We have weathered floods before and I know that we will rise through this one again. Remember to stay in touch, listen to warnings, look out for your neighbours, family and friends and of course if it is flooded, forget it. 

Our town is again preparing for a major flood with predictions of a 10.8 peak predicted. As I write this, the flood situation is unfolding. Warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology have indicated we may see levels of 10.8m at the Iron Bridge, the same as that of June 1952. 

With this warning in mind, it is time to make sure you are ready – ensure you have stocked up on medicines, essential food items, pet care needs and the like. 

Know the capacity of your property – whether it be rural or in town and take the necessary actions, raise pumps, move stock, put important papers up high. Protect your property if you are in an area that is likely to get water – sandbags are available through the SES, and delivery can be arranged if you need it. 

It is likely that with an already saturated catchment, these waters may hang around for some time, so we may need to be patient. Until then, Forbes, stay safe and remember to call SES on 132 500 if you need assistance. In a life-threatening emergency ring 000. 

What a great community we have. Everyone has worked so well together during these trying times and we will need to again as we brace for potentially more rain and flooding. 

The roads everywhere around our shire are extremely damaged – please be careful, slow down and do not drive through floodwater. Drive to the conditions of the road – which is mostly very poor after all the water over them. 

Another reminder to stay clear of the flood water – there are all sorts of dangers under the surface, and given how much water is about that is flowing fast, makes for very dangerous conditions. 

As always it is a privilege to see the professional emergency operators working through the major flood and preparing for potentially more flooding. Don’t forget to give a hand at the SES to help fill sandbags. Call the SES if you need sandbags or flood assistance on 132 500. 

Forbes Shire Council is here to help and advice, make sure you are signed up to our SMS Flood Warning System – you can all on 6850 2300 or email communications@forbes.nsw.gov.au 

Our website is being updated regularly and all road and other updates are being shared on social media and through our other channels. 

Our thoughts are with the Bedgerebong, Jemalong and Condobolin communities which are now at very high flood levels. 

This is a time when our community works well together – I am so proud of how everyone pitches in to support 

It’s hard to believe that we are in March already!

Our new Visitor Information Centre merchandise shop opened for business on the weekend, with heaps of souvenirs available for purchase, and a great range of books about Forbes, our history, stories for kids etc. We will build on this with local produce and more lovely merchandise when we head down to the new visitor centre at the Lachlan Vintage village but for now, head down to the Railway and check it out!

This year there’s not one but two events for the whole community to enjoy as we celebrate women for International Women’s Day! This Saturday night we have the fabulous international Women’s Day Cocktail party event in our glorious town hall.  Our ticket proceeds for the Cocktail party will all go to Running for Premature Babies – a great cause! In the morning of IWD itself we are partnering with the Business Chamber for their breakfast event in Lions Park – with speaker Rose De Jong.

And finally the Councillors and I are really grateful to all of our sporting organisations for contributing to the Master plans that are currently in development for our sporting precincts. These drafts will be first considered by Council and it won’t be long till we are able to take these back to the Sporting Groups for checking. These plans will give us a great roadmap for how we would like to improve these important facilities.

Take care and God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Forbes Shire Council

Have you seen the new fountains in our beautiful lake? They look fantastic, don’t they! There are so many great features to them including they use a quarter of the power of the old ones, they can be lit up at night with colourful lights and they aerate the water better. That is great news for our fish too! Have a look when you get a chance as they are impressive!

This begins the program of implementing some of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan and we are ever thankful to the NSW Government for giving us $2 million dollars as part of the Public Spaces Legacy Fund.

Last week’s Council Meeting was a great start to the year with lots to discuss. I do want the community to let us know your thoughts regarding larger monuments allowed in our lawn cemetery. Submissions can be made to the General Manager by 5pm 13 March via email forbes@forbes.nsw.gov.au or PO Box 333, Forbes NSW 2871. Our cemetery is very dear to our community and I would like you all to have your say.

Speaking of Your Say we have extended the Housing Survey for another month as we really want you all to jump onto the Forbes Your Say site and let us know what you would like future Forbes to have in the way of housing choices.

God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

You may have heard about the minor fish kill Lake Forbes experienced late last week. We have notified the Department of Primary Industries and they have inspected the waterway. As suspected it is a repercussion of the recent flooding.

Impacts on water quality are expected with the first flush of water on floodplains or after long droughts when organic material such as sticks, leaves, bark and grass is broken down in floodwater or washed off the floodplain into the river resulting in very low dissolved (hypoxic) oxygen levels. This can have localised impacts on fish species. DPI Fisheries will continue to work with partner agencies and stakeholders to manage and monitor water quality and river conditions.

There have been a lot of questions regarding the closure of the Vandenberg Hotel and why isn’t Council doing something about it. I would like the community to know the Council cannot get involved in the sale of businesses. We can encourage the new owners to re-open but we cannot tell them how to run their business.

We have another great event coming up soon, International Women’s Day. Again we will feel inspired by our ‘legendary local ladies’ and feel nourished with amazing canapes and delicious cocktails. Tickets are now on sale through 123tix or see our website for more details. It will be an amazing night and all proceeds will be donated to Running For Premature Babies, a great cause.

God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

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