Showgrounds in NSW are important for preserving rural heritage, providing community gathering spaces, and facilitating agricultural events.

Take the Lismore Showground in North Lismore as an example. They were established in 1885 and have played a vital role, serving as a community hub for the last 140 years. Think of the Lismore Show, camping and caravaning, major concerts like From The Heart, Lifeline's community flood shop in 2022, circus events, night markets, vintage car shows, speedway, and the Lismore Farmers Markets, to name a few.

Lismore Showground is located on Crown reserves managed by the North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society Incorporated as the appointed Crown land manager.

The showground is no stranger to regular flooding given its low-lying topography at the southern end, where the cattle yards and Farmers Markets are located. The 2022 big flood saw most of the showground covered in water, which resulted in major damage to nearly all of its buildings.

In April 2023, thanks to state and federal funding, a new bar/eating area was built, a new kitchen was built off the main pavilion in the north and retaining walls were replaced.

Then in 2024, Norma's Kitchen was refurbished under the main grandstand, and $1.43 million in road repair work was undertaken at Lismore Showground to repair and upgrade about 1.1 kilometres of its internal roads.

(The result of the new roads and drainage at the Lismore Showgrounds in 2024)

Now, in 2025, a major $4.75 million project is underway to repair the rest of the damage from the 2022 floods and restore the local icon to full community use.

The project will involve repairs to a wide range of single and double-storey weatherboard, brick and metal-clad buildings, replacement of roof sheeting, wall and ceiling linings and external weatherboards, cleaning and mould removal, painting and restoration of boundary fencing.

Flood-damaged showground assets to undergo work will include:

• Pavilions, including the Jim Muldoon Poultry Pavilion, William Smith Pavilion, Fine Arts Pavilion, Farmers Market and Pig Pavilion, Cattle Pavilion, Claude Riley Pavilion, and Storage Shed Pigeon Pavilion.
• Other livestock facilities, including cattle stalls and cattle shed, stable sheds, Dayal Singh Stables, and Animal Nursery Rotunda.
• Members stand and other spectator stands, woodchop arena and its stand.
• Auto Club, Arts and Crafts, and Gem Club, and Speedway corporate boxes.
• Catering facilities, including the Main Bar, Rotary BBQ, Sandys Bar, Two Georges Cattle Bar, BBQ Shelter Bar, and Norco Bar Commentary Box.
• Various amenities, including the market toilets, other toilet blocks and disabled toilets.
• Entry ticket office, front office, secretaries office and press box, and various storage sheds and rooms.

(The cattle stalls near the Lismore Farmers Markets)

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said, “When Lismore suffered its worst flood in recorded history in 2022, it had a significant impact on the showground, inundating its buildings and leaving them with structural and water damage.

“Regional communities rely on their local showgrounds as multi-use community hubs to bring residents together to socialise through a range of events, so I’m very pleased to see this major restoration project underway.”

Minister for Recovery and North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “We are committed to restoring our important community assets following the devastating floods of 2022.

“The Lismore Showground is an iconic venue for locals and has significant historical meaning, particularly for the local Indigenous community. 

“It attracts visitors and supports local businesses and tourism, so its restoration is vital for community recovery.

“The showground holds significant events, including the North Coast National Show, has markets and recreational and camping facilities, and hosts community gatherings and celebrations.”

North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society Incorporated Secretary Mark Sollom said, “When the flood came through, about 95 per cent of the buildings here had water go through them, which was unprecedented in living memory.

“We are really looking forward to having a shiny new showground to work from, set up a regular maintenance schedule and also open up some new areas for events that we have not been able to use before.”