THE district's hockey players are closer than ever to having the permanent use of a synthetic pitch after council unveiled its blueprint for the future of the game in the Highlands.

After more than a decade of intense lobbying, the Highlands Hockey Association is on the brink of calling Frensham's world class pitch home following council's decision to spend $200,000 on crucial upgrades needed to access the field.

Council will build an RTA approved access route off Range Road while the hockey association will be responsible for the construction of a carpark and amenities block.

The deal now hinges on Frensham's willingness to enter into a long-term lease with the association but council has now vowed to pursue other options if talks stall at the negotiation phase.

Association president Mark Chadwick is confident a new agreement would help stem the tide of talented young players leaving the district for greener pastures.

"For good players to develop further, it's absolutely vital to play on turf and hopefully this will prevent the young ones leaving the area," he said.

"The association welcomes council's commitment and it's now up to us to make sure funding and other things are in place."

The decision has surprised many in the hockey community who believed council would not provide necessary funding for the Frensham upgrade.

"It really came out of the blue and I'm not really sure what made them come to it," Mr Chadwick said.

"We are still cautious about it and it will still be a long haul.

"Many people on the association before me have done a lot more than myself to make this possible."

Mayor Phil Yeo said the funding showed council was committed to helping the hockey community gain greater access to the water-based pitch.

"Council is committed to helping the association and we're optimistic talks with Frensham will go well," he said.

"But if something can't come of it then we will go back to the drawing board and look at other options."

Talks with Frensham are believed to be set down for the next couple of weeks.