‘First we’ve heard of it’: School shock as NT Government plans to take part of its oval

Govt accused of swinging a wrecking ball through Ludmilla Primary School playground to redevelop Richardson Park

Part of the tendered plan for the Richardson Park upgrade. Picture: Supplied

SPORTS Minister Gary Higgins has been accused of swinging a wrecking ball through Ludmilla Primary School’s playground for the sake of building a training pitch at the revamped Richardson Park.

As revealed on the NT News website on Friday afternoon, Mr Higgins announced the tender process had opened for the $20 million upgrade to Richardson Park.

Sporting bodies consulted included NRL, NRL NT, Touch NT, NT Rugby Union, Football Federation NT and AFL NT.

But Ludmilla School Council chairwoman Natalie Gibbs said the first the school knew of Mr Higgins’ plan to absorb a 30m strip of the school’s oval into the Government’s upgrade was a phone call to principal Di Wood on Friday afternoon, just minutes before the details of the upgrades were revealed on the NT News website.

“There has been no consultation with Ludmilla Primary School about this redevelopment,’’ Ms Gibbs said.

News_Image_File: Preliminary concepts of the Richardson Park redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

She said she feared the decision to move the school’s fence was now final, given the tender for Richardson Park had been made public.

Ms Gibbs, who has three children at the school, said the concept drawings released on Friday afternoon by Mr Higgins would involve demolishing an almost brand-new playground, and taking away nearly all of the school oval.

“This is a playground area that the children use on a daily basis for free play and games, a vital component in every child’s school day,” she said.

“This is not something that was ever raised with the school and not something that we would ever have envisaged.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Higgins agreed the school community “should have been informed” earlier.

“We apologise for the lack of communication in that respect – they have every right to be upset about not being ­informed about the tender ­release,’’ she said.

The spokeswoman said “better communication avenues” would be put in place to ensure the school was informed before announcements being made on the project in the future.

“Discussions between the departments of Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation and Education will continue around the issue. It’s important to note, the school would be able to use the second oval – they don’t lose a facility, they will share in an upgraded one,’’ she said.

The spokeswoman said the Government would aim to achieve the best outcomes for everyone.

“The tender process is just one step and the concept plans are just that – concepts,’’ she said. “We will work on solutions regarding the design which are suitable for the facility and the community.”

Ms Gibbs also expressed concern about a proposed pedestrian link to public transport on Bagot Rd, saying it would likely cut through the school.

A meeting yesterday at the school drew a number of concerned families and an Department of Education official.

Tenders for the project close in five weeks, with a builder likely to be announced shortly after.