NSW Government upgrades road network at Leeton Showground
The NSW Government has invested over $300,000 to improve the road network at Leeton Showground in the state’s Riverina region, ensuring the beloved, historic showground is safer and more accessible for visitors.
Crown Lands, part of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, funded the $323,421 project through its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF).
Leeton Showground was established over 100 years ago and is a versatile space providing a campsite, a recreational field for the local AFL and netball teams, and a home for the Leeton Harness Trotting Club and Leeton Show Society.
However, after a century of use the showground’s unsealed roads were no longer fit for purpose. During windstorms dust would sweep across the showground onto nearby properties, and the roads would become muddy after heavy rain.
To solve this, about 5,000 square metres of roads at the showground have been tar sealed. The infrastructure upgrade has improved road safety and amenity, will substantially lower maintenance costs and will enable easy access for all visitors, making the showground a more attractive tourist destination.
Parents with strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs will find the showground easier to access thanks to the new paved roads. The investment will make it easier for the showground to hold more events into the future, including markets and school career days.
Emergency services will also have an easier time accessing the area, including helicopter rescue services that use the showground as a landing site.
As part of the CRIF funding, a derelict shed, and hazardous materials were removed including asbestos. In its place, a new, larger storage shed was built, which will provide storage space for showground’s various users.
Leeton Showground Trust Chairperson George Stevens said:
“The improved road network is hugely beneficial for our entire community as our showground is at the heart of our local area.
“Mums and dads come here on weekends to see their child play a round of AFL or a game of netball, and tourists and holidaymakers often stay at our camping site. So it’s really important we have a proper road network so people can drive or walk around the showground with safety and ease.”
Leeton Harness Trotting Club President Joanne Punch said:
“We use the showground every day, and we are so pleased with the upgrades. Everyone in the community has commented on how professional the showground now looks.
“Before the roads were upgraded, the whole showground could become a bit of a dust bowl. Now, it’s a pleasure to come and use the grounds. It is going to be a lot more viable to use facilities moving forward, which is great news for everyone.”
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:
“The people of Murray love the outdoors and Leeton Showground is a treasured meeting place for the whole community, and the annual show highlights their achievements and successes.
“Country shows showcase the rich culture and community spirit of rural Australia. They create a wholesome family friendly environment and this investment in infrastructure is welcome news for the future of this amazing event.
“It’s important people in our community have access to the best facilities, and this new road will ensure the showground can continue to grow and hold more events into the future.”