Gunnedah Prepares for 50th Anniversary Year of AgQuip

AgQuip kicks off in Gunnedah next Tuesday for its 50th Anniversary Year, with Gunnedah Shire Council on board as a sponsor.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Gunnedah was the birthplace of AgQuip, with the first field days held in 1973 through the efforts of a small but visionary group of primary producers and volunteers.

“The AgQuip Field Days were not only an ingenious idea, but they were so successful that the legacy has been carried on for half a century, and become one of the biggest field day events in the Southern Hemisphere,” Cr Chaffey said.

“AgQuip, now held by ACM Rural Events, has cemented Gunnedah Shire’s reputation as the birthplace of innovation in agriculture. People from around the country and around the world gather here to see the future of farming.

“Each year, our Shire buzzes with the excitement of tens of thousands of exhibitors, sponsors and visitors who are here to see cutting-edge technology, technical demonstrations and the latest in efficiency and sustainability.

“AgQuip also shines a light on the Gunnedah Shire community and just how enviable our lifestyle can be. Our people are ambassadors for this beautiful part of New South Wales, and our organisations and businesses underpin the success of this important event.”

Cr Chaffey said with the influx of visitors would come the usual increase in traffic, and called on residents to be patient on the roads over the three-day period of AgQuip.

Traffic arrangements for AgQuip, Tuesday, 22 August to Thursday, 24 August:

• The overpass bridge will be open to heavy vehicles only between the hours of 7am to 10.30am and 2.30pm to 6pm. It will be open to all traffic outside these hours (pending traffic volumes).

• View Street and Wandobah Road will be detoured via Hunter Street between 7am and 10.30 am, and 2.30pm and 6pm. Those roads will be open to all traffic outside these hours. Normal bus route access will be available at all times.

• Black Jack Road will be closed at the Oxley Highway intersection between 7am and 7pm. Motorists will need to use Wandobah Road access.

The Gunnedah Shire Council stand is located at site number AA-BB/09, which is in the Education Pavilion.