Friday, 5th June 2020.
LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has congratulated show committees and secretaries of five local showgrounds on sharing in $301,100 worth of funding under the NSW Government’s Showground Stimulus Funding program.
“I love showgrounds; they are meeting places for the community, great equalisers, where all come together for traditional and contemporary events and gatherings, safe harbours in times of trouble, and supported by armies of wonderful volunteers,” Ms Saffin said.
Ms Saffin said the $25-million program, rolling out over two financial years, was aimed at getting money ‘out the door’ for long-overdue maintenance and improvements of showgrounds, simultaneously keeping local tradespeople in work.
“I was very pleased that these five showgrounds got up and would hope that some of the smaller ones in the electorate could get a look in in the next round. I backed all of them in,” Ms Saffin said.
“Applicants who missed out in Phase 1 should not lose heart because all unsuccessful applications now were being assessed against Phase 2 funding available (financial year 2020-2021) under the popular new program.”
Successful Phase 1 grant recipients and projects include:
- Bonalbo Showground: Electrical connection and power installation $18,500; kitchen fit out, barbecue and bar building $15,000; install horse stall panelling $14,400.
- Lismore Showground: Electrical upgrades – replace distribution boards $125,000.
- Murwillumbah Showground: Replace stairs and doors of main pavilion $20,000; replace rails and gates on main showground arena ring $32,000; refurbish horse stables $22,480; replace ridge capping, roofing, guttering and downpipes on two buildings $18,500.
- Nimbin Showground: Tile one existing amenities block $22,000.
- Tenterfield Showground: Remove dead trees $4620; repair white ant damage – tool shed and toilet block $8600.
The Showground Stimulus Funding program is part of the NSW Government’s $2.3-billion Health and Economic Stimulus Package (COVID-19 Stimulus).
Applications for Phase 2 closed late last month. However, showground managers are able to furnish additional information in support of unsuccessful Phase 1 proposals, or additional Phase 2 proposals until 12 June, 2020.
