Turf goes down on first fields at Sunshine Coast's $100m precinct

Sunshine Coast Council has started laying turf on the first four soccer fields at the estimated $100 million Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct at Meridan Plains, Sunshine Coast News reported on 4 November 2026. The outlet said the fields are being prioritised so they are ready for the 2027 season.

The 75ha precinct sits north of Caloundra Road, opposite the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, with frontages to Honey Farm and Westaway roads, land the council bought in 2011. Across the full precinct, plans take in two cricket ovals and eight soccer fields, plus playgrounds, hardcourts, a dog park and trails. Stage 1 covers the eight soccer fields plus earthworks, roads, carparks, pathways, service connections, wetlands, sports field lighting, clubhouse buildings, public amenities and a grounds maintenance precinct. Sunshine Coast News reported clubhouse construction is already under way.

Mayor Rosanna Natoli said of the turf going down, “This is more than just grass: it’s a symbol of progress and a sign that the Honey Farm precinct is taking shape.”

Why it matters

Related Sunshine Coast coverage: earthworks begin on the Sunshine Coast interchange project. The outlet said four groups will relocate to Honey Farm over the next couple of years. Caloundra Football Club is coming from Meridan Fields Sporting Complex and the Wanderers football club from Ballinger Park. The cricket association and the Scorchers are both leaving Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex. Council is delivering the precinct itself; the outlet did not name a construction contractor.

The numbers

The project received $13.6 million from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program in January, Sunshine Coast News reported. The outlet said the remaining three soccer fields and a synthetic pitch are scheduled for 2027, with the two cricket ovals targeted for activation in 2028. Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm and Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace were also quoted in the outlet’s report welcoming the milestone, with Wallace saying he was looking forward to seeing local clubs using the fields in 2027.

Councillor Tim Burns, who was also quoted by the outlet, described the project as years in the making and called the turf going down a significant milestone.

What’s next

Sunshine Coast News reported the first four soccer fields are being targeted for activation at the start of the 2027 season, with the remaining three fields and a synthetic pitch also due in 2027. The two cricket ovals are scheduled to follow in 2028. Sunshine Coast News did not give a cost for stage 1, or say how the rest of the estimated $100 million is being funded beyond the $13.6 million grant.