Centenary is PM showtime

SCOTT Morrison will make a special appearance at the Burnie Show today as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The Prime Minister will open the show at its new Romaine venue when he flies in to Tasmania for this weekend’s Liberal state conference.

It is the PM’s second trip to Tasmania since the election, where the Coalition’s victory was secured in part by picking up the Tasmanian seats of Bass and Braddon.

Mr Morrison will deliver on one election promise today as he unveils the start of a $20 million fund to keep local agricultural shows alive.

“Even the most skilled and hardworking community volunteers can’t keep a show going alone,” Mr Morrison said. “You need support, and you need proper infrastructure.”

Agricultural shows such as Burnie’s were “the heart and soul of our regional communities”, he said. “They bring communities together and they keep communities together.

“Agricultural shows are also important events that encourage people from cities and regional centres to better understand where their food and fibre comes from.

“For so many areas tackling drought at the moment Agricultural shows are an important investment in local communities including through the tourism they can attract.”

Under the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants, local show societies and state and territory agricultural show peak bodies seek up to $500,000 to upgrade, maintain, buy or build new showground infrastructure such as outdoor seating or attractions, such as an agricultural virtual reality exhibit.

The grants open today and close on December 13, with successful applicants expected to be announced in the first half of 2020.

The Burnie Show will run today and tomorrow from 9am to 5pm at 329 Ridgley Highway, Romaine.