Show Day Public Holiday Proposal Opposed By Hunter Business Leaders

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Business executives and some Newcastle Councillors are still not on board with an idea to put a public holiday in place on Show Day, despite the majority of residents coming out in support of the idea. 

An astounding 84 percent of the 114 submissions made on the action came out in support of a public holiday. With many saying the holiday would be a reward to Hunter workers, allowing them to celebrate their local area. 

Despite the majority approval, some see the March 1st holiday as a risk to local businesses. 

One of the opposing figures being Chief Executive of Business Hunter Bob Hawes, who says the public holiday "places serious stress on local businesses over which they have no control". 

He believes the holiday will incur additional charges to consumers due to increased wages. 

A local event day has been put forward as an alternative, which would allow employers to make decisions about time off and rates individually. 

Bob Hawes said this would be a more appropriate option for the region. 

"Businesses to a greater extent have a choice... and those who don't wish to participate and don't wish to pay the additional costs that are consequential to a public holiday, aren't exposed to that stress," he said. 

Amidst already stressful times with rising inflation and cost-of-living, Newcastle Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Katrina Wark, agree with the alternative. 

Grounds for Debate: Newcastle Show Board Fears for Future

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

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.

Image: Newcastle Live.