A number of projects - with a focus on women's facilities and soccer clubs - had been earmarked for the cash. The loan, to come from the state's $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme, had been set aside in the council's budget.

In the original pledge, there were 17 projects cited at 12 sporting clubs. Ballarat Soccer Club would be one of the recipients, with the club's president Lucy Brennan saying the funds to build female friendly change rooms and LED lighting for night training would make a "huge difference",

Other clubs that would benefit include Buninyong Soccer Club, where there would be two more pitches with LED lighting and female friendly change rooms, as well as Victoria Park Soccer Club and Learmonth Football Netball Club, which would both gain new change rooms and other amenities.

The failure of the loan to arrive yet has prompted the council finance department to look into alternatives. Glenn Kallio, the council's director of business services, said he wanted to confirm the timelines of the work and not cause any further delays to the sports clubs.

The works would allow Ballarat to be one of the first cities in Australia to have women's sporting facilities equal to men's, he said.

Mr Kallio also said favourable interest rates could potentially make an up-front loan no less expensive than the state government's proposed lending conditions.

He told The Courier that he was unsure of the reasons behind the delay, but hoped the funds would be available next month whether through the state as originally planned or via bank loan. A resolution to allow the council to seek quotes for a loan goes before councillors next week.

In May, Martin Pakula, the sports minister, said the state loans were in their final stages.

The state government has been approached for comment.