Darwin council still invested in upgrading Darwin velodrome despite lack of community support

DARWIN council remains committed to providing upgrades to the Darwin Velodrome at Bagot Park, despite $10.5 million allocated to the project being returned to the government last month

DARWIN council remains committed to providing upgrades to the Darwin Velodrome at Bagot Park, despite $10.5m allocated from the NT Government being returned last month.

NT Cycling returned the money because the Darwin cycling community’s vision didn’t align with council’s plans for the project.

Council had taken over management of the project.

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Acting lord mayor Mick Palmer said council needed clarity over how much money they had to play with and what the needs and wants of the community were before plans could be made, but council was committed to delivering upgrades to the facility.

“We need to talk to the NTG about the funding and need to get some clarify over the scope of the project,” he said.

“The project only ever was a 250 metre concrete velodrome - council’s had no indication from the government other than the original scope for the project that was put out for consultation.”

Mr Palmer said the facility would be beneficial to the cycling community on a base level but needed to serve a purpose for all members of the Darwin and wider community.

“Council obviously want a community facility that the community can use and not just something for a group of elite athletes,” he said.

“I understand high bank timber banks (which were part of one of the designs before funding was withdrawn) require a level of skill in excess of what you’d expect your regular community bike rider to possess.”

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The council report noted that with funding, a very good club track could be delivered but it would not meet national competition standards, which the cycling community wanted.

The Friends of Bagot community group want the park maintained as green space.