Southern Districts receives Territory government investment at Norbuilt Oval
The NT government has committed to a $1m investment to install lights at a Top End oval as part of a wider multimillion set of sporting upgrades at the Freds Pass Reserve. Read what’s happening.
Northern Territory
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The NT government has committed to a $1m investment to install lights at a Top End oval as part of a wider multimillion set of sporting upgrades at the Freds Pass Reserve.
Southern Districts Football Club’s home of Norbuilt Oval will have new lighting to allow for night games and training for more than 600 players.
The initiative will allow the club to host home games at night out of the heat of day and get prime time games in line with other NTFL clubs.
The Crocs conquered the Men’s Premier League in the recently finished 2024-25 season to claim their fourth flag, but it isn’t just their senior sides finding success.
Districts had three other premierships to celebrate this season and have a huge player base to work with, 80 per cent of which is under 18.
The club has worked hard with landowners Litchfield Council to ensure the project is integrated into the broader plans at Freds Pass following $10m in funding from the Australian government.
Those projects include $6m in lighting and electrical upgrades across several players grounds and $4m for a new multi-court netball facility.
Construction for those works, supported under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program, will start this year and are expected to be completed by June 2026.
Southern Districts Football Club president Kevin Mulvahil said the lights were a fantastic step forward for the club and growing community.
“Having lights at Norbuilt Oval means more flexibility for training, more evening games, and better access for families,” he said.
“It supports our junior development, our women’s teams, and ensures all our players, from the Aus Kick to the Premier League, have the facilities they deserve.”
People, Sport and Culture minister Jinson Charls said he was thrilled another sporting facility would have the capacity to play under lights.
The Norbuilt Oval lighting upgrade was an election promise from the CLP to provide better facilities at local and community sporting grounds.
“This is about more than just fulfilling an election commitment, it’s about investing in the health, wellbeing and future of our kids,” Mr Charls said.
“These lights will allow families to enjoy footy together in the cooler hours, and it’s another step forward in improving sporting infrastructure across the Territory.”
Litchfield Council CEO Stephen Hoyne said this project was a great example of what could be achieved when all levels of government worked together.
“The collaboration between Council, the Northern Territory Government, and the Australian Government is delivering real results for local families, clubs and volunteers.
“It’s especially great for our rural community, which deserves access to quality sporting facilities close to home.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Member for Nelson Gerard Maley said the upgrades would help the club to continue to grow.
“As a proud local, I know how important Freds Pass Reserve and the Southern Districts Football Club are to families right across the rural area,” he said.
“This lighting upgrade is a great win for our community. It means more people can enjoy this fantastic facility, especially in the evenings when it’s cooler.
“The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing the rural area, backing families, and making sure rural clubs like Crocs continue to thrive.”
Member for Goyder Andrew Mackay was another pleased with the development, calling it a win for rural communities.
“Playing under lights brings new opportunities for our men, women, boys and girls to train and compete in cooler, more flexible hours,” he said.
“I’m proud to be part of a government delivering for Territorians, especially for those living in the rural area.”
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Originally published as Southern Districts receives Territory government investment at Norbuilt Oval
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