This week, Council undertook important maintenance works at our reservoir, with specialised divers carrying out underwater cleaning and inspection activities. Over time, naturally occurring mineral sediment can accumulate on the reservoir floor. To help maintain the highest standards of water quality and system performance, this sediment is removed as part of routine maintenance conducted every couple of years. This work plays a vital role in ensuring our communities continue to receive safe, reliable drinking water. These inspections also allow our teams to assess key infrastructure and address any issues before they become larger problems.

It’s exciting to see two significant community infrastructure projects getting underway this month. With the netball season now complete, work will commence on the Forbes Netball Court Redevelopment, featuring resurfaced courts, new lighting, seating, accessible referee seating and improved safety fencing. Council will also begin the Ski Dam Amenities Redevelopment, replacing the existing amenities block with modern public toilets, showers and accessible facilities which will include a baby change area. While there may be some temporary disruptions during construction, these projects will provide lasting benefits for our community and users. Both projects are proudly funded through the NSW Community Assets Program.

If you’re heading along to the Bedgerebong Show this Saturday 22 August, be sure to stop by and chat with Council’s Community Team. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the projects, events and infrastructure improvements happening across the Forbes Shire, and to ask questions about the things that matter most to you and your community. Council values community feedback, and these conversations help us better understand local priorities while keeping residents informed about the work being delivered across the Shire.

I encourage everyone to visit the Forbes Visitor Information Centre on Sunday 30 August for the third annual Meet the Makers event from 10am until 1pm. This free event gives visitors the chance to connect directly with local makers, sample regional products, and learn more about the passion and skill behind their creations.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

This week, we had the privilege of hosting NSW Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP. We were honoured to welcome him to officially open the new Spooner Oval grandstand and showcase some of the major projects and infrastructure investments underway across our region.

It was fantastic to have the Minister visit our community and see firsthand the progress being made. Opportunities like these are invaluable in highlighting the importance of continued investment in regional communities and strengthening relationships across all levels of government.

Council is continuing to invest in the maintenance and improvement of our road network, with work currently underway on South Condobolin Road. The project involves upgrading a 4.5-kilometre section of road approximately 35 kilometres west of Forbes. Works include shoulder repairs, road widening, a full-width bitumen reseal and new line marking to improve the condition and safety of the road.

Construction of the new barbeque shelter at Apex Park is now underway, marking an exciting milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of this popular community space. It is another important step in enhancing the park’s facilities and creating vibrant spaces for our community to connect.

A reminder that next week we will be hosting the second Welcome to Forbes event for 2026, and I encourage all new residents to come along. The event will be held on Thursday 20 August from 5.30pm at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club, overlooking the picturesque Lake Forbes.

Whether you’ve relocated to Forbes for work, family or a change of lifestyle, this free community event is a great opportunity to meet fellow residents and learn more about the many clubs, organisations, businesses and services that make our town such a welcoming place to call home.

We look forward to welcoming our newest community members and helping them make valuable connections within Forbes.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

This week, we are celebrating Local Government Week – a valuable opportunity to showcase the important role councils play in supporting and strengthening our communities every day.

A special highlight will be welcoming Year 5 students from our local schools to Council. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the different roles and functions of local government, meet Council staff and gain an understanding of how decisions are made and services are delivered across our region.

These visits are a great way to inspire young people and encourage them to take an active interest in their community. We look forward to sharing the important work of Council and showcasing the many career opportunities available in local government.

I thank our local schools for participating and helping make Local Government Week a valuable learning experience for our future community leaders.

I am pleased to invite our community to attend the official opening of the new Spooner Oval Grandstand on Sunday, 9 August at 12.45pm. The new grandstand and clubhouse represent a significant investment in our sporting infrastructure, providing modern facilities that will better support our local clubs while also helping us attract and host larger sporting events.

These improvements will enhance the experience for players, officials, volunteers and spectators, and deliver lasting benefits for our community.

I encourage residents to join us for this milestone occasion as we celebrate the official opening of a facility that will strengthen community sport and serve the Forbes Shire for many years to come.

