Multimillion dollar project to restore showground

LISMORE Speedway, the local kart club, and other sport and community groups will benefit from the state government’s $4.75 million upgrade and restoration work at the showground.

The project will involve repairs to a wide range of buildings, fencing and roofs.

It comes after $1.43 million was spent on repair work for about 1.1 kilometres of its internal roads last year.

Work will be done on the cattle stalls and sheds, with improved seating in the members’ stand and speedway corporate boxes.

The upgrades will also cater to the arts and crafts community, with the annual Lismore Gemfest one of its major events.

“The Lismore Showground is an iconic venue for locals and has significant historical meaning, particularly for the local Indigenous community,” Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said.

“It attracts visitors and supports local businesses and tourism, so its restoration is vital for community recovery.”

Various amenities including the market toilets will be upgraded, as well as improvements to the offices and press box.

The showground is located on Crown reserves managed by the North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society Incorporated as the appointed Crown land manager.

North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society secretary Mark Sollom said it is vital work to repair damage from the 2022 floods and restore the facility to its full capacity.

“When the flood came through about 95 per cent of the buildings here had water go through them which was unprecedented in living memory,” Sollom said.

“We are really looking forward to having a shiny new showground to work from, set up a regular maintenance schedule and also open up some new areas for events that we have not been able to use before.”