Labor pledges money for showgrounds

MEMBER for Ballarat Catherine King has made a $1.5 million funding pledge for the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society if Labor wins the Federal election in May.

The election commitment includes funding an events and exhibition centre at the new Mount Rowan showgrounds site, which could hold 400 people standing or 300 seated.

The centre will be used for events including agricultural shows, community gatherings, balls, workshops and private events.

“This is such an important part of our community,” Ms King said. “I can’t imagine Ballarat without the Ballarat Show but also all the sheep shows, the caravan and camping shows.

“I so want this site to be a success – we know the move of the Ballarat Showgrounds out here into this facility has been a long time coming and there’s been a huge amount of investment that’s gone on here.”

Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society co-president Matthew Menhennet said the events and exhibition centre would provide a unique offering at the site.

“Corporate businesses for instance trying to sell their agricultural work, other businesses around central Victoria can come and they can hold conference inside events and then they can hold demonstrations on the outside,” he said.

“It will bring, we hope, lots and lots of visitors to Ballarat – business benefits from that in Ballarat.”

The commitment also includes upgrades to the site’s equestrian centre to make it more accessible including tiered seating, a redesigned viewing area, a meeting room and increased arena access.

Riding for the Disabled uses the centre weekly to provide therapeutic programs for adults and children.

President Kylie Heath said the upgrades will make the space more comfortable and inclusive.

“It will mean that we will be able to have more of an audience,” she said.

“We have the riders’ carers and families come along so it will be a lot more comfortable.”