Draft master plan for Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation precinct endorsed by council

A stadium fit for thousands of spectators as well as an aquatic zone and cafe and retail areas are featured in an exciting draft plan for a Fraser Coast sports precinct.

Included in the draft master plan is a premier field surrounded by a stadium and earth banks that could seat thousands of spectators.

The future of Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation precinct development reached a major milestone with a draft master plan endorsed.

It comes as plans are finalised for a $2.8m multipurpose centre that will provide a new home for basketball in the region.

Fraser Coast Regional Council endorsed the master plan at Wednesday’s meeting which included a premier field and stadium that could seat thousands of spectators.

“The draft master plan … is the strategic vision for the future staged development of the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct,” councillor Darren Everard said.

“It identifies what the site should look like and how it should function and takes into consideration community needs and aspirations, existing and potential future users as well as emerging trends in sport and recreation.

“While (it) sets out the future development, we do not anticipate that all elements will proceed immediately. It is a guide to the future development of the precinct.”

Included in the draft master plan is a premier field surrounded by a stadium and earth banks that could seat thousands of spectators.

He said timing would depend on funding available from state and federal governments as well as community and commercial partnerships.

The focal point of the precinct is the premier field and adjacent multi-use centre.

“The premier field will provide a first-rate facility capable of hosting high-level sporting and community events,” councillor Daniel Sanderson said.

It would have seating for 3500 people as well as grass spectator embankments which could accommodate up to 20,000 additional spectators.

Key facilities include an AFL oval, capable of supporting a rectangular field, lighting, scoreboard, covered seating and embankments, amenities and support facilities for players, coaches and officials, kitchen and kiosk, storage facilities and a gymnasium.

The multi-use leisure centre would be the “gateway” to the main precinct and enable recreation, health and wellbeing activities.

Fraser Coast Councillor Darren Everard said the sports precinct would grow alongside the region’s population.

The centre could feature multipurpose indoor courts, a show court with retractable seating, health and fitness centre, a spin room as well as a gym, wellness and allied health services.

A cafe and retail zone, an aquatic zone with a pool and volleyball courts could also form part of future plans.

“The leisure centre change-rooms will be accessible externally to the premier field to support additional teams for larger sporting events when required,” Mr Sanderson said.

The outdoor sport zone will respond to immediate and longer-term demand for outdoor field sports.

The master plan allows for three ovals, clubhouse and amenities, eight additional netball courts and an athletic precinct.

A dedicated cycling precinct and “adventure park” could accommodate a pump track, skate and parkour zone, mountain biking and a criterium track

The 60ha precinct is on the corner of Woods and Chapel Rds, Nikenbah.

Stage one opened in February 2019 with facilities for netball, soccer and Oztag.

Since the opening, Fraser Coast Cycling has also been based at the precinct and council has had discussions with the Hervey Bay Basketball Association to relocate to the precinct.

The designs for a $2.8m multipurpose sports centre, which will provide a new home for basketball in Hervey Bay, are being finalised.

The precinct has already hosted the Brisbane Roar on multiple occasions for training camps and exhibition games, while the Queensland Reds rugby union squad recently held a pre-season training camp there.

“The completion of stage one was a significant milestone, but it’s also the first step in a long journey. This precinct will grow as our community grows,” Mr Everard said.

Originally published as Draft master plan for Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation precinct endorsed by council