Richardson Park will have rugby league field: Minister Eva Lawler

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Eva Lawler has refuted rumours in the rugby league community that plans to redevelop the spiritual home of the code have been scrapped.

A Territory icon: South Darwin's centre, Col Elliot, looks for somewhere to go as RSL defenders, Kerry Saddler (left) and Ross Keogh close in on him during a rugby league match held at Richardson Park in 1982.

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Eva Lawler has refuted rumours in the rugby league community that plans to redevelop the spiritual home of the code have been scrapped.

Club officials from the Nightcliff Dragons and Brothers met with Ms Lawler two weeks ago where they claim the Minister backed away from a $2.9 million redevelopment of Ludmilla’s iconic rugby league venue Richardson Park.

The meeting was called after two architectural reports — one commissioned by the government the other by the two clubs — were prepared to determine if the site’s buildings were fit to be redeveloped.

The reports returned conflicting findings over the buildings suitability to be redeveloped.

They also claimed in the meeting that Ms Lawler would not confirm that a rugby league field would be part of the redevelopment.

The clubs, backed by Darwin businessmen, had put together a proposal to government to revamp Richardson Park, self-maintain the facility and build a men’s shed.

The derelict state of Richardson Park now.

Ex-Nightcliff Dragons president Stem Edwards said the clubs were shocked to hear a rugby league field would not be part of the redevelopment plans.

“Richardson Park has been the home of rugby league and is a Territory icon,” he said.

“Some of the games greats have played here and said it’s the best little provincial ground in Australia.”

Mr Edwards said the decision meant Darwin Brothers — the oldest rugby league club in the NT — and Nightcliff might soon have to fold with no home ground from which to generate revenue.

“We’ll probably lose these clubs with no access to any home ground — it’s a farce” he said,

However, Ms Lawler denied the Government had scrapped the plans and confirmed the redevelopment would take place.

“The Territory Government has not backed away from funding for Richardson Park and will work with the community on providing a great community space” she said.

“The government will provide a community oval with change rooms at Richardson Park that will benefit rugby and the broader community — this work will create many local jobs.

“There will also be a new road near Richardson Park to facilitate safer and more efficient access to Ludmilla Primary School.”

IN OTHER NEWS

The drama is the latest in the Richardson Park saga, wit the grounds future clouded since the government approved the $25 million Warren Park stadium project at Marrara in January 2018.

However, the three-field facility, dubbed the new “home for Territory rugby league”, remains unsupported by five NRL NT clubs.

In 2015, the then CLP Government pledged $20 million to redevelop Richardson Park, but the plan was abandoned after it was criticised for being short on detail and lacking consultation with the community and other codes.