A new sports and rec complex and a revamped major road will be delivered sooner, after the projects received significant funding.
The Honey Farm Sports and Recreation Precinct at Meridan Plains and the First Avenue Streetscape at Maroochydore were granted $25 million support from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomed the commitment, matched by council, to progress the projects.
“They will provide much-needed community facilities, parklands and infrastructure to create a healthier and more connected community and support our local businesses,” she said.
“The Honey Farm Sports and Recreation Precinct will now be delivered faster than anticipated.
“Our community will be enjoying some of these facilities as soon as next year.
“The First Avenue Streetscape project will be critical in connecting the Maroochydore City Centre to Cotton Tree and Ocean Street, improving the way people move around safely, get to work and enjoy the leisure facilities in the area.
“We are grateful to the Australian Government for its recognition of these important projects that will create an even more connected, thriving and liveable community on the Sunshine Coast.”
Stage 1 of the Honey Farm precinct received $13.6 million.
It will be a greenfield sports complex that will provide a major regional sporting, recreation and community precinct for the Sunshine Coast.
It will feature first-class sporting fields and ovals for football (soccer) and cricket, hardcourt activities, skateboarding and disc golf.
It will also have playgrounds, nature trails, wetland experiences, dog-friendly areas and opportunities for community events.
Councillor Christian Dickson said council was “thrilled to receive the funding”.
“(It) will help bring this major regional precinct to life for our entire community,” he 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.
“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.”
The precinct will also provide a new home for some sports relocated as part of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure improvements.
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The funding is a partial contribution towards a $100 million precinct development.
Council aims to have the football (soccer) fields operational next year.
The First Avenue Streetscape received funding of $11.9 million.
It will be a vibrant, shady and inclusive link between the Maroochydore City Centre, Cotton Tree and Ocean Street precincts.
The upgrade will transform the older section of First Avenue, Maroochydore, providing businesses, residents and visitors a more inviting space to live, work and play.
Cr Dickson said the upgrade would help the street operate more safely, improve accessibility and enhance the look and experience of the area.
“This project is a critical step in connecting the established northern section of First Avenue with the newly expanded City Centre, Aerodrome Road, The Esplanade and Duporth Avenue,” he said.
“The streetscape focuses on improving the built urban environment with shaded and attractive open space to conduct business, enjoy the local restaurants and actively move about more safely and efficiently by calming local traffic.
“By enhancing the look and atmosphere of this thoroughfare, we can continue to maintain and build upon Maroochydore’s strong economy and become a driver for attracting new investment in the commercial precinct.”
The First Avenue Streetscape is now expected to be delivered in 2027.
The federal government allocated funding to 25 projects in regional projects, worth $159 million, as part of the Government’s Growing Regions Program.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the funding was crucial.
“Quality infrastructure in regional areas is invaluable and this funding will build and upgrade key facilities that can be enjoyed by communities for years to come,” he said.
Minister for Regional Development Catherine King said the projects would create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth and productivity.
“We’re making sure our regions remain great places to live, work and play by investing in critical community and economic infrastructure across regional and rural areas, in a fair and transparent way,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing the successful projects roll out across the nation, supporting employment, stimulating economies and strengthening communities.”
