Potential options for the new sign were pitched at the meeting. Photo: Supplied.
A new sign at Kiama Showground could showcase the dates of the annual agricultural show year-round but despite councillors passing the motion to allow the display, there were concerns about whether it was fair on the other users of the site.
The significance and legacy of the Kiama Show Society will be celebrated with new permanent signage to be constructed at the showground’s Bong Bong Street entrance promoting the show dates.
Kiama Councillor Erica Warren put forward a motion to allow the CEO to provide owner’s approval and get the ball rolling on the sign to honour the agricultural society which has been an integral part of the community since 1848.
“The Kiama Show Society and the Kiama Show in particular is the only link to our agricultural heritage here in Kiama,” Cr Warren said.
“I feel like we really should be paying some respect to the Kiama Show Society for their long-standing history here in Kiama and I think by having a simple sign up at the showground at the entrance of Bong Bong Street is a nice, easy way to show that respect to them and their heritage.”
Despite being one of the oldest agricultural societies still in existence in Australia, the site is one of the only showgrounds without show society signage.
“The Kiama Show Society are willing to work with council on the design and location and they’re also willing to pay for that signage and the update of that on an ongoing basis,” Cr Warren said.
The Kiama Showground has multiple events throughout the year. Photo: Supplied.
Although the society’s importance to the showground was noted, it was questioned whether all the events and users of the site should be consulted about being included.
“I’ve got no debate in terms of the heritage or value of Kiama Show, however I think a sign for advertising one event isn’t really appropriate given that we have the Rugby Sevens, we have all sorts of events there,” Cr Yasmin Tatri said.
“I’d like to see if we’re going to do that that all events be able to put their dates.
“Maybe a sign that has the Kiama Show on it and then other dates of other events and that seems fairer to other people who also use that site.”
A foreshadowed motion also suggested the conversation be deferred so councillors could better consider the impacts of other users and how it links into the broader strategy of event promotion across Kiama.
“Just on the concerns raised about the multiuse of the pavilion and the showground, I think that obviously that’s worth considering,” Cr Imogen Draisma said.
“But generally as well we do have signage at the beginning and end of the LGA which notifies visitors of events that are coming up and we do obviously have a dedicated team at Destination Kiama who also advertise those events.”
Ultimately a majority of councillors voted in favour of the proposal for Kiama Show Society with details to be decided in collaboration with the council’s planning team.
“We’ll actually sit down with the group, we’ll have a conversation with them, we’ll work through the options,” CEO Jane Stroud said.
“We are going to have to be mindful of the heritage walls because that is very important.”
