TWIN CITIES SHOWGROUNDS ENTERS NEW ERA

A long-running impasse between the Townsville Show Society and the Greyhound Racing Club has finally been resolved with both parties agreeing to terms for a new 10-year trustee lease.

The parties had been unable to reach agreement regarding trustee lease arrangements and rental fees before the Department of Natural Resources and Water stepped in to mediate negotiations and broker a positive outcome for all parties.

Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace said the final outcome was a “tremendous outcome” for the Twin Cities and the community.

“For more than a decade the Townsville Show Society and the Greyhound Club have had an at-times very public disagreement about this issue, so it is a huge achievement to negotiate such a positive solution,” he said.

“I would like to commend all parties on their positive contribution and commitment to seeking a long-lasting resolution.

“I would also like to commend my Natural Resources Department for all their great work in this process.

“The Townsville Showgrounds are a unique inner-city special events, sporting and recreation venue, so it is very pleasing to see that this matter can be put to bed once and for all.”

Mr Wallace said the Greyhound Racing Club had operated from the Townsville Showground site for almost 30 years.

“The previous written agreement between the Showgrounds and Greyhounds had expired and was not renewed. This meant that the Greyhounds had no legal authority to use the showground facilities and ongoing arrangements were on a month-by-month basis,” he said.

Mr Wallace said both parties agreed NRW manager Neil Cambourn was instrumental in negotiating the compromise and ensuring the Greyhound Club secured lawful authority to operate from the community purpose facility.

Mr Cambourn said the Trustee Lease negotiations involved facilitating an open negotiating environment with the ultimate aim of reaching a positive agreement for both parties.

“Chris Condon, general manager of the Twin Cities Show, Kate Miles, president of Townsville Greyhound Racing Club and Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and former patron of the Townsville Show were key players in brokering the agreement,” Mr Cambourn said.

Part of the negotiation process involved the Townsville Show Society developing a new Land Management Plan, which was an analytical appraisal of past, present and future management actions required to ensure the sustainable management of the community facilities.

Mr Cambourn said the Townsville Showgrounds Land Management Plan enabled the Trustees to identify the attributes of the land they are entrusted with and manage the site’s social, environment, economic and cultural values.

“The plan considers the legislative and planning requirements for community purpose lands and illustrates the showground’s history, land tenure, the facilities and its uses. Basically it means that the future of the Townsville Showground facility is finally secure.”

Mr Condon and Mrs Miles said an added benefit of the negotiation process was that relations between their two groups had improved significantly and they were looking forward to a bright future.

Ms Nelson-Carr congratulated all parties involved.

“As former patron of the Townsville Show, I was pleased to help sort out this long-running issue. I’m thrilled everyone’s hard work has paid off with such a fantastic outcome.”

The concept of a Thuringowa/Townsville Show was first envisaged in 1876 during a meeting at the Queen’s Hotel, which resulted in the formation of the Townsville Pastoral Agricultural and Industrial Association. The 2006 Twin Cities Show marked Townsville’s 126^th anniversary, making it one of Australia’s longest running provincial shows.

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0414 213 954.