Tensions over show site

Tensions were high and tears were shed at the Albany City Council meeting on Tuesday as members and friends of the Albany Agricultural Society pleaded with councillors to give the group a "fair go" when deciding on the future home of the 100-year-old association.

Discussions between the two parties about the society's future within the multimillion-dollar Centennial Park Sporting Precinct have been going on for more than 16 months.

More than 30 people from the society and local sporting clubs packed the public gallery on Tuesday, with 18 people speaking during public question time.

After a long debate, an amended motion by Councillor Sarah Bowles, which outlined a cash payment of $750,000 to be made in exchange for voluntary surrender of the society-owned Hanrahan Road tip site, was endorsed 12-4.

The motion outlines that the society will be able to use the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre for the annual Albany Show and have use of Railways Football Oval for equestrian events.

In the event the society does not accept the offer by July 31, the Albany Agricultural Society will have to vacate the Centennial Oval area, negotiate a rental of the landfill site.

The City will offer $25,000 of in-kind support during the show and allow the Society to use the new Centennial park buildings for the show.

Councillors were divided on the subject - Ray Hammond, Alison Goode, Gerry Gregson and Janelle Price did not support the motion.

After the meeting, Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said now that the council's position was clear, negotiations with the society could continue until the July 31 deadline to ensure State and Commonwealth funding for the Centennial Park Sporting precinct could be maintained.

"We need to be able to get on. We have serious problems in terms of being able to hold on to that funding," he said.

"If we don't get on with this there is a chance we will lose funding, which is not going to be acceptable in any way, shape or form."

Albany Agricultural Society president Rob Wright said the result was disappointing and maintains its headquarters should be within the eastern precinct of the development, not ALAC.

"It was disappointing such negative results and thoughts from a lot of our football cohort that seem to have the opinion that we are getting in their way and treading on their turf," he said.

Mr Wright said Mr Wellington's assertion that negotiations were putting funding at stake was not true.

"The society is not holding up any funding whatsoever," he said.

Mr Wright said the result was disappointing and maintains the Society's headquarters should be within the eastern precinct of the development.