckle was needed, the seatbelt was twisted or wasn’t used correctly with the child restraint, the shoulder straps needed adjustment and there wasn’t a large enough gap between the back of the front seat and the child restraint,” said Melanie.

National child restraints laws have been in effect in NSW since 2010. Children are required to be seated in an approved child restraint, appropriate for their size until they are seven years of age.