$750,000 available for showground improvements

A budget of $750,000 from the Public Reserves Management Fund (PRMF) has been set aside for improvements at showgrounds this year.

Funds are allocated as loans or grants, or a combination of the two, and help drive the development, maintenance and upgrading of Crown land showgrounds.

Showgrounds form an intrinsic part of the fabric of many regional communities in NSW and provide a venue for agricultural shows, farmers’ markets, concerts, rodeos and festivals, as well as facilities for local sporting clubs and social groups.

The funds are spent on wide range of projects, from repairing and replacing roofs, guttering, windows and fences to constructing or renovating grandstands.

So far this year, grants and loans worth a total of just over $478,000 have been approved to help with the upkeep and improvement of 15 showgrounds.

These include:

• A grant of $19,300 and the offer of a loan of $30,000 to the Kyogle Showground Trust to help finance the refurbishment of the caretaker’s cottage in the grounds.
• A $6,000 grant and the offer of a $10,000 loan to help with the reconstruction of a poultry and animal nursery pavilion at Kangaroo Valley Showground.
• A grant of $6,093 and a loan of $10,100 to the Mullumbimby Showground Trust for electrical repairs.
• A $12,000 grant and the offer of an $18,000 loan to help renovate the amenities block and show office at Bangalow Park Showground.
• A grant of $15,000 and the offer of a loan of $20,000 to the Bellingen Showground Trust towards roof repairs and the installation of insulation in the main pavilion at Bellingen showground.
• A $9,200 grant and the offer of a loan of $10,000 to help fund structural repairs to the main grandstand at Dungog Showground.
• A grant of $30,000 and the offer of a loan of $60,000 for the building of an amenities block inside Maitland Showground.

The PRMF is used to finance upgrades and safeguard Crown land reserves, such as parks, showgrounds, walking tracks and caravan parks.

If you want to apply for PRMF grant funding you should follow these three simple steps:

• Contact your local Crown Lands office for tips on getting your application approved.
• Print out an application form from the LPMA website – the forms can be found in appendix J of the trust handbook (pages 93 to 100) at: http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/110402/rth_Appendices_August_2009.pdf

• Submit your funding request to your Crown Lands office by 30 April.