Equestrian group blasts Gympie council’s price hike at Kilkivan arena

The president of a Kilkivan-based equestrian group is calling for Gympie council to rethink one of its latest price hikes, saying the arena does not offer the facilities to support the rise and smaller groups will be forced out.

Noosa District Working Equitation Inc president Karen Blagg is (inset) is calling on Gympie Regional Council to rethink its latest price hike for hiring the $2.4 million Kilkivan Showround and Equestrian Centre, saying doing so will force small groups like hers to go elsewhere

The president of a of Kilkivan-based equestrian group is calling on the Gympie council to rethink its latest price hike at the South Burnett township’s $2.4 million Equestrian Centre, saying it will price community groups out.

Noosa District Working Equitation Inc’s Karen Blagg said the council had previously hired the centre out at a cost of $100 per day, plus extra for each horse, capped at $300 per day.

Under the new prices adopted by the council, Mrs Blagg said the next event would cost the club almost $440, an increase of 46 per cent, or $190.

“We’re going to run the weekend at a loss,” Mrs Blagg said.

Noosa District Working Equitation president Karen Blagg said under the new pricing scheme adopted by Gympie Regional Council, an event which cost her group $300 last year would now be priced at $440.

The price rise was frustrating as the NDWE was in the process of changing its name to reflect the township which was now its home, having moved their operations after the centre opened in 2019.

However Mrs Blagg said it still lacked a number of facilities, including horse yards and stables, a sprinkler system for irrigation, warm up and wash down areas, and better access to power supplies.

In a letter she forwarded to the council on Monday she said since the centre opened the council “has made limited improvements to the facilities that would warrant such a massive increase in hiring fees”.

The new fees were adopted in May 2023, as part of the council’s budget process.

The council had not replied by deadline.

Mrs Blagg said the price rise would be more palatable if the centre had more facilities to offer, saying it was “limited” compared to what competing arenas at Toowoomba, Caboolture and Warwick offered.

“For the price they’re charging it just doesn’t seem to be up to scratch,” Mrs Blagg said.

“They’re just going to drive away small community groups.

“I really want this to work.

“I don’t want to have to look for a different place.”