Work begins on major sport and recreation facility

A major regional sporting, recreation and community precinct on the Sunshine Coast is one step closer with earthworks on site now underway.

The precinct at Meridan Plains will feature purpose-built sporting fields and ovals for football (soccer) and cricket, hardcourt activities, disc golf, playgrounds, active youth and play spaces for biking, skate boarding, nature trails, wetland experiences, dog-friendly facilities and opportunities for community events.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomed the start of earthworks as the next step towards the Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct coming to life on the northern side of Caloundra Road opposite the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.

“Here on the Sunshine Coast, we’re connecting and engaging with our communities to build a better future for everyone,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Sport and recreation facilities play such an important role in our local community and this one has been planned in conjunction with the people of the Sunshine Coast.

“In 2020 we sought community input on the master plan, seeking feedback on a new sport and recreation precinct in Meridan Plains, and this informed the precinct planning.

“Master planning helps to provide infrastructure which reflects community need and avoids ad hoc development over time.

“Sunshine Coast Council endorsed the Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct Master Plan at the Ordinary Meeting on March 25, 2021 with funding predominantly from the endorsed Local Government Infrastructure Plan.

“The master plan provides for a highly functional, 75-hectare regional sports facility, a unique regional recreation park for all ages and abilities, and space for significant community events.

“It will be a regional precinct for everyone in our community to enjoy.”

Sunshine Coast Council Division 3 Councillor Tim Burns said the precinct would encourage the community to be involved in active sports, outdoor recreation, healthy living and community events.

“Every day we are working together to focus on our customers, build community trust, and plan for the future,” Cr Burns said.

“Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct will be a major integrated sport and recreation precinct, and a great example of this.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity that has been shaped by our community to create a healthy and active precinct for our whole community to enjoy now and into the future.”

Planning for the future

The facility’s development on Honey Farm Road will be staged in line with Council’s 10 Year Capital Works Program along with external funding opportunities sought from the Queensland and Australian Governments.

Council’s previously approved budget allocation of $3.75 million provides funding to complete early works.

Stage 1 Sport and Recreation works will continue into 2025 and are estimated to cost about $20 million, funded through Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan.

Initial earthworks, access roads and service connections are well-underway.  

Works underway

The field/ oval earthworks and buried services are now underway for Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct.

The works under this contract are anticipated to be completed by April 2025, weather and site conditions permitting.

This part of the project includes:

• earthworks and preparation of sports fields subgrade
• internal road network and carparking
• construction of water bodies and wetlands
• Energex site connection, internal water, sewer, stormwater and electrical reticulation
• soccer field sports lighting installation to operational completion
• pedestrian crossings, network pathways and verge works
• preparation of maintenance precinct and sewage treatment plant
• stockpiling of excess site materials for future use

Sunshine Coast Council is working towards the sports precinct being operational by 2026.

Council will continue to update and engage with both community and key stakeholders during future detailed planning stages.

To view the master plan please visit Council’s website.

Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct timeline:

• 2011 – Land acquired
• 2013-2016 – Site planning
• 2021 – Master plan endorsed
• 2023 – Sports Precinct detailed design completed
• 2021-22 – Bulk earthworks, drainage and access
• 2024-25 Stage 1 Construction and preparation of the Sports Precinct including bulk earthworks, buried services, field lighting, carparks, internal road network, wetlands, water bodies. Further contracts will include irrigation and pump station (maintenance precinct), sports field construction and wetlands establishment.
• 2025-26 – Construction of shared clubhouses, synthetic field, landscape works, effluent treatment system and remaining precinct activation works.
• 2025-26 – Detailed design and approvals for Stage 2

FAST FACTS:

• The facility will encourage the community to be involved in active sports, outdoor recreation, healthy living and community events.
• The 75-hectare site was purchased in 2011 to provide long term sport and recreation facilities to serve the entire region.
• The site has been a long-term project for Council and is a priority project within the Environment and Liveability Strategy, and the Local Government Infrastructure Plan.
• The site is located north of Caloundra Road opposite the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. It has frontages to Honey Farm and Westaway roads.
• The precinct is proposed to offer a range of sport and recreational activities including but not limited to cricket, football (soccer), hardcourt activities, disc golf, events, playgrounds, pedal and skate play, criterium track, multi-use trails, dog park, event space and nature walks.