Cricket plan dropped down the order

CRICKET nets for Banyul Warri Fields remain part of council planning but are deep in a queue for planned sporting precinct upgrades.

Surfcoast Stingrays Cricket Club had pushed its case earlier this year for the training facility at its new home at north Torquay, following fears it could slip through the cracks of council planning behind other big-money priorities.

The club is currently sharing training facilities at Armstrong Creek, which it says is inhibiting its growth for more teams, especially in women’s and junior cricket.

Surf Coast Shire Council reviewed its future use plan for the civic sporting precinct this year and handed down its report for a council vote last week, which indicated ongoing support for the project.

“The continued growth of cricket in the area and that of the Surf Coast Cricket Club demonstrates a future need for a training facility in the North Torquay area.”

But there’s no clear timeline on when the training facility could become a reality, with the council yet to decide on final plans or have a funding commitment for the nets.

The shire has prioritised a new pool and health centre, hockey courts, car parking and a pavilion extension for soccer club Surf Coast FC ahead of the nets.

In a separate report tabled at last week’s meeting, the council indicated that a Banyul Warri Fields cricket training facility was in planning as part of a social infrastructure pipeline, albeit behind six other investment-ready projects.

A similar facility for Spring Creek is also planned and is costed at $960,000.