New annual show venue sought as Shire scraps Northampton hall rebuild after Seroja

Northampton Show organisers are looking for a new venue to host the annual event after the council decided not to replace the town’s cyclone-flattened exhibition hall.

The century-old hall next to Northampton District High School was long the home of the agricultural show before it was levelled by Seroja on April 11.

Shire of Northampton councillors this month voted 7-1 to not restore the building, with Cr Liz Sudlow the only one to oppose the motion. Minutes from the September meeting stated the hall’s replacement would be “an uneconomical use of funds” as the venue was only used “one day a year” for the annual show.

The council will instead explore options to improve access to the indoor stadium at Northampton Community Centre, where this year’s show was held.

About 2500 people attended the 103rd annual show earlier this month, with operators hit hard by cyclone damage and rising insurance premiums offered an upfront payment to attend the event.