Funding sought for showgrounds

MEMBERS of the Korumburra Agricultural and Pastoral Society are appealing for emergency funding from the South Gippsland Shire Council.
Following the purchase of a block of land from Auddino’s First National’s Korumburra Saleyards auction on October 31, the A and P Society is in need of funds for parking and traffic management.
The land was purchased for $120,000, a pleasing result for the vendor. A $60,000 deposit has been made.
The full deposit needs to be made within 70 days of the purchase.
Cr Jim Fawcett said it wasn’t a good look for a community group to buy more than they could afford.
However Syd Whyte was not directly seeking money for the land but for improved facilities.
Cr Lorraine Brunt supported the A and P society, saying it made the best of a difficult circumstance.
“The A and P Society didn’t think the land would become available,” Cr Brunt said.
“There is a shortage of space at the showgrounds and in reality this was an opportunity not to be missed.
Works need to start to improve parking space for patrons and drainage at the Korumburra Showgrounds, which is owned largely by the A and P Society and hosts a lot of major community events.
“We can have up to 4000 patrons during the swap meet,” A and P Society vice president Syd Whyte said.
“We can’t allow cars to be parked in the grounds during the Dairy Expo because there’s no room.”
It also fosters many successful clubs including the pony club and the Korumburra Bena Football Netball Club.
The new land will extend the Korumburra Showgrounds by 1.3 acres.
The shire and specifically Korumburra is becoming a home to many retirees and sea-changers. This funding will help the A and P Society meet the expectations of all residents and provide a functioning facility.
Adequate parking needs to be put in place, tree management needs to be improved and the A and P Society want to see an improvement plan for the overall site.
“It’s important to have the reserve look attractive from the highway to encourage support and use,” Mr Whyte said.
The skate park is popular among the youth in the town but the A and P society is pushing for relocation. The space is needed for extra parking, as opposed to parking along the dangerous highway.
There is gravel parking throughout the reserve which is poorly designed and in average condition.
Deputy mayor Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks said council required a clear proposal before it can assist.
Mayor Cr Jeannette Harding said once an application is made, the senior staff will look into grounds for funding and decide whether they are for or against the matter.

Funding wanted: from left, the Korumburra Agricultural and Pastoral Society vice president Syd Whyte, Gippsland Historical Automobile Club life member Max Wise and Korumburra Agricultural and Pastoral Society president Doug Appleton appealed to the South Gippsland Shire Council for emergency funding on Wednesday.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Nov 25 2014. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry