Forbes Phoenix

Mayoral Notes

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This week we have received reports of minor flooding in our Shire and it is the next challenge we are being dealt, but one I’m sure our community is confident we can handle. Please be careful on the roads especially when they are wet and do not go through flood waters, even if there isn’t a road closed sign.

I received an interesting email this week regarding $2,135,615 worth of lost or unclaimed super belonging to people living in our Shire. Go to: www.ato.gov.au/forms/searching-for-lost-super/

On the subject of data, next week is Census night on the 10th August. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is reminding people that they can complete their Census as soon as they receive their instructions. Households across the country have started receiving Census letters with instructions on how to complete their Cen-sus online, or how to order a paper form. If you are yet to receive your Census instructions, or would like to complete a separate Census form to the rest of your household, you can get a Census number or request a paper form on the Census website: www.abs.gov.au/census. Due to the Local Government Election postponement we will be having two Council Meetings in August. The first falls on the 5th August and the next will be on the 19th August, this will get us back on track with the scheduled third Thursday of the month we always have the meeting fall on.

Till next week. God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

 

Mayoral Notes

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This week we have been celebrating with the young and old of Forbes with Senior’s Week and Youth Week in separate events. The Seniors had a concert in Town Hall last Sunday and another at JRV on Tuesday.

This week we opened up tickets to celebrate Council’s 150 years + 1 in May. It will be great to share some memories with past Councillors and staff who have worked here over the years. We do welcome everyone to join us for a wonderful evening with great food and entertainment.

West Plains Road work has been progressing really well although the rain did put us back a few weeks, the project is set for completion in early June. This along with work on Lions Park car park, Templar St paving and the new Estate really has our team busy of late.

On Wednesday we have a Contractor In-formation Night to talk about ways in which suppliers can work with Council. The night will also feature information for working with our State counterparts from Transport for NSW and Inland Rail as well as Sunrise Energy Metals and Evolution Mining.

The event is free, and guests are asked to get a ticket at www.123tix.com.au/events/17083/forbes-contractor-information-night or ring Council on 6850 2300 to book. If you are in the construction and service industry this is an opportunity you cannot miss.

God Bless.

Mayoral Notes

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We are so excited to be bringing Frost and Fire back this year. It will be a little different due to the new COVID rules and the event will be ticketed. Entry remains free, we need to have tickets to ensure we do not have too many show up and have to turn people away. Local acts Gracey Jones and Fog Pilots are performing and the major act, the amazing Bob Evans (previously of the well-known band Jebediah). But that’s not all, there will be fire buckets scattered around the Ski Dam, Walter Whip and the Flame will be moving through the crowd showing his fire tricks and stunts as well as John Buttagig playing guitar. For the Game of Thrones fans a Jon Snow lookalike will also be roaming through the crowd for photos.

We are asking for expressions of interest for food and alcohol providers for this event. Head over to our website for an application form.

Last week the paving began on the pedestrian strips of Templar Street. This work will be done in small sections to ensure minimal disruption to customers and the stores along this street. We apologise for this taking as long as it has, it has been difficult to get contractors but now we have them we are keen to get this job done.

Meaghers Lane is also having work done to it with new Bin Bays being installed this week.

God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Forbes Council Takes Big Steps On More Social Housing

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Forbes Shire Council is currently undertaking a Housing Strategy for the area and will start by engaging with the community to ascertain the requirements for Forbes residents.

The Strategy will ensure that the Shire is equitable and strategic when planning for future housing in the shire and they are calling for input from people across the community. Consultation for the strategy will begin on 1 March 2021.

Mayor Phyllis Miller is keen to hear the community’s thoughts on what the Council should plan for and is asking everyone to contribute to the Forbes Housing Strategy survey.

“Council is very committed to putting housing first, because we believe that it is a home that binds everyone together, as one of the fundamentals of living,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“A safe community and a good home is key to so many parts of life – work, school, friendships, good health, security and happiness.

“The housing issues we are dealing with at present include increased demand for housing and Council wants to ensure there is a mix of options for both buyers and renters,” said Mayor Miller.

“There is a need for more rental housing in Forbes which will also be addressed in the plan.”

Council will provide a variety of opportunities for the community to provide comments and suggestions for the Strategy. “Staff will be hosting pop up sessions to get your comments as well as doing in person consultations with parents at schools, day-cares and preschools and with the over 60’s both online and in person,” said Mayor Miller.

Mayoral Notes

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This week we have launched our survey to the community regarding the Housing Strategy for the Forbes Shire. I really encourage everyone to take part in this survey as it will help us plan for the future infrastructure and managing the character and amenity of our existing residential areas.

Forbes is expecting to grow significantly in the next ten years and we need to plan for the future to ensure we have the infrastructure and essential services to accommodate that. This is why we have this strategy and we want the community to let us know what they would like to see available to them in Forbes.

There will be several pop-up sessions available in town for those who don’t have access to online.

Now have you heard the wonderful news? We have a new tenant for the Target site! Kmart will be taking up the space which is wonderful news for the town. More details will be coming soon as they come to hand.

International Women’s Day Cocktail Night? This is coming up on 13 March at the Masonic Lodge. We are so excited about this too and we have a great line up of local legendary ladies speaking at this event. It is a ticketed event and they can be found on 123Tix. All proceeds will be going to Ronald McDonald House Charity in Orange. So many of our residents have had to use this great facility over the years and we would like to pay back some love.

Till next week. God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phhyllis Miller

Mayoral Notes

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This week General Manager, Steve Loane and myself have gone to the NSW Associated Mining & Energy Related Council meeting in Wollongong which is always interesting. The renewable energy sector is really gaining momentum in our region. The NSW Government is implementing three Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) pi-lots throughout NSW and one of them is the 3,000 megawatt REZ in the Central West of NSW. This is great for our local economies and for jobs in the regions as well. We have two solar farms in the Forbes Shire and potential for others as well.

