Your understanding that the late Mr John Longmuir gifted these fields to the people of Gunnedah is completely incorrect and misleading.

The Longmuir Fields have always been a part of the Showground Complex (or Precinct) and belong to the Crown and are managed in trust by the Council.

They have been used extensively for horse sports by the Pony Club and Show Society until the early sixties when they were then dedicated to the late Mr Longmuir who was the proprietor of the NVI and a much loved supporter of junior league and cricket in Gunnedah.

Under this agreement horses were then limited to confined areas during the Show and Pony Club Camp, which has remained until the present time.

Contrary to your information all user groups have had extensive consultation since the Council’s Open Space Strategy was adopted in 2010, whether you have been in agreement with this and the eventual relocation to the Donnelly Fields is not in dispute, it is the fact that all organisations have been aware of the eventual outcome.

To coincide with this strategy a Plan of Management for the Showground was developed with the Show Society, Pony Club, Namoi Horse Association, Campdraft Club and RDA being made aware that their tenure of the “Tech Paddock” (some 7-8 acres south of the Showground) was on a yearly basis, for under the new LEP it had been rezoned residential.

Those who are involved and who support the Show Society and horse organisations would realise the importance of this area for parking and working of horses without which the Show could not proceed.

The availability of the Longmuir Fields once the sporting groups have relocated will give certainty to the Show which is celebrating its 130th year.

I hope this clarifies the situation and that good relations between the Society, horse enthusiasts, Council and sporting groups can continue.

George Avard, Gunnedah

Since 1967, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has looked after our National Parks, their precious wildlife, worked for the conservation of native and threatened species, educated generations of school children and played host to countless camping holidays and bushwalks. 

Their ability to perform these essential public services is now under threat from a restructure by the NSW Liberal/National Government, which will result in a series of cuts and job cuts and loss of expertise. 

We love our national parks. 

They receive more than 40 million visits in New South Wales each year, and an overwhelming 94 per cent of visitors describe themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. 

Parks like Bullala National Park and Gwydir River National Park are an important part of the community, environment and public space.

If the NPWS restructure goes ahead, the NSW community will soon notice the consequences of the Government’s reckless approach to parks management.

Fewer rangers, closed tracks, less maintenance of visitor facilities and encroaching invasive species will become the unfortunate norm. There will be a knock on effect on local jobs, tourism and the local economy. I urge readers to contact the NSW Government and ask them to stop their war on National Parks and treat rangers and all staff with the respect they deserve.

Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, Greens NSW MP and Environment Spokesperson