18 May, 2022
Many Crown land managers (CLMs) have experience in applying for funding grants as part of their role managing reserves. Applying for funding in a highly competitive environment, when there are limited funds available, can be a challenging undertaking. But when it’s done right, the benefits can be enormous.
The Inverell Showground Crown land manager (showground manager) have had great success in improving the approximately 15ha reserve in their care. They have been proactive in navigating their way through a series of obstacles and setbacks.
Over the past two years, the showground manager (still known by some around town as the “Trust”) have attracted nearly $1.8 million from multiple government funding programs. And this is a key point about their success; taking time to find a range of sources for funding, not just relying on one source. Find out more
Projects funded have included:
Fundraising effectiveness spreads beyond its own remit too. In addition to the showground manager being awarded grant funds, they support and endorse funding applications from user groups. The local basketball club based at the facility were awarded funding of nearly $24,000 to fix the leaking stadium roof. The community was able to continue enjoying the use of the stadium without the risk of accidents due to water on the floor.
Ray White is the current chairperson, and he admits that at one point in recent years he had “thrown his hands in the air” as projects stalled, and complications mounted. He said it is the quiet determination and work of a dedicated team of three volunteers that has slowly but surely overcome setbacks and put the showgrounds in an excellent position for the future.
Mr White plays down his involvement as that of “just an average bloke with an interest in trying to promote the showground”, but there’s no doubt the organisation has lessons to share with other reserve managers.
Inverell Showground is typical of many such grounds across NSW, hosting an annual show for the district. Inverell is known for its sapphire deposits, quality cattle and sheep, and mixed farm crops. The town’s showground has a rich history stretching to 1873. It recently hosted its 153rd show, showcasing the best the district has to offer cattle and sheep, whip cracking, woodchoppers, homemade tarts, sideshows, fireworks and much more.
The showground plays an incredibly important part in the community, hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics for locals, as well as agricultural, sporting, and cultural events.
It is also host to 15 permanent tenants, including a men’s shed, a variety of sports clubs including basketball and archery, the RSPCA, a bird keepers club, and even a small campground.
“It’s a ground for the community, to be used by the community,” Mr White says.
But it depends on the showground’s volunteers to keep things running, with the infrastructure on the large and heavily used site suffering from age. It is a big challenge for a volunteer crew of just three.
Asked how much time he spent on land management business; Mr White quipped: “You don’t want to know.”
It’s been a challenging time for reserve managers across NSW, with many traditional sources of income drying up in 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19 and other natural disasters impacting on the accessibility of reserves.
In the case of the Inverell Showground, the annual show was postponed, while sporting events and other club meets were disrupted.
Mr White said the organisation was able to keep its head above water partly because of its campground, whose long-term casual occupants continued to pay rent at the site throughout the pandemic.
One of the biggest hurdles the showground manager faced in recent times was being unable to turn on the power from a 100KW solar system. The solar system was set to slash the normal $34,000 electricity bill and enable the reallocation of those funds to other much-needed maintenance.
The solar panel project received funding from Crown Lands’ Showground Stimulus program in 2020. However, despite the project being completed in 2020, the solar system remained idle for two years because ageing electrical gear meant it couldn’t be switched on. The land managers made this surprising discovery after the panels had been installed. Mr White said that electricians were unable to connect the new system to the meter until additional works were done to bring the current old pole-mounted switches up to the modern standard, at an estimated cost up to $75,000.
To address the newly identified electrical issue, Mr White knew the land manager would need to explore other available funding opportunities.
The showground manager did some research and applied for further state and federal government stimulus packages that aimed to help organisations with infrastructure. This also met both the NSW Government’s and CLM’s goals of “being as environmentally friendly as possible” and improving the site for the rest of the community.
In 2021 the showground manager submitted an application for funding to upgrade the underground power; they were successful in being awarded the funds to complete the crucial electrical upgrades to connect the solar system. In addition, they succeeded in gaining funding to provide new ring and arena lighting as well as a new roof for the grandstands.
The underground power upgrade works were completed just in time for the February 2022 show, while the solar system is expected to be operational by mid-2022.
“I’ve learnt a fair bit,” Mr White said in his understated way. When applying for funding it is important to try and understand and include quotes for all of the elements required to implement the project.
The success of the Inverell Showground manager in attaining funding was partly a result of meeting the NSW State Government’s strategic goals, as outlined in Crown Lands’ 10-year strategic plan. Four priorities of the plan include:
Participation in capacity building webinars by the showground ’s secretary, Heather Morris, has also assisted the land manager in submitting competitive grant applications. The webinars are part of the Governance Development Program designed to support CLMs in their roles managing reserves. The program is delivered in partnership with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and includes webinars, workshops and a range of resources and guidance materials.
Some of the webinars and workshops attended included:
Ray White’s funding advice to CLMs:
This Crown land manager web resource was printed on 29 Mar 2024. The information contained in this web resource is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing Mar 2024. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information by referring to the website (www.reservemanager.nsw.gov.au).
© State of New South Wales through Department of Planning, Industry & Environment 2024.
Page link: https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/inverell-showgrounds-funding-boost-pays-off