Isaac Regional Council has endorsed the Nebo Showgrounds Master Plan after a lengthy process of public consultation.
Mayor Anne Baker said this is a key milestone, allowing Council to apply for Federal Government funding for the initial stage of the new project.
"I want to thank the stakeholder groups and individual Isaac residents who have had input into shaping this plan," Mayor Baker said.
"The final plan now reflects a consensus of community views and will help ensure the best practicable range of amenities and opportunities is developed at the Nebo Showgrounds in the future.
"This is a 20-year plan to guide future development on the site but, now that is has been supported by the Isaac community and endorsed by Council, we will get initial work underway as early as possible."
Mayor Baker said the first step was to apply for promised Federal Government funding.
"We received funding commitments of up to $5 million from the current Federal Government prior to the election in May last year.
"Council will be applying now for $2.8 million through the Investing in Our Communities Grant program. The process of application submission, assessment, award and contract execution, etcetera can take several months but the process has commenced.
"This funding will cover infrastructure upgrades – including improvements to power, water and drainage – plus heavy vehicle access, general camping and car parking upgrades.
"After that, we will look at undercover arena upgrades, an outdoor arena design for multi-purpose facility and outdoor arena open space upgrades, and sport oval multi-purpose amenities (such as change rooms), expected to cost around $4.5 million.
"The next stage after that will cover further outdoor arena upgrades (multi-purpose facility and arena and secondary loading facility renewal), Traditional Owner and stockman's interpretative information provision, additional competitor livestock upgrades (such as stalls and penning areas), and car parking upgrades inside the grounds and out on Bowen Street, at a cost of $5.4 million.
"That will complete what we refer to as Stage 2 of the development. A third stage will be planned in more detail and costed out down the track."
Mayor Baker emphasised the importance of community consultation and input.
"This process began in December 2020 and the first public consultations began in March 2021, more than two years ago, which included face-to-face engagements despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19.
"More consultation and survey work followed and then, in October 2021, we formed a Nebo Showgrounds Master Plan Advisory Committee (NSMPAC) drawn from public nominations.
"Seven NSMPAC meetings were held (every second month), Council had 12 engagements with government bodies (Federal, State and other local) and 10 meetings of a special working group.
"Between May and July this year, with the final Master Plan taking shape, consultation activities included stepping up social media – reaching more than 5,600 people – conducting an online survey, staffing a pop-up stand at the Nebo Rodeo, and letterbox-dropping information to 2,418 properties in the Nebo area.
"It was an extensive process – and, for some of our staff, I am sure exhausting as well – and this consultation and feedback were vital in producing the final Master Plan now endorsed by Council."
Mayor Baker said the Nebo Showgrounds is an important piece of infrastructure for the entire region.
"The Nebo Showgrounds are hired for more than 80 days every year and attract more than 20,000 people from across regional Australia every year.
"Just one example: it is home to the biggest one-day rodeo in Australia, with an attendance of 5,000-plus.
"What Council is doing at the Nebo Showgrounds is part of a broader program to reinvigorate critical social infrastructure that supports the agricultural industry and community events, which are an integral part of the social fabric of the Isaac region.
"This will be achieved by modernising traditional facilities, enabling infrastructure and driving collaboration for our sustainable communities.
"The immediate objective at the Nebo Showgrounds has been to deliver a Master Plan to guide development of the precinct over the next 20-plus years.
"We wanted to ensure the Master Plan spells out pathways for economic, social and community
development for Nebo, its surrounding districts, the Isaac region and Queensland as a whole.
"We have identified priority projects for the Nebo Showgrounds precinct, and also projects beyond the scope and timeframe of the Master Plan to be shovel-ready for future funding opportunities."
"Council will continue to work in consultation with the Nebo and broader Isaac community in this process, and I want to thank again everyone who has contributed so far."
Visit Nebo Showgrounds Master Plan – Isaac Regional Council to view a copy of the plan.
