Wow, what an amazing week it has been!

It was wonderful to receive the Best Local Youth Week Award at the Local Government Awards in Sydney. Sarah Williams and the Community and Tourism team do a great job engaging our youth in the Forbes Shire and putting on events like Youth Week. Congratulations to you all! The team are recruiting for the Forbes Youth Action Team, check our website or call Sarah.

Another great youth program is the Boys to the Bush program. We should all get behind this. These camps give young boys the opportunity to be surrounded by positive influences while learning good values and skills. I can’t rave about this enough.

Having known Adam Demamiel for many years, I know this will continue to great things.

We have our Council Meeting next Thursday, 15th August. Don’t forget to tune in to Facebook Live to watch. It has been committee meeting week this week and boy it’s been busy! Economic Development, Council Briefing Session, Australia Day plans and Governance.

On behalf of you the community I want to thank the Councillors for their dedication and commitment. There is a lot to get through in these meetings and they are so important ensuring we make the right decisions for our community.

I would like to congratulate Northparkes Mines celebrating 25 years this week. They have been a fantastic corporate citizen to Forbes. We are excited about the next 25 years.

Until next week, God Bless.

Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

This week I, along with Parkes Shire Mayor, Ken Keith, met with Scott McLachlan, CEO of Western NSW Local Health District, to discuss the services of our hospitals both here in Forbes and Parkes. We discussed the critical need to ensure enough doctors and especially obstetricians are servicing our region. It was a great relief to hear we are all on the same page and we will all be striving to re-instate all services to both hospitals as soon as possible.

How fantastic was the ALMA Animal Welfare Award win? It was great to visit the vibrant town of Roma. During the stay we had a field trip to see how a local farm works hand-in-hand with a Coal Seam gas mine.

This 4th generation farm breeds Poll Hereford cattle and Santos, the miners, supply their excess water to the farm for irrigation.

The water is treated by Santos to reduce the saline levels in the water to make it fit for purpose. I was very sceptical, but when I saw how it was done and how healthy the cattle were I was amazed! We also visited the Roma saleyards and we think our yards are big, but they take the cake! The yards sell seven to eight thousand cattle each week making them the biggest in Australia.

Forbes has a lot of major works coming up with the Lions Park stormwater starting this week. Please be mindful of the signage, it is there to ensure everybody is safe. The Camp Street Bridge work will begin on August 26, and whilst it may be a bit inconvenient the finished result will be amazing. Minister Paul Toole must be applauded for being on the front foot in doing this bridge work, as the bridge does not have the capacity to handle the increase in the size of heavy vehicles currently using this route.

Unfortunately I will miss the Races this year but I encourage you all to get your glad rags on and go, you won’t be disappointed!

God Bless.
Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

You may have heard the horrible news this week of the vandalism to one of our most loved sculptures by the Lake. If anyone knows anything please report it to the Police. It is terrible to have to do this, but we will put cameras up around areas like this to catch culprits in action if necessary. We do not want to waste valuable time and money on fixing things that shouldn’t need fixing!

This week I had the chance to meet up with Selina Win Pe, Lindt Café siege survivor, and take her on a tour of Nell’s Pantry.

She is such an amazing woman and has made a personal pledge to raise $1 million dollars to assist drought affected communities.

Nell’s Pantry is doing a great service for our community by providing much needed supplies to the struggling farming families in our district. They continue to accept donations of food and supplies, and I encourage you to help where you can.

They are open Tuesdays 1-3.30pm.

This week I have been in Roma for the Australian Livestock Markets Association Annual Saleyards Expo. It was amazing to see this facility in action, being one of the major selling centre’s in the country.

I must congratulate HE Silos on their 50th Anniversary and I’m disappointed I missed the celebrations this week. I have known them from the day they began their business here in Forbes, and they must be very proud of their achievements in creating such a successful inter-generational business. I wish them all the best for the next 50 years!

Also this week we saw Brian Gunn work his last day at Ladybird. I would like to wish he and Marg all the best in retirement and I hope they now have time to smell the roses!

Thanks for all your hard work Brian, we will miss you.

Until next week, God bless.

Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

It has come time to bid our wonderful Farm to Trade team goodbye. When Council received the $1 million drought funding from the Federal Government, we chose to employ farmers. This has helped them both financially and mentally through the last six months and they must be proud of the wonderful work they have achieved. We wish to thank them for the picket fence around Grinstead Oval, the Solar lights around Lake Forbes and fencing jobs out at the Central West Livestock Exchange expansion.

Have you seen the news lately about a few of the buildings in Sydney that have been authorised by private certifiers and now they are finding numerous building faults? Fortunately for us we have great building inspectors who work for Forbes Council. I know sometimes people get annoyed with rules and regulations, but it’s for this very reason we have these laws, to protect you, the consumers.
How exciting the old Aussie Pub site has a new business opening soon. The other new business coming to town will be the 24 hour service station, next to the Homemakers Centre. Work is currently being completed on the service easement and then the site work for the service station can begin.

I can report design work for Templar St is well underway. It is so important we get the drainage levels right for this area, and work is projected to begin in September. I will keep you updated.

God Bless.

Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

What a great week – Sunrise was a great surprise for our community! Thank you to everyone that came down to Lions Park and especially the Dragon Boat Club members – you were fantastic! Destination NSW instigated the visit from Sunrise and for that we thank them very much. It all helps to put Forbes on the National Map for Tourism.

Thank you to our amazing staff who did a fantastic job with the logistics.

The new Fishing Platform at Lions Park is a huge hit and the kids are absolutely loving it! I received a photo on the weekend of kids fishing off it having a lovely time. It’s great that everyone in our community – as well as visitors to the lake – will have the chance to catch a fish!

