Camden Haven and Wauchope Show Societies prepare for return of agricultural shows in 2021

The NSW government announced an easing of restrictions on November 5 allowing 192 agricultural shows to go ahead in 2021.

There will also be an increased limit of 5,000 people, excluding employees and volunteers, to be on a showground at any one time from January 9.

Wauchope Show Society president Neil Coombes said although the news was welcome, it is not a silver bullet to hold the event next year.

"As much as we want to run a show next year, we haven't made that decision yet," he said.

"Everyone is keen to go ahead but there are many bridges to cross before we can open the gates. We would need to run a normal show to break even and with all the conditions in place we wouldn't be able to run a normal show.

"From a finance point of view if we don't get more than 5,000 people through the gate, we would run backwards. No show society can survive by running a show and going backwards.

"If the restrictions don't lift more than they already have, I think there will be many shows not opening. Unless we can throw the gates open normally, it's nearly impossible to do it.

"The community also has to know that if something goes wrong with COVID-safety, it will be on the society's head and if we were fined it would wipe us out."

Mr Coombes said that policing social distancing would be nearly impossible in an agricultural show environment and limited ticketing would be insulting to local residents who have attended annually for decades.

Camden Haven Agricultural Society secretary Jody Nelson-Gleeson said show societies are still waiting on a COVID safe plan and advice to introduce next year.

"We are planning to go head and we're 12 months out. We're classed as a medium show and we have had 5,000 people through the gate in a day," she said.

"I think this is fantastic news and we are passionate about bringing agricultural to the community. It's very exciting for our volunteers and stewards who had lost that experience this year. I think it's a really positive thing for small business and community.

"This will give us some fantastic options and we'd like to see how agricultural shows across the world are handling the same changes.

"I think we will be seeing a lot more online or offsite content for shows next year and using different ideas moving forward."

Agricultural Societies Council of New South Wales president Tim Capp said the easing of guidelines will bring delight to thousands of show volunteers across NSW.

"Shows have long had protocols around biosecurity, handwashing and cleanliness, and showgrounds are typically vast spaces to comfortably host crowds, so we're in a good position to adapt to being COVID-safe," he said.

"We are pleased with the announcement that the 5,000 person figure relates to ticketed patrons, as this will make it possible for more shows to operate next year.

"Nearly one million people attend a local agricultural show in NSW each year, so they too will be pleased to know there is a pathway for the local show to potentially run next year."

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