New rugby facilities in Alice Springs could host representative games and usher in a women’s competition

A new home for rugby in the Red Centre could be up and running inside two years, the chief executive of NT Rugby Union says.

A new home for rugby in the Red Centre could be up and running inside two years, the chief executive of a NT peak sporting body says.

NT Rugby Union chief executive Shane Sullivan said both rugby codes should be excited with the Territory Government announcing earlier this month it would build a multipurpose community precinct within the Kilgariff Estate in Alice Springs, providing a “new home” for the sport.

The government will build the National Aboriginal Art Gallery at the existing home of nine local rugby teams, Anzac Oval, after the land was compulsorily acquired.

However, the new rugby facilities will feature two playing surfaces, supporting infrastructure and green space.

Sullivan said the new facilities would allow rugby union to grow in Central Australia, host representative matches and its “City v Country” fixtures and possibly usher in a women’s competition, with a grandstand, changerooms, bar and kitchen promised.

“We think a move to the new facility will be a positive move for our sport,” Sullivan told NT News.

“It will certainly allow us to build our income, and then put that money into the development of the sport down there.

“It’s a halfway point (for state representative teams), instead them coming all the way to Darwin.

“A new facility and new grounds will give us options.”

Rugby union is expected to grow in Alice Springs through the construction of new facilities. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

He said the new ovals could be opened in time for the 2023-24 season – “it would be a bonus” – but the following season was looking more likely at this stage.

Sullivan also said the growth of the sport locally would tie in nicely with the expansion of Alice Springs at Kilgariff.

“New housing, new facilities, new infrastructure will be great for the sport as well,” he said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said earlier this month the next stage of the Kilgariff land release would be brought forward, including an additional 350 residential lots to go to market in 2023.

However, most importantly, art gallery works would not impede on either the union or league seasons, with the rugby facility to be built in conjunction with the gallery at Anzac Oval.

“Both sports will be able to continue to play their seasons while the art gallery will be built,” he said.

“There will be no crossover, we won’t lose a season.”

Sullivan said four local union clubs currently used the “ageing” facilities at Anzac Oval, which includes an oval, two changerooms, a small bar, canteen and a viewing platform.

“They’re not bad, but it’s limited space and ageing,” he said.

Both codes will walk alongside the government to produce design plans.

NRLNT was contacted for comment.

Tender awarded for National Aboriginal Art Gallery

THE NT government has handed over the multimillion-dollar design tender for the National Aboriginal Art Gallery to an award-winning Sydney-based architecture firm.

BVN Architecture will receive $7.175m in taxpayers’ money to design the controversial gallery, and will work with Alice Springs-based architects Susan Dugdale & Associates (SDA) to provide “local expertise”.

It comes one week after the Chief Minister and several members of his cabinet travelled to Alice Springs to announce the compulsorily acquisition of the Anzac Oval site was in its final stages, more than five years after the gallery project was first announced. “The National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be an iconic example of architectural excellence that will be the jewel in Mparntwe’s (Alice Springs’) crown,” Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chansey Paech said.

The $150m National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be built in the Alice Springs CBD on the controversial Anzac Oval precinct. Picture: Supplied.

“BVN Architecture and SDA possess the flair and experience to deliver an innovative, exciting design that reflects the natural, spectacular beauty unique to our home here in the heart of Australia.

“The gallery will celebrate Aboriginal art and showcase its cultural significance and beauty to domestic and international audiences. Much like experiencing Uluru, experiencing the gallery will be a must for all visitors to Central Australia.”

An NT government spokesman said the design is expected to be finalised by late-2023, with stakeholder and community input central to the process.

Since its inception, the $150m project has been marred by disputes over its location, with the matter heard before the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal last year. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

Anzac Oval acquisition in final stages

THE NT government is in the final stages of acquiring the controversial Anzac Oval site for the National Aboriginal Art Gallery, more than five years after the project was first announced.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and four cabinet ministers visited Alice Springs on Friday to provide an update on the $150m project, which will also include a water play park and a new Tourism Central Australia office.

With construction set to commence late next year, the NT government is still yet to secure $100m in funding from the Commonwealth, saying it will go it alone if the project isn’t backed.

“We’re not going to let the National Aboriginal Art Gallery be at risk if the Australian government doesn’t come to the table,” Mr Gunner said.

He also announced the next stage of the Kilgariff land release would be brought forward, including an additional 350 residential lots to go to market in 2023.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner dubbed the National Aboriginal Art Gallery project the “largest investment seen in Alice Springs this century”. Picture: Lee Robinson

Meanwhile, two new sports fields will be built in Kilgariff, providing a new home for Alice Springs rugby players after it was announced they would be displaced from their grounds at Anzac Oval.

First announced in 2017, the art gallery has incensed some locals, including traditional owners, who opposed using the Anzac Oval site.

The matter went to the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which scolded the government for failing to adequately consult with Traditional Owners.

Earlier this year, it was revealed the Alice Springs Town Council would end its legal fight against the acquisition of the council-owned land, opening to the door for the NT government to take over the area.

Mr Gunner on Friday said he and Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler had held further discussions with Traditional Owners about the project.

“A significant amount of work has been done with TOs over the journey,” he said.

“Not always unanimous, I recognise that, but incredible, positive support often all the way through.

“Even more work will happen now, particularly around design.”

Central Australia Reconstruction Minister Chansey Paech said the design and building phase of the project would take “cultural considerations” into account.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson said the town will benefit from the significant investment. Picture: Lee Robinson.

“The design tender (will make) sure that there are appropriate buffer zones between Anzac Hill and the precinct so that we do memorialise and commemorate the importance of that place,” he said.

“We will continue to work with national institutions and galleries and stakeholders around how this gallery should look, how it will work, and how it will bring people together to celebrate the amazing contributions that First Nations people make right across this country.”

Construction of the gallery is expected to be completed in 2025.

It is understood the NT government will pay the town council about $3.65m to compulsorily acquire the Anzac Oval site as part of the project.

Mr Gunner dubbed the project the “largest investment seen in Alice Springs this century”.

Originally published as New rugby facilities in Alice Springs could host representative games and usher in a women’s competition