Seventeen agricultural shows across SA will receive cash injections to carry out projects aiming to renew showground facilities and help sustain those show societies which have been forced to cancel events.
The SA grants, totalling more than $2.33-million, form part of the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program, which is providing much-needed funds to 122 shows across the country.
Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said the grants would help to improve future shows.
"These grants will help show societies refurbish their show grounds and facilities, so that when their next event rolls around it will be even more attractive to show goers," he said.
"Ag shows are the heart and soul of our regional communities. They bring and keep communities together, link the country to the city and provide a key boost to these local economies.
"Upgrading show facilities means more visitors to these regional events, more local employment, and more tills ringing in local businesses."
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Mr Littleproud said the grants would be used for a range of infrastructure works, from small-scale upgrades to major overhauls, set to be of benefit to the community year-round.
SA show societies which successfully received grants include:
- Balaklava And Dalkey Agricultural Society: $124,999 to extend the current Ralli Pavilion at Ralli Park and construct new disability-accessible toilet/shower amenities.
- Callington Agricultural and Horticultural Society: $124,000 to replace the sprinkler system on the lower oval at Callington Recreation Park, and construct a permanent purpose-built show office.
- Clare Agricultural & Horticultural Society: $123,826 to upgrade works to the Clare Showground pavilion including disabled access amenities and an outdoor deck, and installation of new public seating in the main arena.
- Kadina Agricultural, Horticultural and Floricultural Society: $121,672 to remove two mounds and fencing, EPA soil testing, asbestos removal, installation of paving at main entrance for safety, and upgrade of showground fencing and remediation of hardened show-jumping surface at Kadina Showgrounds.
- Karoonda Farm Fair: $92,380 to construct an accessible, fit for multi-purpose exhibition space at Karoonda Recreational Oval.
- Keith and Tintinara District Show Society: $240,000 to demolish an existing hall at Keith Showgrounds and construct a disability-accessible multi-purpose community hub including activity areas and securable administration space, and $40,000 to Install a portable power generator at Keith and Tintinara District Showgrounds and provide a custom built trailer where the generator will be fitted.
- Kimba Agricultural Horticultural and Floricultural Society: $60,974 to purchase a large marquee and a shade structure for events at the Kimba Recreation Reserve.
- Loxton Agricultural and Horticultural Society: $64,663 for the upgrade and renovation of four display and storage sheds at Loxton Recreation Centre.
- Millicent Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Society: $75,307 for a kitchen facilities rebuild at Millicent Showground.
- Mount Pleasant Agricultural Horticultural and Floricultural Society: $124,000 to build a new administration building with suitable space and access for use by community groups at Talunga Park. The building will be wheelchair accessible and include a disability-accessible toilet.
- Mount Remarkable Agricultural Society: $234,400 to construct a new exhibition hall at Melrose Showground to replace existing deteriorating pavilions.
- Naracoorte Pastoral and Agricultural Society: $301,000 to construct a new events facility at Naracoorte Showgrounds incorporating exhibition hall, board room, kitchen, toilets, storage rooms and carpark upgrade.
- Parndana Agricultural, Horticultural and Floricultural Society: $54,908 to carry out concreting of undercover sites at Parndana Sports Ground, replace guttering, and purchase a marquee and tables and chairs.
- Penola Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Society: $79,540 to replace the existing 60-year-old Warner Pavilion with a fully powered steel pavilion at McCorquindale Park Showgrounds
- Pinnaroo Agricultural Society: $124,999 to construct a fully accessible toilet block at Pinnaroo Showgrounds.
- Strathalbyn Agricultural Society: $124,999 to construct a new undercover event arena for the existing Strathalbyn Show Arena.
- Yankalilla Rapid Bay and Myponga Agricultural and Horticultural Society: $95,560 to repair and restore the facade of the hall at Yankalilla Show Grounds, replace a kitchen interior and build a storage extension to an existing equestrian facility, and $129,640 to Add toilet and shower facilities to an existing pavilion at the Yankalilla Showgrounds.
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