Organisers of Newcastle's annual regional show are locked in a dispute with Venues NSW over the future of showground land at Broadmeadow.
As part of a revitalisation to the precinct surrounding McDonald Jones Stadium, it's believed the huge space near Brown and Curley Roads will be sold off to developers of medium-density housing.
The showground's parade ring and grandstand are off-limits due to heritage listing, but the Show Board says it's impossible to hold their event in the remaining space.
Board President, Peter Evans said it's all happening due to a 2008 change of legislation.
"What [the state government] should have done is transferred the name of the property to the Show, because the Newcastle Show had the rights to that property in perpetuity subject to it always being used for a Show," he explained, "but in 2008 the property was vested in Venues NSW."
The sale will help fund a new International Sporting Centre which the Show Board said they support.
"What they're doing is fabulous for the city...but I think there are other ways governments can find funds and destroying the Newcastle Show isn't the way to do it."
Mr Evans said meetings with Venues NSW have so far fallen flat, with proposed alternate locations like McDonald Jones Stadium seemingly untenable.
"You definitely can't have a show there, no way in the world," Mr Evans said.
"It would be very interesting to see horses riding around [the pitch] on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday and within a couple of days needing to host a game of football there..."
It's anticipated firmer details about the Broadmeadow Sports Precinct will be discussed in state parliament by NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres late this year.
Until then, discussions between the landholder and Show Board will continue.
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| Image: Newcastle Live. |
