Maranoa Regional Council, Queensland was able to announce the works on the Bassett Park Sheep Dog Arena were completed in time for the Roma Show in early May.
The project comprised reconfiguration of the central holding yard to allow sheep dog trials to take place in the northern yard (closest to the cattle stalls). The old boundary fence and area used to store the stock was also upgraded as part of the project.
Chair for Facilities and Bassett Park Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Cameron O’Neil, said Council had worked closely with a number of Bassett Park users to identify these improvements.
“The upgraded Sheep Dog Arena will significantly improve the running of sheep dog trials and upgrade of the existing facilities.
“It will also provide new opportunities for competitors to camp and utilise the area in and around the southern yards.”
Chief Steward of the Roma Show Sheep Dog Trials, David Kirkbride, said this Sheep Dog Arena was exceptional for the Roma Sheep Dog Association and without it they probably wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with the sheep dog trials at this year’s show.
“The arena has allowed us to keep on trialling. We are a very big organisation and get around 150 dogs competing at the Roma Show.
“This setup in Roma would have to be one of the best setups I’ve been to in Queensland. It’s really good to see that Council has gotten behind this and provided for us.”
