Show will go on by waterside

THE Gold Coast Show will be run along the 4km shoreline of the Broadwater Parklands for the next four years.

After years of controversy over where the show should go, Mayor Tom Tate announced yesterday it was locked in just for the Broadwater Parklands at Southport, doing away with the split sites used for last year’s event.

The decision followed calls from some community leaders last year to cancel the show altogether.

The show had been held at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall, since 2014 but without its agricultural components.

For the first time the 113year-old show will be held entirely by the water. Last year equestrian and dog events were held at Owen Park, but this year those show favourites, along with arts and crafts, will be part of the action spread out over 4km of parkland. The show will run from August 30September 1. Last year it attracted 135,000 people.

New show society president Josephine Tobias said the push to have the event in one location instead of two was an expression of the Coast’s city and country background coming together.

“No other event, not even the Commonwealth Games, has activated the whole Broadwater,” she said.

“Think of the amazing Instagram shots by the water.

“At this stage we are still working out the logistics in regards to the cattle. Certainly the major events will be there.”

A condition of council approval was that entry to the show remains free.

The northern end of the parklands would be used for a full equestrian program and the dog show. Sideshow alley, fireworks, wood chopping and other favourites would be staged closer to Sundale Bridge.