Richardson Park Redevelopment Proposal Now Abandoned!

Written on 03 January 2016.

The recent proposal, aggressively promoted by Planning Minister David Tollner, and Sports Minister Gary Higgins, to redevelop the derelict Harvey Norman Rugby League Stadium at Richardson park, Ludmilla was a real surprise to the Darwin Community. Lack or any prior consultation was a major issue, as Minister Tollner acted as if the decision had been made, before any application had been lodged. However, after a respectful and well informed concerted rally by the community, an enquiry by the Public Accounts Committee, and a very well attended Sunday evening public meeting, good sense was restored, and the proposal was abandoned by the NT Government.

Richardson Park Redevelopment issues included the following:

1. The stadium had previously been abandoned by NT Rugby League. Their authorised and costed report, dated 2012, estimated moving at about $16 million then, including the high yearly cost of maintaining the existing grounds until a move could be completed. The playing surface was described as poor due to subsurface conditions, parking and access poor, and the location obscure.
2. For years government policy has been to house major sporting grounds together at Marrara where appropriate facilities and expertise could be shared, and transport was better focussed.
3. The proposal would have a major impact upon the area occupied by Ludmilla Primary School which was destined to grow due to the NT Government's own densification planning policy, and the new residntial development on the RAAF Base.
4. A new road access would needed crossing the Ludmilla Creek Catchment from Nemarluk Drive, in conflict with current expert Flood Mitigation Planning, and the dedicted work of the Ludmilla Creek Landcare Group.
5. An assertion by Minister Tollner that a huge parking shortfall could be met on the nearby racecourse was publicly and strongly rejected by the Darwin Turf Club.
6. The $20 million allocated for the redevelopment was for the actual 'stadium footprint', and any supporting costs would be additional.
7. The Stadium is not now central to the Darwin population, all parts of Greater Darwin having grown since the stadium was placed in Ludmilla. Marrar or Berrimah, or even Humpty Doo might now be more appropriate.
8. The confused references by Minister to the redevelopment on the one hand as a football stadium, or as a general events stadium, and refernces to the Parramatta Eels. this raised questions about the viability of the stadium for one purpose or the other/
9. The noise, light, congestion and and parking impacts of a large stadium on nearby residents who had invested in their homes. Sound and lighting baffling would present great additional cost, when compared with a Marrara location.

Given these issues, the community is pleased that the proposal has been withdrawn.

There is still concern, however that the NT Government may pursue another crown land location near Central Darwin, stating a need for proximity to hotel accommodation. Sports Minister Higgins is now reminded that there is hotel accommodation at the Darwin International Airport, right next to the Marrara Sportsgrounds.