The $100,000 in funding allocated by council will mean fencing and other upgrades will now go ahead at the Johnny Martin Oval in Taree.

It will complement the $150,000 in grant funding from the Rural Development Australia Fund (RDFA).

"Council wrote and submitted the successful funding application to the third round of the RDAF earlier this year," mayor Paul Hogan said.

"Council is pleased to now be able to provide the additional funding needed from its Section 94 regional open space fund."

The Taree Park cricket oval was dedicated to local sports hero Johnny Martin in 1988. Whilst Martin was a world-class cricketer, and loyal council worker before and after his cricketing career, the eponymous oval has not lived up to its potential.

Despite reasonable stands, the oval has not been suitable for regional cricket matches, mostly due to the lack of fencing, making ticketing near impossible.

"Being able to ticket sports patrons will mean a boost to the local sporting community," deputy mayor and chair of the Greater Taree Sport and Recreation Committee, Alan Tickle said. "This has been a long sought-after goal of the sports and recreation committee and the community".

The plan involves the installation of perimeter fencing at Taree Park, pitch restoration works and works to upgrade the heritage-listed grandstand overlooking Johnny Martin Oval.

The grandstand was victim to arson earlier this month, and this week's project funding will mean restoration works can proceed this financial year.

The works will deliver security fencing around the Johnny Martin Oval grandstand, approximately 800m of perimeter fencing which will facilitate ticketed regional events.

"Everyday users of the park will be able to access the oval through gates which will only be closed when we've got an event on," the mayor said.

"We will also be upgrading the wicket square, and get that grandstand in shape."

Councillors also agreed last night in an additional resolution that proper signage be erected at the oval to inform users of acceptable behaviours and uses of the facilities.

"Council also wants to make sure we perform a review of the impact of the fencing on social and sporting activities at the park," Cr Tickle said.

"We will be working closely with the police and the community to ensure the park remains a safe and friendly atmosphere for residents and sports enthusiasts".

The project is planned for completion within the current 2013-14 financial year.