The sheep pavilion at The Rock Showgrounds was built in 1953 using 52 cypress logs intact, boasting a clear view of the The Rock itself.

But, as of late 2020, a new observatory was constructed next to the pavilion in a way members of the show society said "ruined the view" and "hinted at an intention of demolishing the structure".

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Show society member Trish Ingold said while she feared the damage was done, a lack of consultation around the observatory was to blame.

"Yes, there was a community meeting held, but it was nothing formal, no minutes were taken, and we ultimately never got a say in where the observatory should be built, if at all," she said.

While Lockhart Shire Council legally has rights to build on the grounds given it is classified as a Crown Reserve for which they are the Crown Land Manager, Ms Ingold said the "dismissal" of their voice was "abysmal".

"There were two other parcels of land offered to council that were slightly out of town, and they were rejected because they said it would deter people from spending time in the town," she said.

"But where they have it now, there is so much light pollution on many days of the year with Emerald Grain operation under big flood lights through harvest season and while they load grain year round.

"We just can't understand it, we have 100 acres here at the showgrounds, and yet they decided to build this thing basically on top of the pavilion."

Lockhart Shire Council general manager Peter Veneris denied claims the society was not consulted.

"I understand that when the Observatory was first being planned and following the approval of a NSW Government grant to The Rock Progress Association for the project, an on-site meeting was convened with representatives of the Reserve's user bodies including the Show Society," he said.

"I also understand that at that site meeting there was majority support for the location of the building and the project more generally."

Further to concerns around the structure potentially being demolished, Mr Veneris said the observatory complied with relevant building and planning regulations, negating the need for demolition.

"Council is consulting the Reserve's Management Committee and the Show Society regarding a landscaping and car parking plan for the Observatory which also canvases options for the future of the structure," he said.

"The options canvassed include retaining a section of the structure with interpretative signage."

At the current state, Mr Veneris said the pavilion was not fit for use.

"... the council arranged for a structural engineer to inspect the structure," he said.

"The engineer has confirmed that the building is unsafe."

While Ms Ingold agreed that work needed to be done on the pavilion, she said funding to do so would have been more beneficial than going towards a "poorly-placed" observatory.

"We had a builder come and inspect this site and they confirmed it could be fixed up safely and successfully," she said.

"It would have been stunning to hold weddings or events, and that could have also been a source of income for the town too."

While the show society members felt council had been more cooperative as of late, they each said the initial process failed to recognise the society's 73-year history.

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