Summary outcomes from the Boorowa Showground Public Meeting on the grandstand restoration on 3rd June, 2026 as documented by the Boorowa Show Society:
Thank you to everyone who attended the public meeting to support the restoration of the historic Boorowa Showground Grandstand.
Meeting attendees passed a motion supporting a mission statement:
“To renovate/rebuild the grandstand to better service the needs of users at events held at the showground, yet still preserve the local heritage value with a building that blends with existing structures. The rebuilt/refurbished grandstand must meet Work Health and Safety (WHS) compliance, Event Accreditation, or Industry Code of Practice for all stakeholders holding events.”
The meeting confirmed the Boorowa Show showground is owned by Hilltops Council with the Grandstand identified as a local heritage item (Item 15) under Schedule 5 of the Hilltops Local Environmental Plan 2022.
It was noted that the grandstand could see the same demise other historical Boorowa structures as it was classed as having local heritage value only.
Public meeting attendees were advised that the Boorowa Show Society had submitted an application for grant funding to support restoration of the grandstand under the New South Wales Government Community Building Partnership (CBP) program. The outcome is pending.
As to the pathway forward, a Grandstand Committee was formed comprising: Robert Styles, Julie Styles, Justin Fleming, James Blackwell, Louise Baer, Jack Ryan, Tom Corcoran, Patrick Kelly, and Richard Fleming.
A further motion was agreed:
“That the grandstand be rebuilt to be sympathetic to the history of the facility, copying the original design features on a similar structure, whilst using new materials to ensure it is fit for purpose for a long future. Where possible, reuse of any viable part of the building is important.”
Thank you to Jack Ryan (public meeting chair), Narelle Nixon (Boorowa Show Secretary) and Mike Ward for historical input to support the public meeting.
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