NEWCASTLE Show organisers say they have struck a deal with Venues NSW to release some of the money raised from car parking at the showground to help pay for next year’s Newcastle Show.
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Show committee president Peter Evans said on Tuesday that the committee still hoped to save the showground area from housing development, but it was pleased to work with the government agency to make the 2019 show the best it could be.
He declined to say how much funding had been made available but said it would make a difference.
“Venues NSW will be a major sponsor in 2019, meaning we can put on the type of show we haven’t seen in decades,” Mr Evans said.
Venues NSW chief executive Paul Doorn said sponsoring the show was “an easy decision”.
“We're looking to grow the show over the next decade to meet the needs of the region, but still respect the traditional elements of the past,” Mr Doorn said.
The show will be held from March 1 to March 3.
Concerns over the future of the show were raised last month by the show committee, with Mr Evans and fellow board member Graham Poole going public with their concerns over government plans to fund the redevelopment of the Broadmeadow sports precinct by selling much of the showground site for housing.
The show ring and its grandstand would remain, because of heritage listing.
Mr Evans had complained about being unable to secure a meeting with the relevant people in Sydney.
He said those meetings had now taken place, and progress was being made, although the committee still opposed any sale of showground land.
The issue was also raised earlier this month in state upper house budget estimates committee hearings.