Local cricket is the big winner after Sunshine Coast Council today approved funding towards infrastructure improvements at the University of the Sunshine Coast Eastern Sporting Precinct.

With Ballinger Park Sports Complex having limited capacity to cater for the increasing demands of soccer in the Buderim locality, there was a need to find an alternative cricket facility.

Division 6 Councillor Christian Dickson said council, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland Cricket, Cricket Australia and the Buderim Cricket Club agreed to investigate the possibility of upgrading the Eastern Sporting Precinct at the university to provide a five wicket turf block.

“We are a step closer as today council approved a Facility Development Plan for the Eastern Sporting Precinct of the University of the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Dickson said.

“On behalf of council, I would like to acknowledge and thank the USC for approving the use of the land, the State Government grant funding, Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket for their financial contributions.

“I’m pleased to announce council endorsed the allocation of $137,000 (plus GST) in the 2016/ 2017 divisional funding to support infrastructure improvements at the precinct which will provide a region-wide benefit for community sport.

“The Eastern Sporting Precinct is land owned freehold by the University of the Sunshine Coast and is an important facility that is well utilised by the Chancellor Park Soccer Club, Chancellor State College and the USC student body for training and competition purposes.

“The Facility Development Plan ensures this sporting precinct will continue to be used by football codes in the winter season.

“This project is an example of joint partnerships across government, education, governing sporting bodies and community organisations providing improved sporting facilities and opportunities for the broader community.”

It is planned that the new turf wicket at USC will be available for use in round one of the 2017/18 cricket season.