PLANS for the new Ballarat Showgrounds have been released publicly with a proposal to build on a 16.2 hectare site at Rosehill Road, Mount Rowan.
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The plans, which can be viewed on the City of Ballarat website, include the development and use of a multi-purpose showgrounds facility to meet the additional demands of the community.
The proposal includes the retention and integration of the existing equestrian centre, operated by Federation University.
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The showgrounds also feature an exhibition centre to cater for functions, shows and events, agricultural/primary industry promotions, training and education and markets.
The site will also allow short term camping for Ballarat Show and equestrian participants visiting for events.
Other facilities include: Pavilion 'A' and 'B' which are two existing sheds of 240sq/m each located on Rose Hill Road to be converted into exhibition halls. The facility will also provide meetings rooms, training rooms, offices, a kitchen and amenities while an outdoor undercover reception area is integrated into the administration building.
A food court will be centrally located on the site while the main oval will have dimensions of 160m by 130m with stepped seating along the western boundary of the oval.
There will also be space for over 250 stalls of 5m x 5m. There will also be formal dedicated on-site car parks along the northern site boundary with space for 250 car parks. Additional on-street parking of up to 140 spaces would be accommodated along the Rose Hill Road frontage.
Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society chairman of the redevelopment committee Michael Daunt said the plans had been a long time in the making.
"We've run up some dead ends int he last 10 years in an endeavour to find a suitable site after 90 years at the current site," Mr Daunt said.
"Sadly, available space has diminished due to football at the Creswick Road site, but this site at Mount Rowan is admirably suited for the future."
Mr Daunt said the new showgrounds could provide up to four times the space of the current site, which sits on just over 11 acres.
"We previously had two attempts to relocate to Victoria Park, the first attempt was thwarted by community concerns and the second attempt we failed to get the funding from Canberra, because it's a Greenfields site. Mount Rowan already has existing structure which we will be able to utilise."
He said it was expected redevelopment would cost between $12 and $15 million and would be paid for by a $5 million promised State Government funding and the future sale of the Creswick Road land.
He said if approvals were granted, work was needed on numerous issues including underground works like drainage, sewage, roads and power before construction would begin. He said it would be likely be two to three years before a full spring show could be held at the site.
"We are 160 plus years in existence, one of the oldest associations in town. It's our third move in the period and we think that owning the freehold of 16 hectares is a good move for us and for Ballarat," he said.
If you wish to have your say on the plans, you can do so at ballarat.vic.gov.au
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