Country shows are back on, with the first in the state expected in early January, after approval from NSW Health that it was confident the events could be made COVID-19 safe.
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Member for the Dubbo electorate, Dugald Saunders, was among those to welcome the news and said the events play an important role in the psyche of towns and cities in regional NSW.
"Much of our region is in drought recovery for the first time in years so by holding shows once again, our farmers will have the opportunity to showcase everything from the amazing food and fibre they grow to their prize-winning bulls or family jam recipe," Mr Saunders said.
"The show is one of the most important social events on our calendar and draws crowds from across the region, giving local businesses exposure and keeping money flowing through our towns.
"For some people, the show is a real social outing and a chance to get off the farm for a while and decompress from the stress that has been associated with primary production for the past few years."
Shows can go ahead from January 2021 with up to 5,000 people able to attend at any given time.
Organisers will have to complete a COVIDSafe Event Plan, and ensure social distancing at venues, controlled access at entry points to minimise crowding and a limit to the number of attendees depending on venue size with one person per four square metres.
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The first country show run by the Agricultural Societies Council (ASC) of NSW is expected to be held at Bowral on January 9.
ASC president Tim Capp said he was "over the moon" that country shows could proceed from the start of 2021.
"It's fantastic for regional shows that they can start planning for a COVID-safe way ahead in 2021," Mr Capp said. "But I think they will be a lot different to the past."
He expects that events would be held over a longer period - a situation some show societies may have to confront with leasing areas. And said the shows would be more spread out - which was entirely feasible given the expansive nature of country showgrounds.
Mr Capp said he will be in discussion with the Showman's Guild next week to make sure sideshows would be part of the show experience.
"The showies have been operating in a COVID safe way in Queensland, so I can't see why they couldn't do the same here," he said.
"Fortunately we are in a position where we can operate in a large area, so that gives us room to meet COVID restrictions."
Show societies would be supported to find COVID marshalls required in many areas of the showground.
- Guidelines and checklists for country shows will be available online at nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
