Gold Coast Show 2018: Mayor Tom Tate says show will stay at Southport after stunning opening day success
THE GOLD Coast show is back. That’s the message from organisers and city leaders after one of the biggest opening days the historic event has seen in decades. Its success now has civic leaders considering its future home.
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HUGE crowds on the first day of the new-look Gold Coast Show have given the community event’s new home a resounding thumbs up.
While the show’s relocation from the Gold Coast Turf Club to sister sites at Broadwater Parklands and Owen Park this year had been mooted as temporary, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he wants the Southport venues to be the event’s new permanent home.
Cr Tate tipped this year’s landmark show to rope in a crowd of up to 100,000 people across three days.
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“It looks like this 112-year show has found a new home,” he said.
“I like it so much that I think this should be a permanent home.
“I’ll look in the mirror and say ‘mayor, let’s have it right here every year’.”
Asked if he had the ultimate say on where the show would be held, Cr Tate said “of course”.
“I reckon all our council colleagues will be a thumbs up on this and you know as they say, eight hands up and you can burn the city down and in this case, eight hands up and the show will stay here for another 100 years.”
Moving part of the show to Owen Park this year facilitated the return of a full program of equestrian events after organisers were forced to shelve the competition in 2014 when the show was relegated from Parklands Showgrounds to the Gold Coast Turf Club.
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Cr Tate said the huge opening day crowds vindicated organisers’ decision to stage the event across two sites.
“I say to those critics (of the split venues) come on down and you’ll criticise no more because the smiles that I see out there — it has worked and due to our light rail, we can get between the space quite easily.
“Everything rules right here in the middle of our city.
“What I love about it is it’s free for all the families.
“It used to cost $45 for a family and now it’s free. You’re already a winner when you walk through the gate here.
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“Spend that $45 you save on the rides, spend it on the food, spend it on your family.”
Area councillor Dawn Crichlow said it was great to see so many families embracing the show and its new homes.
She said the event was welcome to make Southport its permanent base.
“I would like to see the free attendance continue on,” she said.
“In the country areas it is always free. This is show day for the people of the Gold Coast and they are voting with their feet.”
Cr William Owen Jones said the State Government should help cover the cost of public transport for people travelling between venues in the show precinct next year.
“It would be nice next year if our State Government could make it free trams for people as well,” he said.
Steve Curtis from Showtime Showbags, who has been selling showbags at the Coast event for 10 years, said this was the biggest opening day since the show played Parklands Showgrounds.
“This is the biggest I’ve ever seen,” he said.
“For the first three or four hours, we’ve never done a day’s work like it.”
Mr Curtis said some showbags were likely to sell out before Sunday.
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Highlights on Saturday’s program at Owen Park include the Stud Beef Competition, national qualifying equestrian events, the dog shows, food trucks, a baby animal farm and goats.
Crowds heading to Owen Park can catch the light rail to the Queen St station or pay $5 to park at Southport High School.
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Police have reminded motorists travelling anywhere near Broadwater Parklands at Southport to expect delays throughout the weekend due to traffic diversions.
“Police will be present at, and around, the show site to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to local residents and businesses throughout the event,” Major Events Group Inspector Matt Rosevear said.
Residents and pet owners are also warned the Gold Coast Show will host a fireworks display at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and on Sunday at 7pm.
Police say motorists can expect delays and traffic congestion at the following Southport roads:
• Speed reduction to 40km/hr along the Gold Coast Highway between Nind Street and Sundale Bridge until 10pm Sunday.
• Closure of parking bays along the Gold Coast Highway between Nerang Street and Ada Bell Way until 11pm Sunday.
• Congestion on Queens Street, outside Owen Park, due to Gold Coast Show Equestrian events.
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