NEWCASTLE SHOWGROUND & EXHIBITION CENTRE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2002/2003 Contents Presentation Letter .............................................. ... ............... ... .. ............. ....... ............... .. ... 1 Chairman's Report ... ... .. .. .... ........................................................... ...................... ............... 2 Point 1. Constitution .......... .. ........... ......................................... ............... .. ... ..... 3 Point 2. Charter .. .......... .. ............................ ... .................................... .... ....... ... 3 Point 3. Aims and Objectives .................................................................................... 3 Point 4. Management and Structure ................................................................................ 3 Point 5. Summary Review of Operations ................. .... .............. .. ... ..... ................... ...... 4-5 Point 6. Ethnic Affairs Action ............................................................................ 5 Point 7. Human Resources ............................................. ................................................ .. 5 Point 8. Other Associations ... .................... .............. ............ ............................... 5 Plan of Newcastle Showground ........................................................................................... 6 Management and Staff Structure as at 30/6/2003 ............................................................. 7 Trustees' Profiles as at 30/6/2003 .............................................. ................ ..................... 8-9 Listing of Sub-Committees ................... ................................. ............................................ 10 Trustees' Statement........... ........................................................... ..................................... 11 Independent Audit Report ................................ ........................... ..... ........................... 12-13 2002/2003 Audited Financial Statements ................................. ................................. 14-26 Newcastle Showground& Exhibition Centre Trust Annual Report 2002/2003 t.l Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust ~ifewcastl..fd Brown Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 II:.J!HiamoN PO Box 280, Waratah NSW 2298 CENTRE Phone(02) 49212100 Fax (02) 4921 2199 1olh May, 2004 The Hon. Sandra Nori, :MP Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation Level 34, Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 Dear Moister, I have much pleasure .in presenting to you the Annual Report of the Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust for the financial year ended 30th June 2003, as required tmder the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act of 1984. Also included are the Trust's financial statements which have been audited in accordance with the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act of 1983. The Annual Report has been delayed due to the .finalisation of the Audit which occurred on 281h April, 2004. There had been some uncertainty concerning the valuation of the Trust's non current assets. This is the Trust's eleventh Annual Report under the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act, 1984. Yours sincerely, howground & .Exhibition Centre Trust i\uueh ~ --------------------------~~~-----------------------Page 1 Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust Annual Report 2002/2003 CHAIRMANS REPORT rn accordance with the Annual Report Statutory Bodies Act 1984, I have pleasure in submitting the Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust Annual Report for the year ending 30th June 2003. The year in review represented the eleventh full year of operations for the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. The Trust, for the first time in three years, has derived an operating surplus before depreciation. The surplus of $552,286 has allowed for some much needed capital expenditure and debt repayment. The Trust has a significant annual debt repayment that requires servicing, together with an unfunded capital replacement and improvement programme. The Trust has identified the condition of the internal roadways as a major Occupational, Health and Safety issue. An investigation is being undertaken by a geotechnical engineer to determine the current condition and structure of the roads and to provide specifications for remedial action. This year the Trust hosted 38 events in the Entertainment Centre, 18 in the Exhibition Centre and 2 in the Showground. The Showground is also used for car parking at events that are held in the Entertainment Centre. In addition, there were occasions when some of the smaller pavilions were used for local and community purposes. The Trust has several permanent tenants on the Showground including the Woodturners of the Hunter, a dog obedience trainer, an exhibition hire company, three boxing gyms, art print warehouse and aquarium society. There are stables within the Showground that contain horses stabled on a permanent basis. Due to safety and economic reasons, the tenants were given notice to vacate effective 28111 September 2001 but some still remain. The Trust has commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court ofNew South Wales to obtain vacant possession. It is intended that the stables will be retained for use during the annual Newcastle Regional Show. The principal tenant of the Showground is the Newcastle Agricultural, Horticultural & Industrial Association, which produces the annual Newcastle Regional Show. The original dedication of the site is for the use and general purposes of the Association and accordingly, the Trust receives no rental for use of the entire site to host the Newcastle Regional Show or for the building that serves as the Association's office on a permanent basis. The Trust fully funds the maintenance and capital requirements of the site and receives a contribution from the Association for the incremental costs incurred in hosting the Show. Due to limited funds, there has been no major capital improvements on the site but regular maintenance has occurred. There are many items requiring attention and some may pose a risk management issue for the Trust in the near future. The current dedication restricts the Trust from pursuing alternative or additional uses for the site, some of which could improve revenue. A major issue facing the Trust is the number of noise complaints received from surrounding residents. The Trust commenced a noise monitoring programme in April 2003 to determine the regularity, frequency and level of noise. Based on the results of this monitoring, building modifications may be necessary. It is anticipated that the next financial year will derive a small operating surplus before depreciation of approximately $1 00,000 which is insufficient to meet debt commitments and carry out capital works over the long term. An overview of the Trust's activities, structure and finances are detailed in the following pages. The Trust contributes both economically and culturally to the regional area and notes the community satisfaction in which its activities are received. Page 2 Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust Annual Report 2002/2003 Constitution The Newcastle Showground is a Crown Reserve, administered by a Trust under the auspices of the Crown Lands Act 1989, and the Newcastle Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association Act 1905 (as amended). The Newcastle Showground and Exhibition Centre Trust was constituted under the Newcastle Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association Act of 1905 and charged with the care, control and management of the area on behalf of the New South Wales Government. The Trustees were appointed by the Minister under Section 93 of the Crown Lands Act 1989 and are appointed for a maximum period of five years. The Trust currently consists of seven members. The term of these members expires on 22nd July 2004. 2. Charter The Trust will manage the Crown Reserve known as the Newcastle Showground to ensure that it provides to the community, facilities which can be run for the purposes of its formation, that is, for activities for public enjoyment, including the annual Newcastle Regional Show. 3. Aims and Objectives The Trust will achieve its charter by the following corporate objectives: (i) Provide entertainment, exhibition and recreational facilities of a national and international standard for the Hunter Region. (ii) Encourage the maximum use of the facilities. (i ii) Manage the complex in a commercial manner. (iv) Co-ordinate and manage works for the improvement, development and maintenance of the Crown Reserve. 4. Management and Structure As at 30/6/2003 Chairman: Mr R J Edwards, JP Trustees: Mrs S Macleod, BSSc, MSSc, JP Mr D R Saddington, JP Mr R Warry, FACE, JP Mrs C Croll, B Ed, Dip CCD, Cert IV Trainer/A ssessor Mr J G Fitzgerald, BSc, MilE, FIE Aust, CP Eng Mr B P Chard The full Trust meets formally once a month. Page 3 Newcastle Showground & Exhibition Centre Trust Annual Report 2002/2003 5. Summary Review of Operations The Newcastle Entertainment Centre services the region which includes the Central Coast, west to Moree and Armidale and north to Coffs Harbour. This is an important consideration because the potential audience reach is up to one million patrons. On occasions, shows touring Australia have been known to sell more tickets at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre than in Brisbane. The 2002/2003 year represented the eleventh full year of operations of the Entertainment Centre. Entertainment