2019 has been a big year for sport, with new community sports facilities coming on line across the Territory, the Arafura Games coming back and some incredible sporting moments played out on the field.
Sport plays a huge role in the lives of many Territorians and investing in our sporting facilities is an investment in our communities.
That’s why the Territory Labor Government continues to back in community sports with an unprecedented level of investment that aims to enhance the playing experience for Territorians as well as encourage greater participation.
Sporting Infrastructure Highlights
The Marrara Sporting Precinct has seen a $57 million job-creating regeneration under this Government including:
- The new $25 million ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ of Rugby League
- The new $18 million Darwin Indoor Netball Stadium, delivered in partnership with the Federal Government
- Resurfacing of the main pitch and improved lighting at the Hockey Stadium
- New facilities for women and girls including new soccer change rooms and new change rooms at TIO Oval 2.
Over at Hidden Valley, the new $6 million Motorsports House project provided jobs during construction and a much-needed state-of-the-art hub for Motorsports NT and its affiliate clubs.
Across the Territory, motorsports facilities have benefited from upgrades worth $7 million including speedway enhancements in Tennant Creek, upgrades to Katherine speedway, lighting for Top End Moto Cross in Palmerston and lighting upgrades for Hidden Valley Drags.
We know how much Territorians love playing sport in the cooler evenings which is why we are creating jobs and installing lights worth $9 Million at the Marrara Cricket Ground, Palmerston CDU Oval 2, Gardens, Bagot and Nightcliff ovals and Albrecht Oval in Alice Springs.
We promised $12 million as an election commitment towards community sports upgrades in remote communities. Many of these projects have been completed, with upgraded facilities delivered in Eliott, Galiwinku, Miligimbi, Gapuwiyak, Barunga, Ngukurr and Nauiyu communities and a further eight underway.
In Alice Springs, we have delivered $6.2 million on projects identified as priorities by the community, including upgrades at Jim McConville Oval and Flynn Drive Oval that will allow the multiple user groups to grow their participation and encourage more juniors, women and girls to get involved.
In Tennant Creek, a $9 million upgrade to sport and recreation facilities at Purkiss Reserve is underway while Katherine residents will benefit from a $2 million upgrade to the showgrounds, as well as a $4 million investment in enhancements to the sportsground.
Bringing Back the Arafura Games
The return of the Arafura Games this year was a fantastic success due to the passionate contributions of our sporting community who worked hard to make the Games such a great event for locals and visitors alike. Planning is well underway for the 2021 Arafura Games, with local sports again getting behind the event.
We are proud to be the Government that brought the Arafura Games back.
Sports Voucher Scheme
The Territory Labor Government continues to support children and young people to get involved in sport and other recreational activities and ease the financial burden for families through the Sports Voucher Scheme. Thousands of Territory families benefit from the vouchers every semester which helps to keep participation numbers strong for sports organisations throughout the Territory.
As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Lauren Moss:
“Participation in sport creates healthier, happier, more resilient communities and that’s why the Territory Labor Government has invested and delivered an unprecedented level of new and upgraded sporting infrastructure across the NT.
“We know how important sport is to Territorians and we want to ensure they have access to high quality sporting facilities. Our track record in delivering sporting infrastructure is a game changer for kids in junior sport right up to the elite levels, and enables us to host international quality events like the Arafura Games.
“We want to see more Territorians participate in sport to improve health and well-being outcomes and open up more opportunities for junior and female participation by investing in projects such as oval lights and improving amenities.
“Ongoing programs like the Urban Sport Voucher Scheme continues to help families ease the burden with the cost of organised sport, recreation and cultural activities which can be expensive.”
