Historic Grinsted Oval is getting a new picket fence, and some other key projects are going to get completed too. 

And who’s got the contract? Members of our agricultural community whose workload has slumped as they wait for the rain. 

Farmer Viv Coady and stock contractor Noel Hocking are two members of the team, and they reckon it’s brilliant. 

Viv has had a mixed farm on the Bogan Gate Road for the past three years - and the crops have failed the past two years in harsh weather conditions.

He used the feed from his first, excellent, year’s crop to prepare his stock for sale – and then reluctantly sold them off. 

“The disappointing part was I had to sell a line of heifers I was hoping to breed,” he said.

So despite the heat this week, Viv was up early and ready to tackle something different.

Getting stuck in to the first project at Grinsted Oval on Wednesday morning, he said it was great to meet and work with new people.

Stock contractor Noel Hocking couldn’t agree more.

After working flat out last year as many farmers sold their stock, his work has also slowed down. 

Four hours into working with the drought contract team, he felt they were going to get on well, and it felt good to be working on a project he’ll drive past and see for years to come.

The flexibility of the Council contract allows him to honour his existing work arrangements and contracts.

For Council’s part, they’re thrilled to have the contract workforce on board.

The pieces of fencing had been sitting in the depot for about nine years, waiting for the resources to install it, Council’s General Manager Steve Loane said.

Future projects they’ll be working on include the installation of solar light bollards on the Lake Forbes walkway and the extension of the cattleyards at the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Council is still recruiting more casual drought contractors, if you’re interested please contact Council on 6850 2300 or email people@forbes.nsw.gov.au