
NO TIME LIKE HOLIDAY TIME… The amazing pop up playground, Obstacool is coming to Forbes this December school holidays.
Obstacool coming to Forbes: Forbes Shire Council is bringing the amazing pop up playground Obstacool to Forbes this December school holidays. Obstacool is Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course designed for children big and small, with a series of inflatable climbing walls, tunnels and play elements aimed at helping children develop healthy, active habits. Obstacool will be set up in Nelson Park, adjacent to Forbes Preschool. Free access for children will be available between 9am and 3pm on 22nd December. Each session lasts 45 minutes and commences on the hour. Children must be checked in by a parent or guardian and supervised during the time that they are in the course. Admission is free and participation is open to any age above four. Children under the age of 16 require adult supervision.
Tough New Drink Driving Penalties: Stronger penalties for drink driving came into effect in NSW on Monday, 3rd December to help reduce trauma on our roads. Under the new laws, any driver who commits a low-range (blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 – 0.079) drink driving offence will be fined $561 and lose their licence immediately for three months. Penalties for first time drug presence offences detected on the roadside via NSW’s mobile drug testing program will include a fine and three month licence suspension. First time mid-range (BAC of 0.08 – 0.14) offenders will need to have an alcohol interlock device installed in their vehicle to prove they can separate their drinking from driving. Repeat offenders will face vehicle sanctions, including licence plate confiscation and vehicle impoundment.
Double Demerits for the Holidays: Double demerit points will be in force for 12 days over the Christmas and New Year period to improve road safety during the holiday season. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that double demerit points would run from Friday, 21st December to Tuesday, 1st January inclusive for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences. Please note that Friday, 21st December is a gazetted school day – so double demerits will apply to relevant school zone offences. The scheme is designed to encourage safe and responsible driving. Working in conjunction with financial penalties, double demerit points provide a strong incentive to drive within the law.

There will be 12 days of double demerits over the Christmas and New Year break.