One of my favourite events on the community calendar is Welcome to Forbes, and I warmly invite all new residents to join us on Thursday, 20 August from 5.30pm at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club, overlooking beautiful Lake Forbes.

Whether you’ve recently moved to Forbes for work, family or a lifestyle change, this free event is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and connect with local clubs, community groups, businesses and services.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Haylee Redfern has once again brought gold back to Forbes, after competing at the 2026 World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) World Championships at Chisinau in Moldova from 4 – 7 June.

Haylee competed in the Elite Long Cycle (2 x 20kg kettlebells, 10mins), Elite Mixed Relay, Elite Women’s Relay, Masters One Arm Long Cycle (1 x 16kg, 10mins) and the Masters OALC half Marathon (1 x 16kg, 30mins).

Out of the five events that Haylee competed in, she was incredibly fortunate to podium in each event, coming away with three gold medals, a silver and a bronze.

Haylee’s motto is, “Be prepared to put in the extra work even when it’s not required.”

Unfortunately, there is no government or funding support for Individual adults in sport, whereas for team sports, like soccer or rugby etc, the opportunities are endless.

Haylee has to self-fund all of her travel and sporting requirements.

“Absolutely everything is self funded and that includes both in Australia and abroad. There is a lot of travel involved as there are requirements we have to meet each year to gain re-qualification for the Australian Team,” said Haylee.

Haylee has a few events coming up that are a requirement to make the Australian Team for 2027. State of Origin in August and the Australian Nationals in September. She is also hoping to represent Australia once again at the IUKL World Championships in October to be held in New Delhi, India.

Interested sponsors can contact Haylee directly via hayleeredfern@hotmail.com.

Keeping our school zones safe is a shared responsibility, and even small actions can make a big difference. This term, Council is delivering a regional education campaign to help parents and carers better understand how No Parking zones operate around local schools.

As part of this initiative, new signs have been installed near pick-up and drop-off areas at Forbes Public School, Forbes North Public School and Forbes High School to provide a clear reminder of the rules. I encourage all drivers to take a moment to familiarise themselves with the rules and do their part to keep our school communities safe.

You may notice increased activity at a the Forbes Recycling and Waste Facility as contractors begin work on a new landfill cell. The new cell is needed to ensure the facility has sufficient capacity to safely manage the community’s waste into the future and continue providing an essential service for residents. The project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2027, subject to weather conditions.

The previous drop-off point at the top of the old landfill cell is now closed. General rubbish can now be dropped off at the temporary disposal area at the bottom of the site. Our staff will be on hand to point you in the right direction.

I’m delighted to see Forbes Shire Council recognised as a finalist in the NSW Youth Week 2026 Awards following the success of our biggest-ever Youth Week program.

More than 260 local young people took part in a diverse range of activities, all shaped by feedback from the Forbes Youth Action Team and designed to reflect the interests and aspirations of our community’s youth.

This recognition is a testament to the enthusiasm of our young people and the dedication of Council staff and community partners who helped bring the program to life.

We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to the awards announcement on 6 August

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Connecting with our community is one of the most important parts of local government, and our upcoming Councillor CatchUp is a great opportunity to do just that.

Join us at Bedgerabong Hall on Friday 24 July from 5pm for an informal chat with your elected Councillors and our new General Manager. Getting to speak directly to our community helps us stay connected and ensures local perspectives remain at the heart of our decision-making.

We are partnering with Central West Lachan Landcare for a Community Planting Day at Forbes Cemetery from 10am to 12pm as part of National Tree Day. I encourage locals to join us this Saturday 25 July to help plant Yellow Box, White Box and Spiny Bursaria – all native species. Just bring a hat and water bottle, with gloves and planting materials supplied on the day. A free BBQ lunch will be provided afterwards as a thank you.

Next week we will celebrate NAIDOC 2026 at the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. Originally planned for earlier this month, the event was postponed due to

wet weather. So we’re pleased to be able to celebrate together next Thursday 30 July instead. Gather at the South Circle from 9.45am for the Community March, which will make its way to the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for a morning of celebration, connection and cultural pride.

