The showground has been under an administrator since May 2020 after the last board disbanded due to ongoing disputes between the AH&P and the board.

The last showground board had seven members with one ex-officio position for the AH&P, however the new board will have only five members with two ex-officio roles for the AH&P.

The Western Advocate emailed Water, Property and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey's office who confirmed the new board structure.

Ms Pavey's office was sent a number of questions, including if someone asked for the board numbers to be reduced. A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Crown Lands said the minister could appoint up to seven members to Crown Land Manager boards.

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In a statement to the paper, the spokesperson said: "The new board will strive to achieve an appropriate balance of representation between the community and the historically significant main user group of the showground, the Bathurst Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Association".

Bathurst's Christine Curry, who sat on the two previous showground boards, called it a disappointing outcome for the community. She said the last board wound up in 2020 due to ongoing disputes with the AH&P.

"... I'm disappointed the AH&P gets two ex-officio positions when there are several other stakeholders at the showground that could take up a position," she said.

"I think one ex-officio position is definitely sufficient on a five-member board. Having two in five, it's not right."

However, AH&P executive secretary Brett Kenworthy said there was "great merit" in the new model.

He said the AH&P had supported the showground since 1878 and founded many of the organisations that continue to use it.

"The new model is unique and looks at how things can work for the Bathurst Showground," Mr Kenworthy said.

As for concerns of a takeover, Mr Kenworthy said that was the last thing people should worry about.

"The AH&P is an organisation which has spent in excess of 150 years developing the place, it's not about to do anything that will damage it," he said. "If people have concerns they should engage with the new board and engage with the AH&P."

Bathurst MP Paul Toole referred queries on the matter to Minister Pavey's office.

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