The Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society yesterday unveiled a masterplan model for the proposed relocation, which will cost more than $12 million.

Ballarat City Council has endorsed the relocation plan but State Government approval is still needed.

Under the plan, the showgrounds would be moved to a crown land site at a south west section of Victoria Park. The proposed development would be multi-purpose and feature a 10,000sqm expo pavilion, conference and convention

centre, main arena, helipad and an outdoor stage area.

It would replace ageing infrastructure at the current showgrounds site in Creswick Rd, which has been in use for 71 years, and help attract major events to the city. BAPS director Gerard Ballinger said the proposed project aimed

to make Ballarat the best country show in Victoria.

"It's going to be one of the most exciting things to happen to the agricultural society and also to the citizens of Ballarat, to have such a facility to be able to have and attract events to Ballarat."

The project relies on about $7 million in funding from local, state and federal governments, with $3.5 million to be generated from the sale of the current site and the balance derived from private donations.

Project coordinator John Philips said the Agricultural and Pastoral Society would apply for State Government approval for the project next month. The relocation is expected to take 12 months to complete once approval and

funding is obtained.

"I believe that the location, because it's unused, would be excellent given that we've had only minimal inquiries," Mr Philips said.

"It's an area that no one uses down there and there's a lot of Vic Park wasted so I think it's got a lot of merit."

Ballarat Mayor David Vendy said the project would be a major economic driver for Ballarat, attracting new events to the city such as the motor show and the food and wine festival.

"The economic impact of the events proposed would likely vary from approximately $100,000 to $2 million," Cr Vendy said.