The Finocchiaro CLP Government delivering on election commitments to improve community infrastructure in Darwin's northern suburbs.
The $1.5 million investment for a lighting upgrade at Wanguri Oval will extend playing hours and boost grassroots participation for soccer, cricket, and recreational sports.
The $1.1 million investment will deliver the Nakara Oval Masterplan to support premier sporting and community facilities, improving the precinct's safety, accessibility, and overall utility for the community.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on two election commitments to restore the Territory lifestyle, announcing significant funding and planning upgrades for two key community ovals in Darwin's northern suburbs.
Minister for People, Sport and Culture, Jinson Charls, said the announcement of these two priority projects marks another major milestone for the CLP Government.
"These upgrades ensure Territorians, not only in the northern suburbs but across wider Darwin, have vastly improved spaces and facilities to play sport," Minister Charls said.
"This investment is about ensuring our youth have the right environments to stay active, engaged, and healthy. We are focused on upgrading and improving sports and recreation facilities that increase participation across all ages and abilities."
To meet current and emerging community needs, the CLP Government has committed $1.5 million in funding towards a lighting upgrade at Wanguri Oval.
This funding is directly targeted at improving grassroots sporting infrastructure, encouraging higher community participation under lights with soccer, cricket and other recreational sports benefitting.
Member for Wanguri, Oly Carlson shared:
"Upgrading Wanguri Oval is a major win for local families and sporting clubs, providing a safer, more accessible space for the community to come together and stay active.
"The lighting upgrade will extend playing hours and allow more people to participate, whether it's junior sport, training, or community events," she said.
President of Casuarina Football Club Scott Piper acknowledges this is an important step forward for the club and wider community.
"These upgrades will provide more flexible training opportunities and improve the overall experience for our members while support continued growth and participation for our club and football in the Northern Suburbs."
NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said the upgrade will support the strong growth of cricket in Darwin and enable more games to be played at flexible times, including under lights.
"Cricket in Darwin has never been more popular, highlighted by incredible growth across our multicultural and women and girls communities.
"This is a fantastic investment in community sporting infrastructure, and it's going to make a real difference in our ability to schedule more fixtures and at more flexible times of the day."
The Nakara Oval will also undergo development, with $1.1 million committed to delivering upgraded sporting and community facilities. The masterplan sets out a vision to enhance accessibility, safety and overall community use of the precinct, providing significant benefits to Azzurri United Football Club.
Member for Casuarina, Khoda Patel shared:
"The Nakara Oval Masterplan sets a strong vision for the future of this important community space, improving accessibility, safety and overall amenity for local residents.
"These upgrades will ensure the precinct can support growing demand, while creating a welcoming environment for sport, recreation and community use," he said.
President of Azzurri United Football Club, John Kassaras, said the long‑awaited Nakara Oval upgrade is an exciting milestone for the club and broader community.
"These upgrades will facilitate Azzurri United FC and other sporting groups a growth in grassroots sports in the community which, particularly for the universal appeal of football, helps promote social inclusion through sport and in-turn underpins a strong sense of community across our city."
The funding will be provided as dedicated grant to the City of Darwin with both ovals falling under City of Darwin jurisdiction.
The CLP Government continues to deliver on its promise to support local sporting clubs, enhance community safety, and revitalise the unique Territory lifestyle.
