Bendigo Showgrounds development funds close to a reality after Labor commitment

Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said Labor would commit $933,208 to the project if they won the upcoming federal election.

Liberal Party candidate Sam Gayed has been contacted for comment.

The society's chief executive officer Ian Furze said at this stage, no other parties have agreed to match the funding. 

"We would love for everybody to come on board and support this venture so that whatever the result is at the election, the showgrounds are still able to get the benefit," he said. 

Read more: Bendigo Agricultural Show Society looks for final funds for Regional Event Complex development

The final stage of funding would improve access for pedestrians and vehicles, finish landscaping the surrounds at the front and back of the regional events centre, and upgrade the surface drainage and unsafe road conditions.

Ms Chesters said the support for the project was overwhelming.

"The user groups here, the Bendigo Showgrounds committee and the feedback from the community has helped me make the case to the Labor team that this was a critical project," she said.

"So it is a big shout out for everybody who got behind this project because that allowed us to get it over the line."

Over 600,000 people attend the grounds every year for events like the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo Agriculture Show, Groovin the Moo, and the Bendigo National Swap Meet.

Read more: State government, council pitch in $100,000 for new Bendigo Showgrounds master plan

The Federation of Veteran, Vintage and Classic Car Clubs also use the grounds for their swap meet events. The organisation's president Neil Athorn said the funding commitment was welcome. 

"It means a lot to us to have these upgrades," he said. "Dust suppression, quality toilets - they're the memories that people take away from the showgrounds.

"We've got terrific buildings and we've built our business around those but we look to the future."

Mr Furze said securing the funding from the government of the day was the goal. 

"It's going to mean a lot to the future of the Showgrounds and Bendigo itself," he said. "This is something that we have been lobbying for a little while."

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