Council will be out at Goldridge Estate this week planting perimeter trees at the new park, helping shape the future look and feel of this growing community space.

We’re grateful to have three tree-planting specialists from Skillset’s Land Works team assisting with the project. The trees being planted include Acer ‘Crimson Sentry’ and Fraxinus ‘Cimzam’, selected to provide shade, character and structure to the park as it matures. While the benefits won’t be seen overnight, these plantings are an investment in the future, ensuring residents can enjoy a greener, more welcoming park for years to come. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I’d like to remind motorists to park nosein along Cross Street. Nose-in parking has been introduced throughout the CBD to improve safety for road users and pedestrians. It helps drivers leave parking spaces more safely and reduces potential risks in this busy area. Please take a moment to check the signage and ensure you’re parking correctly when visiting town.

Next week brings a few community events that are well worth putting in the diary.

The annual Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day will be held at the Central West Livestock Exchange on Thursday 23 July.

This is a great opportunity for farmers, contractors and machinery operators to hear from industry experts about road safety, signage requirements and travel conditions ahead of harvest. The event runs from 8am to 11.30am, with breakfast available from 7.30am.

One of the things I enjoy most as a Councillor is the chance to chat directly with members of our community, which is why I encourage residents to come along to our next Councillor Catch-Up on Friday 24 July at Bedgerabong Hall from 5pm. This is a great opportunity to have a chat with your elected Councillors and meet our new General Manager. Whether you’d like to share an idea, ask a question or simply find out more about what’s happening around the Shire, we’d love to see you there. These catchups are a great way to stay connected and ensure community voices are being heard.

Then on Saturday 25 July, we are partnering with Central West Lachan Landcare for a Community Planting Day at Forbes Cemetery from 10am to 12pm as part of National Tree Day. I encourage locals to join us to help plant Yellow Box, White Box and Spiny Bursaria – all native species. Just bring a hat and water bottle, with gloves and planting materials supplied on the day. A free BBQ lunch will be provided afterwards as a thank you.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Good news! Our new indoor pool furnace has now been installed and the water temperature is back up to a comfortable 28°C.

We were very fortunate that the replacement unit arrived so quickly, allowing us to get it installed promptly. Thank you to everyone for your patience while the work was completed. We look forward to welcoming you back to enjoy the pool.

I’m proud to launch the Forbes Financial Gap Year campaign, encouraging young professionals from Western Sydney to spend a year in Forbes and get ahead financially.

The campaign speaks directly to people feeling the pressure of the rising cost-of-living. Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll be sharing what makes Forbes such a great place to live, work and raise a family.

We’re proud of our community and look forward to showing more people from the city why making the move to Forbes could be one of the best financial decisions they make.

If you’re visiting Lake Forbes over the coming weeks, please be aware of construction works taking place in the area. As part of the Johnny Woods Crossing redevelopment, Wambat Street between James Street and Gordon Duff Drive will be closed during the school holidays. The Apex Park car park will also be closed until the end of August while the playground upgrades are completed, including new kerb and guttering, footpaths and a new barbecue shelter.

Both projects form part of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan (LFAP) – Parks and Amenities Resilience and Betterment Project, funded by the NSW Government through the Community Assets Program.

The annual ‘Be Road Ready for Harvest’ Field Day returns to Forbes on Thursday 23 July out at the Central West Livestock Exchange. This is a great opportunity for farmers, contractors and machinery operators to hear from industry experts about vehicle dimensions, signage requirements and travel conditions, as well as a handson machinery display and a range of interactive activities. Breakfast will be available from 7.30am, with the event running from 8am to 11.30am.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What a fantastic day it was at the Forbes Soccer Gala Day on Sunday, with an in­credible 1,500 players from across the region converging on Forbes. Events like this highlight our ability to successfully host large-scale sporting gatherings locally. It’s wonderful to see so many young players, families and supporters come together to take part in and enjoy grassroots sport.

Congratulations to the Forbes & District Soccer Club Incorporated for delivering an­other hugely successful and well-run gala day.

