Anzac Oval is back in play in Alice Springs with the rugby goal posts returned and reinstated for use ahead of the 2025 rugby season.
Territory construction company BluePrint (NT) is delivering the works to restore Anzac Oval, which include:
Ground levelling, grass repairs, installing irrigation and laying turf. These works are largely complete with additional topsoil in place and on-going monitoring to ensure the field is ready for more goals at the start of the 2025 rugby season at the end of February.Installing a new electronic scoreboard with works commencing as the 2025 season kicks off.Repairs to the club house facility including re-establishing removed services such as security and lighting controllers, graffiti removal, repairs to damage and painting. These works will continue and be completed in conjunction with the playing season.
"Our CLP Government made a promise to the people of Alice Springs we would save Anzac Oval and return for community use and that's exactly what we're doing," said Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
"Towering 17 metres high, these goal posts stand tall as a symbol of how our CLP Government is listening and delivering for the people of Alice Springs."
Works to restore Anzac Oval form part of a wider Infrastructure Plan announced by the Finocchiaro CLP Government late last year, which aims to improve community safety and enhance the liveability and lifestyle for the people and visitors of Alice Springs.
Projects in the Infrastructure Plan respond to this commitment and focus on three key areas:
Improved sporting infrastructure - prioritising children and supporting community well-being.Infrastructure to enhance community liveability and lifestyle.Tourism infrastructure to support economic growth and rebuild our economy.
Member for Namatjira, and Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan MLA, said the infrastructure projects were fundamental to unlocking improved social and economic outcomes for Alice Springs.
"Our government made a commitment to rebuild the reputation of Alice Springs following eight years under the previous Labor Government and make Alice Springs once again a great place to live, work, invest and raise families," said Mr Yan.
"We are delivering for Alice Springs, and we continue to progress these projects with priority."
The progress of Anzac Oval is complemented by other initiatives currently underway including the funding allocation to provide the community with free pool access, which has delivered a 40% increase in attendees compared to the previous period, and the construction and delivery of a $1.8 million skate park.
A construction contract for the skate park is scheduled to be awarded soon.
"The CLP is kicking goals with our revised plan and new location which will save Anzac Oval and deliver the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia (ATSIAGA) with an exhibition floor space of 1250 sqm, just 50 sqm difference to Labor's which was double the price and destroyed our much-loved oval," said Mr Yan.
