The Joint Regional Planning Panel has finally approved a major revamp of Maitland Sportsground, which could pave the way for the city to host ­matches between elite sporting teams.

Maitland City Council hopes the new facilities, which will include a new grandstand, will mean that the Newcastle Knights could play an NRL trial game in Maitland and the Newcastle Jets could bring a pre-­season A-League fixture to the city.

It could also leave the door open for Maitland to host the NRL’s annual City vs Country match, which is played at a different regional town each year.

That’s not to mention the top-class facilities that would be on offer for Maitland’s sporting teams, the likes of which have never been available in this city before.

The flow-on benefits of the new-look sportsground are obvious.

Better facilities for spectators means that more people are likely to go and support the Maitland Pickers in the Hunter’s rugby league competition on a weekly basis.

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And marquee events featuring elite teams would attract more visitors to Maitland to spend money – possibly for an overnight stay – which would be a welcome boost to the region’s economy.

The state government announced money for the upgrades early last year.

But with construction work ­expected to take place next winter, it means that the sportsground will be out of action for games such as rugby league next year.

That means a major spanner in the works for the Pickers.

Hopefully council will help ease the inconvenience that the renovations will bring.

However, if the end result is as good as it sounds, it will be short-term pain for long-term gain.