Three showgrounds in the Parkes Shire have received good news this week of grants worth thousands of dollars for upgrades to facilities.
The Parkes and Tullamore show societies will receive $102,183 and $148,550 respectively through the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program, while Peak Hill received funding through the improvement program of the NSW Government.
A total of $20 million in grants were allocated to 122 regional agricultural show societies to renew and reinvigorate ageing showgrounds.
Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the grants would also serve as a much needed cash injection in the wake of recent bushfires and the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Ag shows are the heart and soul of our regional communities. They bring and keep communities together, link the country to the city and provide a key boost to these local economies.”
The money in Parkes will be used to carry out repairs to the luncheon room involving roof, box guttering and ceiling replacement, and repairs to the main arena grandstand including flooring, seating, handrails, steps and loose brickwork. Bird-proofing will also be installed.
The Tullamore Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Association Inc will use the money to concrete the poultry shed floor, provide new flooring for bathrooms, line the pavilion dining room, install shelter over horse yards, construct a verandah for the pony club shed, provide power for barbecues and shelter at the camping area, and provide portable yards.
The upgrades at Peak Hill will focus on keeping facilities safe and functional.