The very first Australian National Field Days (ANFD) at Borenore were celebrated 66 years ago in 1952 – as a one-day event only.

“We are committed to advancing Australian agriculture and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to do that, whether that be through utilising new technology and social media, or simply moving part of our event to a weekend so people who work off-farm can attend,” said Administration Manager Jayne West.

A big key to this year’s event is ensuring that there is something on offer for the whole family.

There will be entertainment for everyone with music playing throughout the day from Mickey Pye, Casey McFarlane and The Hewitt’s. There will also be a jumping castle, camel rides and a high adrenaline action show from Flair Action Riders.

This year’s feature exhibit is one to be enjoyed by all, the Australian Stock Horse Society. They will be conducting talks throughout the three-day field day about their importance to agriculture and will inform the public about products and services they may not have known about.

“Livestock and grazing are very important here, and we are on the fringe of a very large cropping area. There’s a lot of horticulture in the region with apples and cherries and viticulture is another area rapidly growing,” said Jayne.

The Australian National Field Days will be held from Thursday, 26th to Saturday, 28th October 2017, at 563 Borenore Road, Borenore. Gates will open at 8:30am and close at 5pm over the three days. A full program is available online.

To all our Phoenix readers, don’t forget to enter our competition to go into the draw to win a double pass to the ANFD.

Opportunities for improving water security for urban and rural water users were put on the table at last month’s meeting of mayors from Cowra, Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan

Shires with Lachlan Valley Water.

Lachlan Valley Water (LVW) chair Tom Green, said the prosperity of the whole region is closely tied to both healthy towns and a successful agricultural sector.

“Since the Millennium Drought it’s been apparent that water security is limiting economic development in the towns, industry, mining and agricultural sectors of the Lachlan Valley.”

“With irrigated agriculture worth $400- $530 million per year to the regional economy it’s critical that we work together as a region to ensure confidence in the industry and improve water security for all our communities.”

Recognising the vulnerability of the Lachlan catchment, the NSW Government is currently investigating a range of options to significantly improve water security and flood management in the Lachlan through its Lachlan Valley Water Security Investigations.

The meeting agreed that how water is managed in the valley is a key factor with the development of the Lachlan Water Resource Plan providing an opportunity to improve reliability of supply for irrigators.

The arrival of the nbn network in Forbes will deliver huge opportunities for local homes and businesses to transform the way they operate.

A total of 3,100 homes and businesses in Forbes will be able to access the speedy nbn network via Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology.

Mike Marom, Telstra Area General Manager for Northern NSW, said the nbn network is one of the most talked about digital developments to hit Australia, and its arrival in Forbes will mark the beginning of a new digital era.

“Individuals, communities and businesses are becoming increasingly digital-dependent. We’re streaming more video content than ever, uploading huge amounts of data and, by 2021 households are expected to own an average of 30 connected smart devices.

“It means one of the kids will be able to stream Netflix on the tablet while another watches a movie on the Telstra TV, and the Buy back items made from recycled materials parents can be working online on the laptop, all at the same time with a reliable connection,” explains Mike.

Telstra is also reminding those living and working in Forbes that switching to the nbn network will not happen automatically. Customers will have 18 months to contact their network provider to arrange moving across to the new network, after which existing landline, data and internet services will be disconnected

“We want everybody in the Forbes area to be able to start benefitting from the nbn network as soon as possible. So, now is the time to speak to your network provider about starting the switch on process,” said Mike.

To find out how to switch to the nbn network visit telstra.com/nbn. Telstra’s NBN Experience Van will be in Forbes from Tuesday, 17th till Friday, 20th October from 9am- 5pm daily, Victoria Park, Harold St Forbes.

Canowindra is the place to be next weekend if you are a lover of baroque music.

There is a global revival of interest in this fabulous genre of European music from 17th and 18th century Europe and England, and five superb musician groups and songsters will be filling the cafes, Wallington and Rosnay wineries and All Saints Church of Canowindra with music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, Monteverdi, Purcell, Byrd, Tavener, Mendelessohn, Pachelbel, Corelli and others.

The official opening by Baroquefest’s glamorous patron, former ABC Classic FM radio presenter Marian Arnold, coincides with the Canowindra Arts exhibition opening at Montrose House at 5pm on Friday 13th October. The opening concert at 7:30pm at All Saints will be by the Song Company from Sydney, Australia’s leading acapella group.

Saturday afternoon will see the Blue Mountains- based Academy Singers directed by Dr Paul Terracini with pianist Jane Andino playing All Saints’ historic concert grand piano, built in 1956 for Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s famous director Isador Goodman.

On Saturday evening virtuoso baroque violinist Rachael Beesley will play Inspirations of JS Bach, Invisible Dances, interspersed with solo works by Australian composers for the violin.

Sunday lunch at Wallington Winery will have the Canberra-based Limestone Consort. Violins, cello and harpsichord will explore the trio sonata. Sunday evening dinner at Rosnay has Sydney’s Muffat Collective with harpsichord and baroque violins playing baroque sonatas. Baroquefest’s artistic director violinist Andrew Baker from Orange will play with both of these wonderful ensembles on Sunday.

In addition 150 students from the region attend special education sessions at All Saints, conducted by Rachael Beesley, one of Australia’s most accomplished violinists.

