A steering committee made up of community rep-

resentatives from football, cricket, netball, the Bendigo Bank and the City of Greater Bendigo appointed a consultant to investigate and provide recommendations for football and netball in Greater Bendigo, with particular reference to the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Consultant Peter Jackson has recommended that a trust be formed to manage, plan and develop the QEO and surrounding precinct.

In a report to the council, Mr Jackson proposes that resources presently emp-

loyed by the City of Greater Bendigo on the QEO be transferred to a trust.

“The objectives of the trust would be to manage the QEO precinct,’’ the report states.

“The trust would have overall responsibility for care, improvement, use and promotion of the QEO precinct.

“It would have the power to appoint staff, grant licenses or permits for use of the precinct, impose entry fees and charges for use.

“In this context a prime objective is to restore the QEO and surrounding precinct into a pre-eminent sports precinct in regional Victoria.’’

The report also recommends establishing an independent body to manage, control and promote football and netball in central Victoria.

The report recommends that a feasibility study be undertaken.