Show signs 21-year lease

The Kununurra Agricultural Show has been saved for this year, but its future is not assured.

Fraught lease negotiations between Kununurra Agricultural Society and the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley were finalised last month, with KAS securing a 21-year lease for an annual fee of $750.

However, under the terms of the new lease KAS has given up its caravan park, which it has run since the mid-1990s and has been the major source of income that paid for the popular show.

KAS does have the option to apply to reopen the caravan park, but it would be subject to licensing fees not previously paid by the not-for-profit group.

Vice-president Chris Robinson said above all, the committee felt "relieved" the lease had been settled, given it had taken more than four years to finalise.

He said not having the caravan park meant the society would have a severe deficit in its operating budget, but that it would seek support from local businesses and the community to try to make up the shortfall.

"We will be seeking other sources of funding in the next month or two, but if we can't get funds we will be forced into the position where we will have to apply for a caravan park in order to get the necessary funds to run the show," Mr Robinson said.

"This was an outcome that had to happen. In the last six months the Shire has been grappling with having a caravan park on the showgrounds, but we weren't getting a lease and we were making no progress.

"By separating these, we were able to progress the lease part of it and finalise the lease part of it."

Mr Robinson said KAS would apply for permission from the lands minister and the Shire to have the caretaker continue to live at the grounds and maintain them.

Last month's council meeting also revealed KAS will be saddled with up to $10,000 in legal fees to be paid to the Shire through a special payment arrangement over the next five years.

The fees would cover the negotiation, preparation, execution, settlement and stamping of the lease.