Petition to Save Newcastle Showground

Newcastle Showground is at risk of rezoning to provide for high rise affordable housing. We are at real risk of losing this precious space, along with its history and heritage. 

For over 120 years, the Newcastle Showground has been a vital hub for our community. Local residents, families, and community organisations have depended on this space for recreation and celebration, and as an essential resource during emergencies. Now it is at risk of redevelopment. The loss of this cherished space would deeply affect the social, cultural, and emergency support fabric of our Newcastle community.

Amendments to the Sporting Venues Authorities Act 2008 transferred full title of the Showground to a state-managed body (Venues NSW) and stripped the Newcastle Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association of its traditional full custodianship. This change limits the Association's control over the site. Developers want to redevelop the site into high rise residential apartments.

Maintaining our community’s heritage and safeguarding this space depends on the NSW government amending this law.

We want to ensure this historic venue remains accessible for public use and as an emergency resource. We urge the NSW Government to act now to protect the future of the Newcastle Showground for the benefit of all the community.

We urge the NSW Government to:

1.      Amend Section 23 of the Sporting Venues Authorities Act 2008: Remove the Newcastle Showground from Schedule 4 to ensure that full ownership remains with the Newcastle Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association Inc.

2.      Amend Section 34 of the Act to grant the Association full ownership and control over the Showground, so no redevelopment, sale, or change in its use may occur without consent.

3.      Guarantee Public Emergency Use: Recognise the Showground’s critical role for over 120 years as a community asset. Ensure that it remains available for full public use in emergencies—as it once served for troop training and accommodation during both World Wars—and is accessible for major health or other public emergencies in the future, unlike the refusal of access permitted during COVID.

4.      Implement Robust Heritage Protections: Enact measures that formally recognise the historical and cultural significance of the site and protect its identity for the Newcastle and Hunter Region communities.

By signing this petition, we express support for restoring full custodianship of the Newcastle NSW Showground to its historic owners—and for ensuring that this treasured community asset remains a vital resource both in everyday life and in times of emergency.

Save Our Showground – Protect Our Heritage!