Launceston Show move away from traditional home stirs community debate

The show was set to return to Launceston after being cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and is quickly approaching its 150^th anniversary in 2023.

Tasmanian Ratepayers Association president Lionel Morrell said that in his view the show had been on the decline for a while and the show society needed to change their method of operations in order for it succeed.

"My view is that the demise of the Royal Launceston Show has been over a long period - a long period of the inability of the show society to address the financial realities of the show and to operate it as a year-round organisation," he said.

READ MORE: Launceston Show on the move

The show will be moved to Quercus Park which is also the home of AgFest and run by Rural Youth Tasmania, who Mr Morrell commended for their hard work.

"All credit to the Rural Youth organisation who established Agfest at Quercus Park for their industry and hardwork in improving the grounds, building the pavilions and getting that facility going," he said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Morrell said that there could be other impacts as a result of moving the show out of Launceston.

"One of the other injuries that may occur ... is the impact on the Longford Show. Longford put on quite a good quality rural show, scaled down on Launceston, the week after the Launceston show," he said.

"There's not much space between Carrick and Longford, which could impact the Longford show which would be a great shame."

Mr Morrell said for a regional show, Launceston had always managed to put on an event which went well beyond expectations.

"It was a very grand and noble event ... for a regional city Launceston has always punched well above it's weight, signified by being bestowed the term royal a few years ago. If you move it away from Launceston, you can call it what you want, but it won't be the Launceston show if it is in the Meander Valley municipality."

The move from Launceston was sparked after the show society voluntarily relinquished its lease on the former Inveresk site. Launceston Show Society president Brian Bennett was contacted for comment.