Major works planned for historic showground

The Narrandera Show Ground Trust Land Manager has applied for substantial capital to manage a five-year redevelopment plan of the showgrounds and its assets.

Mr David Farley said this first started with a topographical and services survey, restoration and remediation surveys on building assets, especially the Industrial Hall Dome building.

The outcome from the application should be known before the end of June 2024 with funding beginning in July of the new financial year.

Mr Farley said the 2023-2024 CRIF application was a critical source of capital for the Show Ground land managers to meet the future of preserving and advancing the Narrandera Show Ground into the future.

Projects work on the Show Ground Trust Land Managers list included:

1. Re-nailing, sanding, and applying linseed oil to the floors of the Pioneer Hall and its dining room annex.
2. At risk and dead tree removal, tree trimming and mulching all trimmed waste.
3. Deconstruction of the redundant and unsafe horse yards on the northeast boundary.
4. Removal of the remaining 50 per cent of the internal trotting track guide rail.
5. Repairs to broken water pipes and taps.
6. Electrical repairs and replacement of switch board and electrical equipment.
7. Grounds and Oval flail mowing.
8. Removal of accumulated unwanted garbage and trash from site.
9. Commissioning of a credit card check in site for campers and caravaners.
10. Burning of grass intertwined into the oval boundary fence.
11. Trailing and commissioning a Xero accounting system.
12. Engineer and architects reports on structural status of the Industrial Hall.
13. Supply and Installation of new site signage.
14. Repairs to the Horse Stable complex and yards.

Mr Farley said all the listed projects were funded internally from funds generated from business activities and the generous philanthropic support from local businesses, a generous Narrandera farmer and grazier supported by many big-hearted and open- handed community residents.

Future projects being scoped and quoted are:

1. Remediation of the camping surface of the 20-site caravan area.
2. Painting program on three important on-site buildings.
3. All of grounds and oval topographical and service survey to determine best fit and design for future works.
4. Engineering and architects, remediation and restoration costs estimates and quotes for the heritage listed 1902 built historic Industrial Hall, affectionally known as “The Dome”.
   Mr Farley pointed out that any works on retrieving The Dome from its seriously deteriorated state would be difficult, challenging and expensive to complete.
5. Restoration of the oval boundary fencing and gates.
6. Ploughing, laser levelling, seeding, and irrigating the 13,000 sqm oval.
7. Improvements to patrons’ amenities services.
8. Building of equine service assets of yards and stable infrastructure to meet equine events and equine transit spelling demand.
9. Investigation of emergency and evacuation services to meet the demand of the community when challenged by natural disaster events.
10. Renewal and replacement of safety and directional signs on site.
11. Removal of earth and wood loading ramps not fit and safe for use.
12. Vegetation reduction program via cool burning when conditions allow.
13. Extensive noxious weed control program to be initiated.
14. Security systems installation.
15. Website design, development and commissioning.

“The majority of all the above projects are highly dependent upon successful CRIF grant applications and community and user co-sponsorship of projects,” Mr Farley said.

He pointed out that the integration of the Show Ground assets and its large oval into the suite of sporting and recreational assets of the Narrandera Shire would position Narrandera with a competitive position to bid for larger regional sporting and recreational events across regional NSW.

“The Narrandera Show Ground an important community asset is a NSW public asset administered by NSW Crown Lands and managed by NSW Crown Lands appointed Show Ground Land Managers. Crown land is property held by the NSW Government on behalf of the public for the benefit of the community.

“The government and the community work in partnership to manage the Crown Estate. Specific sites on the Show Ground land are managed under leases and licences, such as the Men’s Shed, The Shak – Bidgee Fitness, Rotary, Narrandera Show Society and Landcare Narrandera Community Garden.”

He explained that the Land Managers sourced and raised capital to reinvest in the upkeep and maintenance of assets of Show Ground via State and Federal grant funds alongside private company sponsored grant programs and generous philanthropic contribution from the local community.

Income from licenced users of dedicated areas within the Show Ground and income from the Pioneer Hall event rental and camping and caravan site rental allowed the Land Manager to partially meet its obligations and duty of care for the asset and its buildings.

Mr Farley explained that the largest funding opportunity for the Land Managers to source capital from was annual NSW Crown Restoration Investment Fund, known as the CRIF, which is a highly competitive challenge in securing funds.

“The CRIF is continually over applied for by a factor of 3.5 times to funds available, successful applicants usually only secure circa 40 per cent of funds applied for. The 2022 -2023 CRIF funding serviced 45 showground sites across NSW with $5,800,000 of funding from a total funding pool of $18,000,000 funding 267 projects of NSW Crown Land Assets.”

Mr Farley said the corner of Victoria Avenue and Elizabeth Street was a powerful intersection of sporting fields and event venues to attract large scale events, all bringing good commerce to all the local business service providers in Narrandera.

“The Narrandera Show Ground Land Managers welcome community contribution with good ideas and futuristic aspirations for the Show Ground so please contribute via the email address narranderashowground@gmail.com,” he said.  

This article appeared in the  Narrandera Argus, 30 May 2024.