It's all down to two show sites

AFTER nearly two years of speculation, the Daily Mercury can exclusively reveal the two potential locations for Mackay's new showgrounds.

Member for Mirani Ted Malone, left, and Bob Oakes at Mackay showgrounds.

AFTER nearly two years of speculation, the site for Mackay's new showgrounds has been narrowed down to two finalists and the Daily Mercury can exclusively reveal their locations.

One site is at Baker's Creek, the other is between Glenella and Foulden.

The Bakers Creek site is a large piece of land bordered by the Bruce Highway to the east, Stockroute Road to the north, Cowley's Road to the west and extending down towards Temples Lane to the south.

The second site, south of Glenella, off Sugarshed Road, is bordered by Glenella Road to the west, Sugarshed Road to the north and Fursden Creek to the south.

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin confirmed that the State Government, Mackay Regional Council and trustees of the current showgrounds had agreed on a shortlist of two sites. It is believed the Glenella site is council's preferred location.

The future of the showgrounds has been in limbo since the State Government announced in July 2007 that it would sell off the current site for affordable housing.

Member for Mirani Ted Malone said the process had taken too long and a new site was needed now.

Mr Malone said the Show Society was being crushed under exorbitant council rates at the current site, which had risen more than 1000 per cent in the past two years. They needed to be relocated to another site that was not zoned as residential and, therefore, would have cheaper rates.

“I think the State Government is forcing the showgrounds to close down; there's no way they can afford to pay those rates,” he said.

“My real concern is that they will sell off the showgrounds site to the highest bidder and they won't reinvest all the money into another showground.”

Show Society secretary-manager Steve Gavioli said the wait was causing the current showgrounds to fall into disrepair.

“We have a run-down facility, there are the funds to do something but it can't be done because it will be a waste of money. We don't know if we will be here for the next three, five or 10 years,” Mr Gavioli said.

Mr Mulherin said the next step in the process was to appoint a consultant to draw up a business case for a new site for the showgrounds. A consultant would be appointed by Easter.

Next month Mr Mulherin and Mackay Mayor Col Meng will meet with the Deputy Premier Paul Lucas to discuss the showgrounds.

Cr Meng said finding a location for a new showgrounds was a priority for council.

Originally published as It's all down to two show sites