MONEY to refurbishment of aging agricultural showground infrastructure across Australia has come to fruition with 33 NSW show societies gaining $4.016 million of a national $20 million pie for 122 shows.
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The funding has been delivered through the Regional Agricultural Shows Development Grants program.
Minister for agriculture David Littleproud said the grants would also serve as a much needed cash injection the regional and rural showgrounds in the wake of recent bushfires and the COVID-19 outbreak.
Aging infrastructure plus futuristic electronic IT have been included with grants from as little as $26,000 for new seating at Wentworth showgrounds to $500,000 for refurbishment and expansion of the horse and cattle complex, poultry pavilion, fencing of arena and pavilion facilities, and water upgrade at Coonamble showgrounds. Twenty show societies gained around $100,000.
Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC) gained $393,000 for a new AgShow audience experience at competitions from passive observers to being engaged and become active learners.
ASC president, Tim Capp, said the focus was to attract and engage those show-goers who otherwise would have continued straight past the agricultural competitions.
SOME OF THE FUNDING RECIPIENTS INCLUDE:
- Agricultural Pastoral & Show Society of Lockhart, $75,360 to upgrade the Lockhart Showgrounds livestock sheds including roofing and footing repairs, and construction of a secure, portable ticketing booth.
- Illabo Show Society, $118,501 to upgrade the pavilion kitchen at the showgrounds, install solar panels and a water pump to service the show dog arena, install a PA system, and erect a permanent sheep yard.
- Ardlethan Show Society, $46,024 to refurbish kitchen and servery facilities and club house.