Just a quick update on the Forbes Indoor Pool. The heating furnace has unfortu­nately had a major fault and will need to be replaced. A replacement unit is expected to arrive this week and will be installed as soon as possible. Once the unit is replaced, the water temperature is anticipated to re­turn to 28°C by the weekend. We know the indoor pool is especially important during the colder months and appreciate your pa­tience while we work through this.

It is with a mix of sadness and heart­ felt gratitude that we mark the closing of Woolerina this week, after an extraordi­nary 20 years of service to our community.

Through its dedication to wool and the sus­tainable fashion industry, it has celebrated our region’s rich agricultural heritage while championing innovation, creativity and en­vironmental responsibility. I sincerely con­gratulate and thank Warwick, Pip and Pen­ny for their dedication and vision in building such a valued and inspiring business. I per­sonally love my Woolerina garments; they are a true testament to the quality and care behind the brand. On behalf of the commu­nity, thank you for 20 remarkable years and wishing you all the very best for whatever comes next.

School holidays kick off next week and our Youth Team has put together a fun line up of creative, active and social activities to keep young people busy and entertained.

Spots are limited, so make sure you book via Council’s website.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an incredible Frost and Fire festival! We were so lucky with the weather, which­helped bring out a fantastic crowd. Over 2,000 people rugged up to be part of the winter solstice celebrations at the Forbes Ski Dam. It’s great to see the event continu­ing to grow evolve. An estimated $300,000 was injected into our local economy, which is a huge win for our businesses and com­munity.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and to all who came along.

Particularly our sponsors and special events crew. You made it a night to remem­ber. We’re already working on some new ideas for next year.

This week I’ve been in Canberra attend­ing the National General Assembly of Lo­cal Government. It’s the largest gathering of council leaders, with around 1,000 dele­gates from across Australia and overseas.

It’s a valuable opportunity to advocate for stronger federal funding, smarter policy and better partnerships for our communi­ties. This year’s discussions focused on ten key priorities, with financial sustain­ability emerging as the major challenge.

As councils take on more responsibilities, the pressure on local budgets continues to grow. At the same time, Financial Assis­tance Grants have fallen from 1% of Com­monwealth taxation revenue in 1996 to just 0.5% today. To address this, Australian Lo­cal Government Association (ALGA) is call­ing for funding to be restored to 1% over the next three years. We’ll keep pushing to ensure communities like Forbes are better supported into the future.

Plastic Free July kicks off next week, and it’s a great chance to make a simple change. Why not give up one single-use plastic item like your daily takeaway cup, plastic bottles or packaged produce and see how you go? You can do it on your own or challenge your friends, family or colleagues. Make your plastic-free pledge at www.plasticfreejuly.org. You can also go in the draw to win an amazing plastic-free prize. Just head to Council’s social media pages and share your pledge in the com­ments. Every small step adds up to a big difference for a more plastic-free future.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

It’s finally here – the amazing Frost and Fire winter celebration is happening this Saturday – starting at 4pm until 10pm with a major live music lineup for six solid hours of fun.

This is one of Forbes’ premier events and a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and embrace the winter season.

Get into the spirit of winter, rug up, bring your chair and jump on a bus to our pre­mier destination event. All you have to do once you arrive is get a drink, choose from a delicious range of meal options and set­tle in to enjoy and kick back and enjoy the live music, roving and cultural entertainers.

There are children’s activities, fireworks and more – it really is the best night to spend time with your friends and family at Forbes Ski Dam. See you there.

Next weekend – soccer fever will de­scend for the Forbes Soccer Gala Day. This incredible event will see around 1,500 play­ers and children, more than 100 games,

and games spread across 12 fields. It’s a huge undertaking and a wonderful exam­ple of our community coming together to support grassroots sport.

Events like these don’t just showcase lo­cal talent—they bring families, visitors and energy into our town and that’s something we can all be proud of.

I’d like to thank the organisers, volun­teers, coaches and families who make days like this possible. Your efforts create opportunities for young people to stay ac­tive, build friendships and enjoy everything that community sport has to offer. Well done Forbes District Soccer.

On behalf of the Forbes community and especially Forbes Shire Council we extend our thoughts and prayers to Bolam family in this difficult time. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM