The first stages of work to build a KFC and Caltex Foodery for Forbes start this week.
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KFC and Caltex representatives were in town on Friday for an official sod-turning ceremony with Mayor Phyllis Miller, property owner / developers and builders.
Developers Mark Griese and Phil De Gail say we will start seeing sheds and fencing go up on the site this week.
Construction by Becon should begin within two weeks, with building expected to take 30 weeks in total.
Fit-out of the fast food restaurant, service centre and restaurant is scheduled for early March, meaning it should all open about April 2020.
The service centre will cater for the many heavy vehicles travelling the Newell Highway, providing parking and other facilities.
Mr Griese says the need for those is obvious when travelling this section of the Newell Highway.
"I drove down from Dubbo one morning and I counted 75 trucks between Dubbo and here parked on the side (of the roads) asleep," he said.
"There's no facilities.
"Here they'll have a lounge, they'll have a laundry, showers, toilets."
Importantly, says Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller, the service centre incorporates women's facilities for the increasing number of women in the transport industry.
The start of construction on the long-anticipated service centre and fast food outlet is great news for Forbes, Mayor Miller says.
"This is a project that started about three-and-a-half years ago," she said.
It has taken time to get everything lined up, but the necessary planning and approvals are now in place "and we're very excited", Mayor Miller said.
The site has been a hive of activity over the past year: subdivision and preparation work began last October following approval by the Western Region Planning Panel.
This next step, the commencement of construction by Becon, is an exciting milestone.
"I think this is going to be a great advertisement for the township of Forbes and business," Mayor Miller said.
"People on the Newell Highway seeing the activity here, it'll certainly get people thinking about coming to Forbes."
She added there is an emphasis on using local tradespeople during the construction phase.
Further blocks in the Homemakers Centre area are available for development.