Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey to announce funding for the Koorawatha Showground from the NSW Government COVID-19 stimulus package.
The Koorawatha Showground Land Manager will be installing evaporative cooling for its pavilion and luncheon booth, while also completing work on the amenities block thanks to a total injection of $86,953.
Ms Cooke said Koorawatha would be able to modernise facilities ahead of future events.
“Koorawatha will be able to host guests and events year-round in comfort thanks to this substantial grant from the stimulus,” Ms Cooke said.
“The showground is a fantastic community asset and is a deserving recipient of this funding which will help stimulate the local economy. Well done to everyone involved.”
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said this funding is part of $25 million that will be spent over two years to improve showgrounds across the State.
“$12.5 million is being allocated immediately to get projects underway this financial year under the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Stimulus Package,” Mrs Pavey said.
“We will then follow through by allocating another $12.5 million for more work across showgrounds to be announced next financial year.”
The twenty local showgrounds would be among 137 across the State that will benefit from the first tranche of funding.
“Showgrounds today are multi-use facilities for a range of activities from agricultural shows, rodeos and horse clubs to farmers markets, festivals, camping, men’s sheds, and sport and cultural events,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Our showgrounds are at the heart of communities including serving as evacuation centres during bushfire and flood so we want to keep them in good shape.”
Harry Houghton President of the Koorawatha Land Manager and the Show Society said with COVID it has been impossible to raise funds for the showground, so the grant is a welcome boost.
“The show is held in the first week of March, which has been very hot the past five years and the Pavilion has been so warm the cakes and vegetables on display have cooked!” Mr Houghton said.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do the work without this funding, and it was possibly the best thing that we’ve seen happen to us at the showground in the last few years.”
