Councillor James Blackwell tabled questions with notice at the most recent Hilltops Council November Ordinary meeting in regards to the Boorowa Showground Grandstand and horse arena at the facility.
Councillor Blackwell asked the question:
The Boorowa Showground Grandstand was deemed as unfit for use for the Boorowa Picnic Race Meeting in May.
Have the issues with the Grandstand been fixed, or are they planned to be fixed in time for the Boorowa Agricultural Show on March 1, 2025, where the Grandstand is a key feature?
The response from Hilltops Council was:
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The grandstand is not structurally sound and is not recognised as a heritage item. The grandstand has been moved three times, with the most recent move being to its current location.
We have received advice from a local Boorowa builder who advised that the cost of repairing the grandstand would far exceed a replacement grandstand/shelter.
Council have been unable to obtain official quotations due to the unknown issues that may arise upon detailed inspection.
Should Council wish to replace the structure, funds from other capital items would need to be allocated as there is no budget to replace the structure.
Cr Blackwell's second question was in regards to dust generated from the Horse Arena:
Constituents in Boorowa have raised an issue around dust coming over and onto their properties from the Boorowa Horse Arena.
What solutions are in place to maintain the dust levels coming from the arena ie sprinklers, a code of use for people in the arena, more enforcement of existing rules?
Council noted in its response that this is operational and unfortunately 'as you will read, there is not much we can do about it.'
Council's response was:
The base was designed to accommodate equestrian activities and has sprinklers installed for dust suppression.
The sprinklers are used as necessary by the users.
Tanks next to the arena were installed specifically to provide water for dust suppression activities. Council is not resourced to monitor the use of the facility.
