Think they are planning a redevelopment of Richardson park, the traditional home of nt rugby league. It's not in best location and will still be just for local fixtures, any nrl game played in darwin will be at marrara stadium
yes thats it. its on ABC news online
Northern Territory Labor has released its alternative plan for a revamped home for rugby league, but the head of NTRL (Northern Territory Rugby League) says they still support the Government's more expensive Richardson Park proposal.
Labor Leader Michael Gunner said it supported the Ludmilla Primary School Council's call to halt the tender process to expand and upgrade the Richardson Park grounds, which would require land from the school.
Mr Gunner said based on the available evidence, and the NTRL's original submission, it supported a relocation of NTRL from Richardson Park to Warren Park at Marrara sporting complex.
He said that due to the existing infrastructure at Marrara, a 1,500-seat stadium could be erected for $16.5 million, as opposed to the CLP's $20 million Richardson Park proposal which would seat 11,000.
"We support the decision to invest $20 million in league having a new home; we just believe after talking with people and looking at the evidence that the new home should be at Warren Park, Marrara not Richardson Park," Mr Gunner said.
"Richardson Park has not been played on for two years, it has only one road entrance, limited parking, a limited buffer zone and the only way to have two ovals - which is a minimum requirement of professional level games - is to take away valuable oval space from Ludmilla Primary [School]."
Grounds at Marrara 'earmarked for new tennis centre'
Sports Minister Gary Higgins said the grounds at Marrara were not actually available.
"I know people have pointed out there's a whole stack of vacant land there, that's been earmarked for the new tennis centre, which has been proposed," he said.
"The other issue is that the Warren Park is owned by South Darwin Football Club. It is not government land."
John Mitchell, general manager of NTRL, said they were "very happy" with the Government's plan to upgrade Richardson Park
"We're in a position where we're going to get an NRL-standard facility at Richardson Park - the home of rugby league in the NT for the last 50 to 60 years, we're very pleased with that," Mr Mitchell said.
"We're even hoping that the NRL fixture next year might be in August, and that we would actually play our finals series back at Richardson Park in late August or September."
Mr Mitchell said he believed a mutually-beneficial agreement could be reached with the Department of Education and Ludmilla Primary School, and that space-related issues such as parking could be resolved over time.
Mr Gunner said he had informed the NTRL of Labor's position.
