Royal Agricultural Society reveals plans for Royal Melbourne Show

Disney-loving kids are in for a treat at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show, with Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 likely to be two of many new showbags on offer in what’s being called the biggest year of showbags ever.

This year’s Royal Melbourne Show will have more showbags than ever.

Families are in for a treat this year with the “biggest showbag pavilion ever” — and some new showbags to fill it — to be unveiled at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show.

Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria chief executive Paul Guerra said the largest variety of showbags is likely to be on offer.

He remained tight-lipped about exactly what new treats show-goers could expect to find, but said Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 were likely to be on offer.

“We’re just finalising the details now, there will be over 300 showbags, a couple more than last year, but we’re finalising what there will be,” Mr Guerra said.

Showbags go through a stringent process before being approved, including being tested by Consumer Affairs and Victoria Police — to make sure nothing illegal or dangerous is included in the bags.

Mr Guerra said this year’s show was one not to miss.

“We have quite a bit on this year. New pavilions such as the Future Pavilion, which has fully immersive tech such as interactive gaming and virtual reality,” he said.

There will be a new Jurassic pavilion “to get up and close with dinosaurs”, a twice-daily parade and stunt car show, and free food samples and cooking demonstrations in the Woolworths pavilion.

A new masterplan is being drawn up for the Showgrounds, and locals are asking for a renewed focus on agriculture.

Big changes could be in store for the Showgrounds in future years, Mr Guerra said, following last week’s $1.5 million cash injection to the Society to create a masterplan for the Ascot Vale site.

Cafes, restaurants, bars, schools, and international events were all part of the vision for the Showgrounds, he said.

“One of the things Victoria is becoming famous for is food and drink, so there’s an opportunity to bring that together on the site,” Mr Guerra said.

MORE: PRESSURE TO FILL CITY’S BLACK HOLE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

NORTHWEST MELBOURNE SUBURB MATILDAS COULD SOON CALL HOME

POLICE CALLED AFTER HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN COUNCIL

He said the government, private companies, and universities could come together to create training opportunities at the Showgrounds too.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said planners would consider upgrading or replacing ageing infrastructure and figure out a plan to integrate transport, exhibition, and accommodation facilities into the precinct.

But neighbours have said the plan needs to bring the Showgrounds back to its roots.

“The Showgrounds were ruined after the last development, it lost its heart and soul back then, it will never be the same again,” resident Paul McLaren said.

Mr McLaren said agriculture gone “out the window” and “the animal side of it has been slowly squeezed into little corners”.

Kate Procter agreed and said the Showgrounds needed “to be taken back to how it once was; historical and magical”.

Others were more optimistic. Russell McIntosh said a sports centre would be a good idea.

“Think of the space here for a proper basketball, netball, multipurpose venue. It’s a no-brainer.”