Bagot Park back on council’s agenda as $13.4m masterplan progresses

A multimillion-dollar redevelopment of one of Darwin’s most contested public parks is moving forward. See what it includes.

Bagot Park is back on the agenda as the City of Darwin moves to progress a multimillion-dollar revamp of the recreational area.

The council has endorsed a 10-year masterplan that aims to improve the park’s sporting and community facilities, footpaths, tree canopy and car parks.

Upgrades to the Bagot Park velodrome is also under way as part of the $13.4m redevelopment, but to the dismay of local cyclists, it will not become a competition track.

A community recreation hub including seniors’ exercise equipment, children’s nature play, barbecues, picnic tables and bubblers is another key feature of the masterplan.

As the home ground for Mindil Aces Football Club, new female change rooms will also be built with the support of Football NT.

In Tuesday’s general meeting councillors voted to allocate more than $515,000 in federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure funding towards shared paths in the park.

“Bagot Park is well linked to existing shared paths along McMillans Rd and Bagot Rd,” the masterplan documents state.

“These two routes provide convenient cycle access to the northern … and inner suburbs of Darwin.

A key feature of the Bagot Park masterplan is to improve the area’s shared footpaths. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The path running along Bagot Rd within (the park) is a poor quality bitumen path and is approximately 1.4m (in) width.

“The path running within the Old McMillans Rd easement and linking through to Sabine Road is 1.2m wide and is a combination of bitumen and concrete.

“Adjacent to the car park area it is in very poor condition and is often obstructed by parked cars as well as soil and debris covering it.

Bagot Park Velodrome. Picture: Helen Orr.

“It is desirable that these park perimeter paths should all be good quality shared paths and a minimum width of 2.5m and preferably 3.0m.”

Two years ago, Cycling NT handed back $10.5m to the NT government after plans to redevelop the velodrome fell through.

Motorcyclist Jim Dowsett prepares to race at the Bagot Park Speedway in 1978.

The cycling club labelled the City of Darwin’s plan a “glorified skate park” rather than a purpose-built facility.

Bagot Park was originally a gravel pit that supplied material for the development of Millner and to stabilise Rapid Creek Road.

In 1960 the gravel pit was developed as a flat track circuit by the Darwin Motorcycle Club and was officially opened as Bagot Park Speedway in 1966.

The speedway closed in 1981 but it has undergone several surface upgrades.

Originally published as Bagot Park back on council’s agenda as $13.4m masterplan progresses