Those hoping for a day off for the Newcastle Regional Show have had their hopes dashed.
The Newcastle Show Association won’t request that Newcastle Council gazette a local public holiday on Friday the 4th of March, 2016.
The Newcastle Show Association announced the move on Thursday morning.
“The Newcastle Regional Show is an iconic local event that has a long and proud history dating back to 1899. The Newcastle Regional Show has always enjoyed a strong appeal to a broad cross-section of the community. However, we recognise that the cost of a public holiday to business is simply too much for them to bear,” said Show President, Brett Gleeson.
“The results of the community consultation by Newcastle City Council clearly demonstrate that the community does not support a public holiday to the extent needed to compensate for the cost to business,” Mr Gleeson said.
Mr Gleeson says the decision means attendance will be down and he’s called on the Hunter Business Chamber to help support the show.
The Hunter Business Chamber has applauded the move.
“The Show Association President, Mr Brett Gleeson and the Board are to be commended for their decision to withdraw their request for a local public holiday,” Chamber CEO Kristen Keegan said.
“Mr Gleeson is a well-respected businessman who has a strong appreciation of the overwhelming cost to businesses for this extra public holiday. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with him on this matter and the Chamber is keen to support the Show in their new and revitalised approach.
The Business Chamber now wants Newcastle City Council to withdraw its request to the Minister for Industrial Relations for a local public holiday.
“You would think that in the in the current economic climate Councillors would be doing all they can to support those who create jobs in our community, but instead we are seeing a myopic approach to the important role of businesses in this area. Quite simply the business community is fed up with this type of treatment.
“We urge Council to withdraw their request and focus instead on joining the broader business community in providing support to the Show,” Kristen said.
