Southern Grampians Shire Council has adopted the Hamilton Showgrounds Masterplan, which was developed to create a 10-year vision and actions for the site to enhance the visitor and user experience for years to come.
The Masterplan identifies ways to improve the site facilities and amenities for all users and to attract more diverse local and regional events. The draft Masterplan was open for public comment from 20 December 2023 until 30 January 2024.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Councillor David Robertson said the Hamilton Showgrounds is an important site that acts as a community, economic, and tourism driver for the shire.
“The Masterplan is a high-level, strategic guide that has been developed through a public engagement process with the Hamilton Showgrounds Advisory Committee, interviews with user groups, a community survey and consultation with Council staff,” said Cr Robertson. “The Masterplan draws from the existing 2007 Hamilton Showgrounds Masterplan and the 2020 Hamilton Pastoral and Agricultural Society Masterplan.”
“The improvements will include new shared facilities, upgraded amenities, bigger pavilions, increased parking, improved drainage, power, water and services, updated entrances, improved landscaping, and an event/short-term stay area,” said Cr Robertson.
“Upgrading the showgrounds site over the next 10 years will really benefit the Southern Grampians community and current user groups, as well as providing capacity for more groups to use the site.”
“The Masterplan will also improve the visitor experience for events like Sheepvention and the Hamilton Ram Sale, but also open the door to hosting more diverse local and regional events to bring more people to our shire. The flow on effects will be very positive for our local economy,” concluded Cr Robertson.
Another key element of the masterplan identifies an opportunity to address governance of the showgrounds with the Hamilton P&A Society expressing a desire through the advisory committee to focus on their own events, particularly Sheepvention, and reduce their involvement with the operational running of the site. Further engagement with all users to formalise a realigned governance structure will be undertaken following the adoption of the masterplan.
A copy of the Hamilton Showgrounds Masterplan is available at www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au and from Brown Street customer service centre. The Hamilton Showgrounds are owned by the State Government and managed by the Southern Grampians Shire Council through a Committee of Management.