Councillors will be asked to adopt a grand vision to convert an old cane farm near Caloundra into a major sports and events hub for the Sunshine Coast.
The site on Honey Farm Road, near Corbould Park racecourse, could include several fields and ovals, a clubhouse, criterium track, indoor sports centre, trails, wetlands and a dog park.
It could also become a prominent events site for the region, hosting festivals and occasions with as many as 30,000 people.
For the time being, the project is being referred to as the Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct. The land was purchased by council in 2011 rezoned in the 2014 planning scheme.
A masterplan to guide its look and feel will be presented at next week’s council meeting for endorsement.
Local area councillor Peter Cox said the vision had widespread support.
“Given some complicated site conditions that needed to be factored into the design, I think our council team has done a brilliant job with the precinct masterplan,” said Cr Cox.
“This has been further reinforced by the community when we sought feedback late last year.
“I’m certainly looking forward to seeing this masterplan being delivered and coming to life over the next couple of years.”
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Council has made a “draft allocation” of about $20 million for stage 1 which could begin in 2022/23 with construction of a recreation park, wetlands, turf finish of ovals and fields and lighting.
The following year could see work rolled out on a shared clubhouse and the asphalting of roads and carparks.
Although the details are not locked in, after “extensive analysis” key recommendations for the 75 hectare grounds include:
• four rectangular fields (full size football)
• two ovals (full size cricket with eight turf pitches) and cricket practice nets to support
Tier 2 cricket events
• shared fields (four rectangular fields with one oval overlay)
• shared clubhouse
• a 1.8km criterium track with two smaller loops
• hardcourt precinct
• indoor sport and recreation centre
• youth activity area/plaza/bike, skate, ninja warrior/parkour, climbing wall)
• children’s playground (all ability) adjoining a nature play area and open space
• open space and event space including a fitness trail
• wetlands and water bodies with nature trails
• area for disc golf course
• dog off-leash park
An indoor sports building was added to the design after feedback from the community but council’s report states that should be subject to confirmation of demand and a detailed feasibility investigation in the future.
The site, which sits on the Mooloolah flood plain on the outskirts of Caloundra, is already buzzing with some activity as work on internal roads, sub-base and service connections are undertaken.
Cr Cox said said aside from the local sports competitions, regional level cricket and soccer matches would be played there regularly.
“I’d suggest that larger festivals and special events could easily be accommodated, as well as high level competitions on the criterium track when it’s constructed,” he said.
“This district level facility will benefit the wider community due to its significant sports and recreational offering.
“Stage one seeks to fulfil the immediate demand for extra soccer and cricket playing fields, with the future stage two providing a youth plaza, criterium track plus an events / open space area.
“Future stages will see the inclusion of a dog park, hardcourt precinct and expansion of recreational trails.”
The precinct, which will cater to the surrounding communities of Caloundra, Little Mountain, Caloundra West, Pelican Waters and Golden Beach, is part of a broader plan to expand the Coast’s sports centres.
“The Honey Farm Sport & Recreation Precinct is to be complemented by a network of future sport and recreation facilities, which include land purchases to the north for Maroochydore, Buderim and Mooloolaba areas, to the south within Aura and land secured in the hinterland around Nambour/Woombye,” a report to council states.
“The Network Blueprint is council’s long term plan to ensure that an appropriate provision of sport and recreation land and facilities is provided and accessible to the Sunshine Coast
community.”
Although the project received mostly positive community feedback, concerns have been raised about the impact of traffic on Caloundra Road.
