The Sunshine Coast Council recently gave the green light to the Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct Master Plan, marking a significant milestone in the region’s sporting landscape. This ambitious project, situated at Meridan Plains, promises a plethora of opportunities for sports, recreation, and community engagement. Among its highlights are purpose-built sporting facilities, nature trails, dog-friendly amenities, youth activity spaces, wetland experiences, and a venue for community events.
Divisional Councillor Peter Cox emphasized that this master plan envisions a vibrant sport and recreation precinct that fosters a healthy, innovative, and active community. The 75-hectare facility is designed to cater to a wide range of interests and abilities, aligning with best practices in climate-responsive design to leverage the Sunshine Coast’s subtropical climate and lifestyle.
Community feedback played a crucial role in shaping the precinct’s features. A survey conducted last year revealed overwhelming support for the draft plan, with a significant emphasis on sporting fields and courts, followed closely by the youth activity node and criterium cycling course. Responding to suggestions for non-sporting events, the council assessed the site’s potential to accommodate up to 30,000 patrons, a move aimed at boosting tourism and community engagement in the area.
The Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct is part of the Sunshine Coast Council’s broader efforts to enhance the region’s liveability and environment through strategic infrastructure development. The project, located on Honey Farm Road, will be implemented in stages in alignment with the council’s 10-Year Capital Works Program, supplemented by external funding opportunities from state and federal sources.
Initial works on the precinct, including earthworks, access roads, and service connections, are already underway following a budget allocation of $3.75 million in the 2020/21 financial year. The first stage of sport and recreation developments is projected to continue until 2024, with an estimated cost of approximately $20 million funded through the council’s annual capital works program. Subsequent stages will be rolled out as funding becomes available, with a detailed timeline outlining construction milestones up to 2025 and beyond.
The Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct’s comprehensive master plan includes a diverse array of facilities such as football fields, cricket ovals, a criterium track, hardcourt precinct, indoor sports center, youth activity area, all-ability playground, wetlands, disc golf course, and a dog park. These offerings are poised to promote active living, community engagement, and healthy lifestyles among Sunshine Coast residents.
In conclusion, the Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct represents a transformative project that promises to enrich the Sunshine Coast community’s sporting experiences, outdoor pursuits, and recreational opportunities. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and community feedback, this precinct is poised to become a cornerstone of the region’s sporting landscape, embodying the council’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and active community.
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