Bingara Show Society President Russell Smyth, left, Bingara Pony Club and Show Society committee members Robert and Sonia Coombes, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Gwydir Shire Deputy Mayor Catherine Egan and Gwydir Shire Council Building Services Manager Colin Cuell inside the old Bingara Showground stables, which will soon be replaced.
Monday, 12 November 2018
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today announced a $50,000 State Government grant that will give the Bingara Showground a big kickalong with a brand new horse stables block.
Mr Marshall said the funding would allow Gwydir Shire Council to replace an ageing and dilapidated wooden structure with a modern steel 24-stable block that would stand the test of time.
“The existing block is basically unusable and dangerous, especially in the wet, so this new building will give the showground a gee-up when it comes to hosting equine events,” Mr Marshall said.
Gwydir Shire Deputy Mayor Catherine Egan, who is also the showground management committee chair, said the new block would be the second for the showground and delivered another outstanding asset renewal project from the State Government.
“This will enable us to rebuild an entire stables block that was in bad repair, prone to flooding, and is well and truly beyond its use-by-date,” Cr Egan said.
“This rebuild will be a steel frame and corrugated iron roofing on a compacted soil, granite and sawdust base.
“It’s an excellent project for our council and volunteers and council will be involved in doing the knock-down, the groundworks including levelling and compaction works to allow for the construction.”
Mr Marshall said he was proud to be involved with the latest funding win that will build on a $12,000 grant three years ago that saw the first stables block completed and after an earlier $13,000 grant under the Public Reserves Management Fund to replace a section of the old ring fencing at the grounds.
“This latest funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund adds to the overall asset building agenda the council and showground management committee has,” Mr Marshall said.
“The new block was the next priority on the wishlist, so it can overcome a shortfall in stable demand during some busy events, but also adds to their facilities and the scope for hosting larger horse activities.
“Showgrounds are wonderful assets valued by the local community and their ongoing success is vital to local sports and activities and to business and tourism in regional towns – and this is particularly true of Bingara.”