Financial problems threaten Gold Coast Show's future at Broadwater Parklands
The Gold Coast Show could be forced to move again after a host of problems were revealed with its Broadwater Parklands site.
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The Gold Coast Show could be forced to move again due to costs associated with its Broadwater Parklands site.
The Bulletin understands this year’s show in late August could put the Gold Coast Show Society (GCSS) in debt for up to $50,000, similar to when the council intervened and moved it from the Gold Coast Turf Club at Bundall.
GCSS will seek an increase in its grant from $70,000 to $90,000 in the next fortnight, or be forced to negotiate with council on cutting back on entertainment and events.
A council officer’s report, debated in closed sessions, reveals the “operational risk” for the city and why the GCSS needs to deliver a management model that is sustainable.
“This funding impost has been exacerbated by the impact of COVID restrictions,” the report says.
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The GCSS has not engaged a show manager this year in a bid to rationalise costs, saving almost $70,000. The role will be undertaken by the president and treasurer.
In an update to council officers, GCSS president Josephine Tobias estimated the 2021 budget would be $420,205 — a 14 per cent decrease on the last show in 2019.
Costs include about $20,000 both to lease the site from council and for a traffic management plan. About $40,000 is needed for a COVID-safe plan, including fences.
If the GCSS recorded a net liability of more than $49,000, it would return the event to its financial situation in 2018 when council was forced to intervene and save it.
In 2017 the show raised $300,000 from gate entry at the turf club, but the free event due to the challenge of fencing the Broadwater parklands means it depends on sponsorship and ratepayer money.
Officers in their report say the nature and size of the Southport site made “it difficult and costly to seek to ticket this event at this location primarily related to perimeter fencing”.
The show stretches along a long section of the parklands with the eastern perimeter on the Broadwater where patrons can still access the water.
Councillors have asked organisers to identify alternative income sources, including ticketing for the parklands site, or ticketed components that could include concerts.
They have been asked to identify whether the Broadwater Parklands location is sustainable and, if not, what other venues could be considered.
Ms Tobias confirmed the show society’s board would meet soon. “I will be responding to the issues with council in the next fortnight,” she said.
Councillors appear reluctant to comment until the show society has undertaken a feasibility study on potential locations.
The Bulletin approached Brooke Patterson but the new area councillor declined to comment until more information became available on the show’s future planning.
EARLIER: SHOW SCHEDULED TO RETURN IN AUGUST
The annual Gold Coast show is set to return August 27-29 with a slightly different layout across the Broadwater Parklands.
The Gold Coast show assured the free event will stay COVID-safe without losing the essence of the show.
Gold Coast Show Society President Josephine Tobias said they were determined to get back to the roots of the show by adding a new farm and country precinct.
“COVID has given us the opportunity to revisit and do better,’ Ms. Tobias said.
The Gold Coast council deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the show is a crucial date in their events calendar.
“It was huge last year to miss out on our show because for 115 years people have been coming to this event,” Cr Gates said.
“The best news of all is that entry will be free for every one of the Gold Coast,
“The free entry frees up some spending money for people to bring their kids, buy some fairy floss and some show bags,” she said.
The ambassador of this year’s show is CMC Hall of Fame Inductee and country music icon James Blundell.
“We are thrilled to have James Blundell as the face of our show for 2021,” Ms. Tobias said.
“Having completed his schooling here on the Coast, he epitomizes the country heritage we embody,” she said.
Ambassador James Blundell said the show is a crucial social connection for rural and metropolitan areas.
“I came from the bush and the show was always the most important part of the year,” Mr. Blundell said.
“In the last 25 years I have seen metropolitans take their show out of the city centre and move it to a more practical facility but it loses that idea of planting the country in the middle of town,” he said.
As a part of the COVID social distancing restrictions there will be 1.2 metre-high fences to section the event.
“[Fences and] gates are very important in the country,” Ms. Tobias said.
The show has extended to cover the entire five kilometers of the Broadwater parklands, from Sundale Bridge to Loders Creek.
The event will include the Side Show Alley, Show bag ‘pavilion’, Stallholders, Entertainment Stages, Arts and Crafts, Wood chopping, Equestrian, Dog Show and an Animal farm.
To avoid the long lines at the show bag pavilion the show have decided to move them into vans placed across the Parklands.
“For those who are show goers, you’ll know that the show bag pavilion has lines every day,” she said.
The Gold Coast show has partnered with Cancer Council Australia to raise funds for research and services.
Cancer Council community development specialist Susie Longman said the show lands on the same day as ‘Daffodil Day’.
“The Daffodil is a sign of hope for cancer patients and their families so that will be front and centre,” Ms. Longman.
“Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide, will be a big message,” she said.
The 2020 Gold Coast show was cancelled due to COVID restrictions after an extremely successful year in 2019.
“We saw over 120,000 people in 2019, we are excited to bring back those numbers again,” Ms. Tobias said.
“The numbers will be inflows and outflows, our plan at the moment is all set for that,” she said.
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