SpringNats stays in Shepparton, but changes are coming

Organisers had asked for an extension of up to 10 years to the existing agreement, which was due to expire after the 2026 event, but council has only given a three-year extension to the motoring event, and it has put conditions on it.

These include that the street cruise parade through Fryers St and the Shepparton Showgrounds precinct will move from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning after the 2026 event, limiting the disruption to traffic and business trading.

Measures to prohibit alcohol being brought on site by participants will also be implemented, as well as consequences for breaches.

Council will also continue to implement conditions around driving times, as well as event finishing times, that have been in place since 2010.

These conditions include that burnout driving time be limited to a maximum of three hours on each of the days, and driving activities have to be finished by 9.30pm on the Friday and Saturday, and 5pm on the Sunday.

Use of open exhaust systems is not permitted, except during the burnout competition and demonstrations, and all driving events are to be controlled, with no dangerous driving permitted.

SpringNats has been held in Shepparton for 30 years, and at the Shepparton Showgrounds since 2009.

A report to council by council staff said the event had attracted more than 20,000 people across the three-day event since it moved to the showgrounds, and while no formal economic impact study had been done, it was estimated to have brought into the town between $500,000 and $1 million each year.

The report said a point of contention for some in the town was the burnout competition, which, despite being a fan-favourite, generates excessive noise and smoke.

The report said four complaints were received after the 2024 event, with about five received on average each year since the SpringNats moved to the showgrounds.

One of the complaints was from Fire Recue Victoria about smoke from burning rubber infiltrating the FRV building in Archer St — including offices, the motor room and sleeping quarters — impacting staff wellbeing and operations during last year’s event.

FRV will undertake its own atmospheric monitoring throughout this year’s event to assess carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and airborne smoke levels.

In moving a motion at the council meeting to support the three-year agreement extension, Cr Anthony Brophy said the report showed council took complaints seriously and would look at them over the next 12 months, but also that SpringNats was an important event for the town.

“It draws big crowds. And it supports hospitality (businesses),” he said.

“Yes, it can be noisy and smelly, but it is one weekend of the year.

“After 30 years’ history, the future, I hope, is assured.”

Cr Fern Summer called the SpringNats an “institution” in Shepparton.

“For one weekend, we get up to $1 million a year,” she said.

“I think we need to be staunchly confident it stays at the showgrounds.”

Cr Sam Spinks unsuccessfully tried to move a motion that councillors delay their decision until after the FRV findings were received after this year’s event, and after council had done an economic analysis of the event to see how much money it injected into town.

Cr Spinks said she supported SpringNats, but said council needed to ask whether the showgrounds was the appropriate venue for it.

Mayor Shane Sali supported the signing of the new agreement and wanted the event to continue to be a major drawcard on the region’s calendar.

“If we do support this, it doesn’t mean we’re dismissive of reports and submissions,” he said.

“It’s about how we can support this event to come to Shepparton.

“We’ve listened to the concerns from the community and will continue to work with the event organisers to minimise these impacts.”