RHYS THOMAS
THE Cairns Show Association has been offered a historic 20-year lease to continue operating out of the Cairns Showgrounds, effectively securing the future of the show industry in the Far North.
Previously, the Cairns Agricultural Pastoral and Mining Association (Cairns Show Association) has operated under a 10-year, then a 15-year lease prior to Covid.
After working off an interim lease during the pandemic, the association has been offered its longest lease yet at 20 years, something Cairns Show Association president Ian Allan couldn’t be happier about.
Mr Allan said council offering the association such a historic lease was a great show of support.
“It’s a historical lease and we’ve been working very closely with council over the past few years – it gives us certainty of tenure,” he said.
“With that certainty there are a lot of service clubs that use the showgrounds and they have been worried that if we didn’t get a long-term lease, they may not have been able to operate.
“The lease we used to have included Barlow Park and a few other organisation which we had no control over.”
Cairns Regional Council also offered long-term leases to other organisations that previously were subleasing from the Cairns Show Society including Cairns Brass Inc and Cairns BMX Club Inc.
Cairns Brass, which has been at the site since 1994, has been offered a 10-year trustee lease as well as the Cairns BMX Club, which has been subletting from the Cairns Show Association for over 40 years.
Mr Allan said the new lease has also given security to The Showman’s Guild and other smaller shows around the region.
“They want to invest in new rides but they didn’t want to in case we didn’t get the lease, they’ve (The Showman’s Guild) have always said that without the Cairns Show they wouldn’t come past Rockhampton,” he said.
“That would be a catastrophe for all the smaller shows because they and us, all work together to make a successful show for everyone around.”
Now having a 20-year lease, the association will be able to apply for considerable funding to improve facilities and services which includes the historic grandstand which has withstood the stand of time.
Trustee permits of three-years will be offered to Cairns Youth and Recreation Centre Inc, Cairns Meals on Wheels Inc, and Cairns Athletics Inc as council officers assist The Kennel Club to secure a long-term subleasing arrangement with the Cairns Show Association.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Next generation of health workers and Officer honoured for going above and beyond.
