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.

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.