sounds like a job for evz

Showground to store rainwater

THE Adelaide Showground plans to catch 3.5 million litres of water each year in a 5000 sq m underground water tank in a bid to guarantee future water supplies.
The storage facility, worth $1.5 million, will catch rainwater from new and existing buildings to be constructed as part of the showgrounds' 20-year masterplan.

If approved, the water tank would mean 30 per cent of the showgrounds' annual water use would be self-sufficient.

Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society chief executive John Rothwell said the tank would guarantee water supply in the future.

"This is not about the cost of building the facility or the cost-effectiveness of it, it's about surety of water supply," he said.

"Three or four years ago, you probably wouldn't be thinking about doing these types of things but we see it as our way of helping the environment."

The water holding facility would be part of stage 1 of the $180 million master plan for the showgrounds, which will deliver an exhibition space of 26,500 sq m.

A new bus interchange will also be constructed on the Goodwood Rd side of the showgrounds before next year's Show, with the area becoming a public plaza when the Show is not on.

Jubilee Pavilion will be extended, lifting its exhibition space by 9000 sq m to 17,000 sq m.

Mr Rothwell said the exhibition facilities at the showgrounds were "outdated" and would now become of an "international standard".

"We will now be able to accommodate for exhibitions that have previously wanted to come to Adelaide, but we haven't had enough space," he said. "It will also allow for the enhancement of the Motor Show and Caravan and Camping Show."

The Federal Government has committed $35 million to the showgrounds for stage 1 of the redevelopment, while the Show society will spend a further $7 million.

"The masterplan is evolving for the showground in which we see about $180 million will need to be spent over the next 20 years to meet the expectations of the community," he said.