I was very sad to discover this week that Ladybird Boutique will be closing down. It is a very sad day for this to happen, but it is totally understandable that the time has come for Brian and Marg to enjoy their life in the slower lane. To Brian, Marg, your family and team – you have done an amazing job and we thank you whole heartedly.

The farmers who have been doing a lot of work for Council under the Farm to Trade program have now finished. We farewelled them last Friday with a BBQ at the Forbes Shire Council Depot. On behalf of Council and the community, I thank you for all of the great work you have done over the last few months.

Farmers are doing it so, so tough- if you know of a farmer that is doing it hard mentally and/or physically, please give them the helpline phone number – 1800 011 511 On that note, have a great weekend and pray for rain. God bless.

Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

How good was last weekend’s Frost and Fire? Thank you for supporting this wonderful event. It’s quite clear an event like that was just what the doctor ordered for our community. We’ll be back next year with more food and drink vendors, amazing artists and performers, as well as fun for the kids. When times are tough, events like that bring people together. Thank you, Forbes and visitors, for your support.

The Flood Study Committee has met with Local and State Government representatives to discuss our future regarding how floods affect our Shire and ways to improve the effects on the community.

This week work has begun in Templar Street as part of the beautification of the CBD. All efforts will be made to avoid disrupting businesses and traffic. The work will include irrigation for the 12 mature Claret Ash trees to be planted in garden beds in the centre of the road. Solar lights will also feature along the street creating an attractive avenue to entice people off the highway and into the CBD.

Forbes will be hosting the Australian Local Government Women’s Association executive board meeting. This sees female Mayors, Councillors and Council staff from local governments across NSW meet and discuss ideas. It’s an honour to host them.

Excitingly on Saturday we will have the weather crew from Sunrise here at the Wirradjuri Dreaming Centre at 7am. They’ll be featuring our beautiful Lake and attractions. Come down and show Australia what a great town we have.

God Bless
Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

Councillor Jenny Webb, General Manager Steve Loane and myself attended the National General Assembly this week in Canberra. This is a great opportunity for Councils across Australia to come together and agree upon issues that we will take to the Federal Government regarding our communities. We had an opportunity to speak with the Honourable Mark Coulton, our new minister for Local Government. He has hit the ground running and has been a breath of fresh air. Our local member the Honourable Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister addressed our conference and there was lots of positive feedback.

The theme for this year’s event is Future Focused and we have discussed ways in which our Council can be ready for all the challenges, changes and opportunities that lay ahead. We also put forward several motions on issues such as drought support, childcare and support for Anzac Day.

I’m sure you have been as upset as I have regarding the disintegration of medical services at Parkes Hospital, especially in obstetrics. Last week I had a very productive meeting with Scott McLachlan, Local Health District Chief Executive, about these services in our region. We will continue to advocate for restoration of these vital services to our local hospitals and keep doctors in our towns.

I am looking forward to Frost and Fire this weekend. Make sure you come along with your family and friends to experience a good old fashioned bonfire with great food, warm bevies and a great line up of entertainment. There are reports we are in for snow on Saturday!

God Bless
Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Can I begin by thanking everyone for their kind words and congratulations regarding the surprise award I received last week for Highly Commended in the Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council.

I believe strongly in maintaining gender balance in all levels of government, and I encourage the up-and-coming young girls in our community to step up when their time comes.

Last Friday I attended the Black Tie & Boots Rural Aid Ball in Sydney with staff from Council. It was a great chance to showcase our wonderful area to the city folk and remind them that our community, along with many others in the state, are still suffering the impact of the drought.

How good was the footy on the weekend? It was a shame our boys peaked a little too early and couldn’t pull off a win. Forbes celebrated 100 years of Rugby League and many old faces were in town again.

This week John Barilaro, Deputy Premier, announced an additional $300 million in drought relief funding. This includes $70 million in transport subsidies, $50 million to waive Local Land Services rates, $30 million to waive fixed charges for NSW Water Licences, $15 million for emergency water carting and $10 million to waive interest charges for Farm Innovation Fund loans.

The Flood Study is due for completion in November. It is so important for the planning of our town especially for the Bathurst Street and River Road precincts. The study needs to ensure it can be easily maintained and include all possibilities during a flood.

God Bless.
Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

The weeks are rolling by very quickly and we are almost half way through the year.

The cold snap was a little bit of a shock but expected at this time of the year. The rain was very welcome and let’s hope it keeps up.

There has been some confusion in the community about the Templar Street beautification project. In order to clarify what will be happening with the 3B option that Council resolved to go with at the March meeting, we have put together a DL brochure with the Consultants artistic impression and plan. These will be delivered to each household this week. If anyone has any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact me, councillors or staff.

I have had a lot of positive comments in relation to the solar lights being installed around the Lake. This will allow people to walk safely around the lake after dark, whether it is winter or the evenings in the heat of summer. The ground work is progressing quickly at the homemakers centre site and the construction team will commence work next month, with a completion date around November.

The next Council Meeting is on 13th June so make sure you tune in and watch the webcast on Facebook. There have been a lot of rumours around about the hospital services and maybe cuts to both Forbes and Parkes hospitals. Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard has assured us the services will remain the same. This does not mean we can be complacent. We need to keep advocating for both State and Federal Governments to partner with local government to ensure rural and regional areas are attracting doctors in healthy numbers.

The Forbes Magpies 100 year reunion is on this weekend. How much fun will that be? Lots of former players will be home and to top it off the local derby of Forbes and Parkes is on in Parkes, on Sunday. On that note enjoy your weekend.

God Bless
Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller