Spotlight shines on future for Gympie Showgrounds

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien welcomed a bright future for Gympie Showgrounds, with the official opening of its new lighting system.

Gympie Show Society received a $91,185 grant through the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund towards the $183,885 project, which included the installation of four light pole foundations and cages, headframes, light fittings and control panels.

“This new lighting system means more people can enjoy use of the Showgrounds, which will play an important role in strengthening Gympie’s economy as we begin to re-establish events like agricultural shows and sporting competitions following COVID-19,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The addition of these lights will also ensure the arena can be used at night and early mornings, including so more community and sporting groups can use the grounds during the cooler parts of the day.”

The new lighting for the Gympie Showgrounds main area is one of eight projects in Wide Bay to benefit from a share of $2,776,152 under Round 3 of the Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

Gympie Regional Council contributed $61,200 and the project also received $31,500 through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

“Gympie Showgrounds is a fantastic and popular facility, used for everything from barrel racing to fire brigade training, and I’m pleased to help make the grounds even more useful to the community as well as creating two jobs through the construction phase,” Mr O’Brien said.