Beyond the Range

Forbes Shire is one of the richest primary producing areas in the State, loved for its magnificent rural landscape, endless horizons, green and gold paddocks and the still waters of the Lachlan River.

The township of Forbes is nestled beside a natural lagoon, which is home to an exclusive mix of boutique stores, cozy eateries, distinctive attractions and genuinely friendly locals.

Forbes Shire Council encourages economic development, especially job growth and wealth creation within the community. Forbes has a diverse economy built on irrigated land holdings, dairying operations, dry farming, grazing, manufacturing industries, retail and trade sectors and a lively expanding tourism market. All of these factors, means Forbes is the perfect place to live, work, play and invest.

Useful Links

Forbes Shire Council 

Find it in Forbes

Invest NSW Central West

Incentives for health professionals

The Forbes community and Council are rightly proud of their commitment to providing the infrastructure and services required to attract and retain health professionals in the region. In 2007, Forbes Council identified that the development of a walk in walk out medical facility was crucial to the long term sustainability of medical services in Forbes. This formed part of Council’s commitment to the attraction and retention of doctors and recognised the link between essential medical services and economic prosperity within a town.

Today, Forbes is a popular regional destination for health professionals seeking work life balance and a supportive, embracing community.

Forbes Shire is classified as MMM4 under the Department of Health’s new “Modified Monash Model” classification system that categorises areas according to both geographical remoteness and town size. The system was developed to recognise the challenges in attracting health workers to more remote and smaller communities. Medical professionals moving from major city areas to Forbes may be entitled to relocation and retention benefits from the General Practice Rural Incentives Program.

Click here for more information on the General Practice Rural Incentives Program.

Council Contact
Mr Danny Green
General Manager
mailto:danny.green@forbes.nsw.gov.au
6850 2300

The excellent Forbes Medical Precinct is made up of the Forbes Medical Centre, the Forbes District Hospital, a 24 hr Helipad, the Forbes Ambulance Station and the Jemalong Regional Education Centre – all within walking distance.

The Forbes Medical Centre opened in 2009 and includes;

• 18 large fully fitted out consultation rooms
• Two treatment rooms
• Utilities, storage and cleaners rooms
• Children’s play area
• Large staff/conference room
• Spacious reception and waiting areas
• Pathology incorporating reception/waiting area, 2 x collection rooms, utilities and staff rooms.
• Currently undergoing expansions with another four consulting rooms to be added

The Jemalong Regional Education Centre (JREC) is a medical and education facility that provides training, conference and accommodation facilities for related fields. Developed by Forbes Shire Council to attract allied health and educational professionals. Forbes Shire Council now enjoys positive partnership with a number of NSW universities and Western Institute of TAFE, the facility boasts single, double and self-contained unit accommodation, video conferencing, multi-purpose conference room and Wi-Fi.

Part of the Lachlan Health Service, the Forbes has a procedural hospital with a capacity of 32 beds. Services include;

• 24 hour emergency care
• Acute and subacute inpatient services including medical, surgical, maternity, rehabilitation, and palliative care
• Diagnostic services
• Outpatient services including renal dialysis
• A range of primary and community health care services including outreach services to surrounding towns and villages.

The $40.9 million redevelopment of Forbes Hospital, due for completion in 2016, will include;

• Emergency department
• Inpatient ward
• Birthing suite for maternity services
• Upgrade of Ambulatory Care treatment area, including expanded renal and dental facilities
• Clinical Support Services, including Medical Records and Medical Imaging; and
• Refurbishment of the heritage building for office spaces.

To view the latest information on this project visit the Lachlan Health Service Project website.

The River Arts Festival

The Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival is a biennial community celebration of country creativity and resilience. It is a regional festival for the entire Kalari-Lachlan River catchment and neighbouring river systems.

Vanfest

Proving it’s not all utes and Akubra’s in the Central West, Vanfest is a major live music event featuring some of the biggest names in music. Forbes has Vanfest!

Forbes Golf Course

Forbes’ beautiful 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, with 4 water crossings, is a country course suitable for players of all levels. The club encourages membership applications from juniors through to Veterans and welcomes visitors.

Youth and Community Centre

The Youth and Community Centre (YACC) is open to everyone. It has a large gym sized area equipped with a kitchen, lounge area, computer area with free internet services, printing and scanning, a large fenced in outdoor area and a variety of sporting equipment and BBQ for hire.

The centre is currently used for a variety of groups offering dance, martial arts, play groups and a vacation care program for school aged children throughout the holidays. Past one off hires include private parties, the Annual Small Wine Makers Wine Show, an Easter Quilt Show and luncheons to name a few.

The Forbes Show

Like all country towns, the Forbes Agricultural Show is one of the most important events of the year, showcasing the region’s agricultural industry and bringing the community, young and old, together.

Forbes Farmers’ Markets

Forbes Farmers’ Markets is a fresh food and produce markets held on the 4th Saturday, each month at the Forbes Showground in the Ben Hall pavilion.

The Forbes Riverside Community Garden

The Forbes Riverside Community Garden is a community driven project, auspiced by Forbes Shire Council.  The Garden is operated by a Management Committee which is responsible for the day to day operation of the Garden. Membership is open to all residents of the Forbes Local Government Area.

Click here for information on the many clubs and social groups in Forbes.

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  Forbes Medical Precinct and Jemalong Regional Education Centre

  In 2007, Forbes Council identified the need for a “walk in walk out” medical facility READ MORE

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  The Lachlan Health Service

  The $113.7 million Lachlan Health Service Project is funded by the NSW Government, and includes both the planning and capital components for the Forbes and Parkes hospital redevelopments. READ MORE

In the Forbes region, your child will have the opportunity to live the healthy, nurturing country lifestyle people in metropolitan areas dream of.

Forbes shire contains five public schools;

• Forbes High School,
• Forbes Primary School,
• Forbes North Primary School,
• Corinella Public School,
• Bedgerebong Public School and

And two private schools;

• Red Bend Catholic College with boarding facilities
• St Laurence’s Primary School.

Other educational groups in Forbes are Little Learners, Bright Beginnings, Learning Ladder Childcare Centre, Forbes pre-school kindergarten, Forbes Skillshare, Lach-haven, Lachlan House with no steps, College for seniors, Community College and Family Day care.

At a tertiary level the area is serviced by the Forbes TAFE and the Conservatorium of Music.

More private schools with boarding facilities are located in Bathurst and Orange.

Where you live and work is just as important to your spouse as it is to you. We are here to help you and your spouse feel welcomed into our community. We will do all we can to help your spouse settle in to the community, to find employment, to find new friends and to find the right information about schools, training, clubs, activities to suit his or her lifestyle.

Please speak to Forbes’ Beyond the Range contact, Mr Brian Steffen, regarding employment opportunities and contacts to assist your spouse to find the perfect job and lifestyle in Forbes.

Council Contact
Mr Brian Steffen
General Manager
brian.steffen@forbes.nsw.gov.au
0432 003 364

These photos show examples of properties that have been for sale in the past.

The average house price in Forbes is currently $215,000– very affordable compared to the metropolitan housing market. Classic, large, double brick bungalows, for example, are easy to find in the region, within the villages or out on your own piece of land.

To browse properties currently in the market in and around Forbes, please go to;

Michael Robinson & Co Forbes Real Estate Agent www.ref.com.au

RealEstate.com Forbes properties 

If you have any further questions about relocating to Forbes please speak to Forbes’ Beyond the Range contact

Mr Danny Green

General Manager

danny.green@forbes.nsw.gov.au

6850 2300