18th October 2023
Labor must support repair of the Warrnambool Showgrounds shed.
Member for South-West Coast, Roma Britnell, has today called on the Labor Government to step in and support the repair and maintenance of the Warrnambool Showgrounds sheds and surrounding structures.
Following September storms, the already dilapidated sheds at the Warrnambool Showgrounds sustained significant damage, include the roof blowing off in strong winds and a wall caving in.
The site’s Committee of Management approached the Labor Government but were apparently told that despite being State Government owned assets, the structures on the ground are not insured.
Therefore the committee has had to rely on philanthropic support for urgent repair work to the site. In addition, the electrical wiring needs replacing as it currently shorts in wet weather and is potentially unsafe.
Consequently, the poultry exhibition and nursey at the upcoming Warrnambool show – a major drawcard – will not proceed.
Member for South-West Coast, Roma Britnell, said: “I have raised this directly with the Minister in State Parliament. Providing a tenant with a roof is a basic requirement of a landlord, in this case, the Labor Government.
“Proactive maintenance is more cost effective than allowing further deterioration to occur and many of the structures on the site are in dire need of work. The community should not have to wait for another storm for the government to act.
“I call on the Labor Government to step up to its responsibility as the owners of the site and not force the draining of scarce philanthropic resources that the community needs.”
[ENDS]
Roma Britnell MP
Member for South West Coast
Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight
Shadow Minister for Child Protection
Shadow Minister for Boating and Fishing
