15 August 2018

Now is the perfect time to visit the largest agricultural based exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere.

The 2018 AgQuip Field Days have remained industry relevant, evolving and a great platform for new technology and information within the agricultural sector each year, and Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the dry times make that even more important.

“AgQuip means different things to different people, but the one thing we all have in common is coming together for a shared event,” Cr Chaffey said.

This year Gunnedah has had a spotlight on the Shire as a hub for community efforts in providing drought relief.

Cr Chaffey said while these are welcome initiatives to help the farmers, there is something else the rest of Australia can do to help regional towns the most.

“If there is a message I would like to get across at AgQuip this year and beyond, make sure you tell your friends and family not to stay away just because it is dry, but to visit in a regional town,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We are so proud to showcase Gunnedah and our region to the many visitors to the area. We have this one opportunity a year to get this great exposure and even though the region is drought, this year will be a great event. Encouraging people to take a rural holiday will go a long way to help regional towns in drought,” he said.

“To ensure the business doors stay open, locals continue to have jobs, people and businesses continue to invest and the primary producers have somewhere to buy and sell; visit a regional town like Gunnedah. You can help mitigate the economic downturn of a rural town by bringing your family to see all the sights there is to see regardless of the drought.”

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey as set up begins for AgQuip 2018.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.