Ticket packages with various inclusions and individual concert tickets can be purchased on-line at www.baroquefest.org. au. Email baroquefest@gmail.com or ring 0429 443 215 for further information.

Daisy Hannah Miller McMillan was born 19th July weighing 7lb10oz at the Forbes Hospital. Daisy is the fourth child of Brad and Gabe McMillan of Forbes and the newest grandchild for Kevin and

Phyllis Miller and Jayne and Neil McMillan.

Rural landfills in the Forbes Shire will soon have changed operating hours or will be closed to provide a sustainable future in dealing with waste compliance and environmental enhancement.

Bedgerabong and Garema landfills will be open limited hours and staffed while open, Ootha will be controlled via an agreed access system with residents and Wirrinya and Warroo landfills will be mothballed.

These changes will come into effect from Monday, 6th November 2017.

“Rural tips across the Forbes Shire are closing or altering their mode of operation and this is to encourage recycling, improve waste disposal, increase the life of existing landfills and to comply with legislation,” Forbes Shire Council’s Acting General Manager Max Kershaw said.

“Council has weighed the views of residents against the potential consequences of unrestricted and uncontrolled access to the Shire’s landfills. We understand that not all residents will welcome this decision but we cannot continue to expose ratepayers to the level of risk that the status quo entails,” Max said.

The NSW Environmental Protection Agency tightened its Solid Waste Guidelines in 2016 and has cracked down on asbestos, tyres and other problem waste materials. In the last few years a number of infringement notices have been issued to regional Councils and more compliance officers employed. Fines for non-compliance can run as high as $1,000,000 per day.

“As well as being compliant with the Solid Waste Guidelines, we also don’t want to see our villages become a dumping ground for asbestos, tyres and chemicals,” Max said.

“Uncontrolled and unregulated access to tips leaves Forbes Shire Council and the broader community in an extremely vulnerable position and we have to take these measures to safeguard residents.

“This is not about restricting waste disposal; it is about better management of our waste facilities and safeguarding the local environment.”

 

 

 

Car lover Sharon Rosser from Orange was the winner of the Best Engine Bay award with her 1978 Ford Escort at the Forbes Motorshow on Sunday.

Sharon has had the car since she was 16 years old and has been building it with her father and mother’s support for 8 years now. “We go to local shows and like doing charities. The main shows we’ve been to is Summernats, where we’ve been a two time winner back to back,” said Sharon.

Consultants Group GSA and AP Sheere were set to start work on the Forbes CBD master plan this week.

The consultants were selected by Forbes Shire Council’s CBD Working Group after 13 responses to the request for quotation were received.

Group GSA and AP Sheere have 32 years of project management experience, specialist expertise and experience in CBD master planning which includes Riverstone Town Centre, Georges River Precinct, Ramsgate Village Centre, Strathfield Square and Ramsgate Beach Town Centre.

The Forbes CBD master plan is expected to take about six months to complete and will include community consultation on 1st and 2nd November.

The community consultation will include workshops and a community walk through the CBD.

Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller said the CBD master plan would provide a long-term vision of how the town centre will look and function in the future.

“We are pleased to have consultants Group GSA and AP Sheere to work on the plan,” Graeme said.

“The plan will have a 10 to 15 year timeframe and will include economic and tourism opportunities and an urban design and revitalisation strategy including landscape improvements.”

Forbes Business Chamber Vice President Marg Duggan said the Chamber was extremely pleased the Forbes CBD master plan was being created.

“The beautification of the CBD and having a long term plan in place will be beneficial for Forbes businesses and the community,” Marg said.

“The Forbes Business Chamber is really enthusiastic to be one of the major stakeholders involved in the process of the master plan.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is reminding Mid Lachlan Valley Team (Parkes, Lachlan, Weddin and Forbes LGA) residents that fire permits are required during the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period.

NSW RFS District Manager Superintendent Ken Neville said hotter and drier conditions mean fires are more likely to start and spread quickly during the Bush Fire Danger Period, which officially began on 1st October.

“From now until the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period, people wishing to light a fire in the open will require a permit, which are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or Fire Control Centre,” Ken said.

“When conditions are particularly bad, such as on days of Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger, the NSW RFS may declare a Total Fire Ban, prohibiting the lighting of any fire in the open, even if you have a fire permit.”

On a day of Total Fire Ban the lighting of fires is prohibited. This includes cooking fires using incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, such as wood or charcoal.

Gas or electric barbecues are permitted under the following conditions: they are on residential property within 20 metres of the house or dwelling; they are in a picnic area and the appliance is approved by Council, National Parks and Wildlife Services or State Forest; they are under the direct control of a responsible adult; the ground around a barbecue is cleared for 2 metres of all material which could burn and you have an immediate and continuous supply of water available.

“We urge all residents in the Mid Lachlan Valley Team area to be vigilant and extremely careful with fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period,” Ken said.

“Every resident should have a Bush Fire Survival Plan so they know what to do on days of increased fire danger and can immediately put their plan into action if their home is threatened by fire.”

Information about Total Fire Ban declarations is published at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Locals can also call the Forbes Fire Control Centre on 02 6851 1541 or the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).