THE Upper Hunter Show Committee has confirmed it is finalising an Option to Purchase on an area of land within five kilometres of the Muswellbrook CBD.
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President Keith Googe said a small holding deposit of “some thousand” has been arranged for land that is nearly double the size of the existing 12-hectare site.
“We’ve tentatively secured a place where we could go, but no purchase has been made, there is no deadline to finalise the deal and lease arrangements are being put in place as we speak,” he said.
Mr Googe stressed the Upper Hunter Show’s 125th anniversary, starting on March 20, will be held at the existing site with plans well underway to celebrate the event.
The showground committee’s search for a new location has been underway for some time following a decision to sell the existing land on the New England Highway.
Expressions of Interest were called to sell the site, acquired in 1954, mid-way through last year.
“We received some interest but nothing that was satisfactory as far as a sale price, so we decided to leave it on the market pending future improvements in the market,” Mr Googe said.
“The sale amount must justify our plans elsewhere.
“We don’t have to move and we will only move if it is a significantly better place for us with better facilities that can give us sustainability for the next 50 years.”
Mr Googe said the Upper Hunter Show Committee wants any new site to be a facility for all sorts of events, with adequate parking for trailers, camping facilities and all-weather infrastructure.
“It’s a once-off opportunity and that’s the advantage of having a large group involved – different people from different walks of life and different backgrounds – because they must agree it’s a good decision,” he added.
The Chronicle contacted Muswellbrook Shire Council regarding the existing Showground site.
In a brief statement, it said a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) and Master Plan have been exhibited and submissions received, with changes made to the Plans where appropriate.
Council said its technical staff continue to work on stormwater control and disposal.