Planning for soccer surge

By Melissa Grant
FIVE soccer precincts are in the pipeline for Cardinia, as the world sport continues to gain popularity in the municipality.
Civic leaders this week adopted a regional strategy, which outlines the need for two district and three neighbourhood facilities in Cardinia.
The district precincts, proposed for Henry Road in Pakenham and Officer’s Gum Scrub Creek, are likely to include full-size synthetic pitches.
Councillor Collin Ross said soccer had taken off in Cardinia in recent times, with at least 120 competitors in Pakenham and another 78 in Bunyip.
“You can’t help but be impressed,” Cr Ross said.
“We have a lot of areas around here taking on soccer.”
The regional soccer strategy for Casey, Yarra Ranges and Cardinia, states that population growth in the region would drive demand for local soccer facilities.
The report recommended that Casey Fields be developed to incorporate a regional soccer facility and that additional land be acquired in the Yarra Ranges for another.
The development of a regionalfacility in Cardinia wasn’t recommended because of the shire’s low soccer participation.
Instead, district facilities are suggested for Henry Road and Gum Scrub Creek, while smaller neighbourhood precincts are recommended for Deep Creek, Pakenham; O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield; and Gum Scrub Creek, Pakenham.
Cr Brett Owen emphasised that plans for the soccer facilities were long-term.
“We have to put it in perspective and not excite people too early,” he said.
Cr Owen said the council already had a list of projects to attend to: “People have to understand we have priorities.”
The Toomuc Creek precinct is listed as high priority, expected to be built within three years. The other reserves proposed would be developed over the next three to 10 years.
Mayor Bill Pearson expected the sport would continue to gain popularity in Cardinia.
“Soccer will develop faster than we think,” he said.