In last week’s Council Meeting it was raised the need for upgrades to our town security. The program of 50 new CCTV cameras will soon to be rolled out through-out Forbes. The cameras will have a direct relay to our local police station who can then quickly action staff to respond to incidents.

We have also started renovations in Town Hall. This will see a variety of upgrades to this beautiful Heritage building. New light-ing, kitchen and bar area as well as a new floor in the concourse. We remind everyone the Town Hall may be out of action for a while but please contact Council’s Event Officer if you are looking for a space to hold your next function or event we have a few suggested venues that may serve your purpose.

Till next week. God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Council Water Grid Agreement

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Image credit: Adobe Stock

At last week’s Forbes Shire Council meeting the Centroc Water Grid Business Paper was pulled for further discussion by Councillors. The report provided Councillors with details of the Centroc Water Grid proposal between Central Tablelands Water, Parkes Shire Council and Forbes Shire Council. In this report a pipeline was proposed linking Gooloogong to Forbes, and then to form a part of the Central Tablelands County Council Water Supply to outlying towns of Parkes and beyond.

“Unfortunately, we had to defer the matter to our next Council Meeting to give our elected members time to fully understand the matter,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Everyone needs to understand what it means to Forbes and our water security. We are always willing to work with our neighbours, but not at the detriment of others.”

Council’s Manager of Water understands that the modelling did not allow for Council’s potential use of groundwater, or for the fact that in drought years Water NSW operates the system to minimise wastage and extends the existing water supplies for as long as possible, which is much longer than under normal allocation scenarios.

In addition, since the Millennium Drought, there have been changes to Water NSW’s water allocation assessments, factoring in three years of essential water supply when making its annual water allocation determinations. Council has also improved its security position in reducing demand by increasing the water usage charge and undertaking some water recycling works, maintaining its yearly usage at approximately 200ML less than the typical yearly usage used in the 2009 report. Council has also installed a third groundwater bore since that report and can now treat groundwater through both treatment trains at the Water Plant.

Forbes Shire Council will discuss the proposal at the next briefing with a report to come at the December Council meeting for Councillor’s to form a position.

Mayoral Notes

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I would like to thank Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance for writing the column last week and attending a few meetings. I had a shoulder operation and I have tried to take it easy this past week, although I have been very busy on the phone, don’t you worry!

The Forbes Shire Council crew have been working hard on Templar Street. Last weekend the street was planned for closure Saturday afternoon and all-day Sunday to pull up the pavers, but the crew were able to complete the job on Saturday afternoon, which was brilliant! This week they are drilling underground to put in the cabling.

You may have noticed six new picnic tables and chairs around the Lake. Council was helped by Aruma services to install this wonderful new furniture around our much-used walking tracks around the Lake. They are positioned in some great spots for people to stop and have a rest or even a picnic.

I want to congratulate three of our young girls who were successful in being selected into the Wagga City Wanderers FC side.

I would like to congratulate Katie Schultz, Lilly Browne and Josie McKensie on their selection. Also, I want to commend the committee and Doug on their tireless effort and dedication to the sport, the parents and kids of Forbes and district thank you. You really have made soccer a truly wonderful sport for the kids to be involved in, not only through Winter, but all year round too!

God Bless.
Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Templar Street To Close For Weekend Road Works

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Forbes Shire Council has pushed ahead with the refurbishment of Templar Street with part road closures that were implemented on Wednesday, 28 October to Thursday, 29 October 2020. The whole of Templar Street will be closed to traffic during Sunday, 1 November, to enable the removal of the existing road base and preparation for the new base to be laid.

“The Northern side of the street, the Dentists side, was closed on Wednesday and Thursday while we removed the islands and pavers,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“This staged approach will ensure the least amount of disruption to our shopping district. Traffic control will be in place and we ask you be patient when in the area as there may be congestion.”

“On Sunday, the whole street will close, and the majority of the work can be done over the weekend, ensuring a minimal amount of disruption to trade and businesses. Our crews will be working around the beautiful trees we have existing in the street already and ensure they don’t receive any damage whilst the work is being carried out.”

“The current pavers will be crushed and then re-used in future road projects ensuring no waste will be incurred because of works being completed in Templar Street,” Phyllis said.

On Monday, 9 November the adjoining laneways of Collit and Meaghers Lane will have pedestrian diversions in place to enable Forbes Shire Council to install power in the vicinity.

The project is due for completion in December 2020. Forbes residents who require more information are encouraged to contact Forbes Shire Councils Major Projects Manager on 02 6850 2300.

Mayoral Notes

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October is Small Business Month, and you all know how much I champion the small businesses here in Forbes. I hope you all support the Forbes Business Chamber in the events they have lined up. The Business Visit was on Thursday and next week is the Tradies Night at the new Mitre 10. Then, last but not least, is our event with Kristy Withers from Incy Interiors.

Networking events like these are so important for our businesses and as you will all know 2020 has been like no other year, and we need to support each other where we can. Due to COVID places are limited and registration has to be lodged before attending.

Templar Street is coming along nicely with both sides now complete with new drainage. The new planter boxes will be planted in the coming weeks and these will act as barriers between the cars and pedestrians on the footpath when the road and footpath are at one level. The planter boxes can be relocated when events are taking place to open up the street and it’s going to look amazing!

Have you all had your say on the naming of Edward Street subdivision? We were out and about last week getting suggestions but if you missed the opportunity you can jump online to inform us of your suggestions at: www.yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au. Council is meeting this week and I will report back with the decisions next week.

Until then, God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

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