Ambitious plans for new 25,000-capacity Darwin Stadium
AFLNT has revealed plans for a new $300 million sports stadium to be built on the edge of Darwin’s CBD, with views of Frances Bay and Darwin Harbour.
The ambitious plans would see a new 25,000-seat multi-sport stadium built on the old Shell fuel depot on the intersection of Garramilla Boulevard and McMinn Street, becoming the centrepiece of the city skyline.
As revealed by NT News, the 10-year plan to construct the new entertainment precinct, which will include an onsite hotel, is part of the governing body’s plan to secure an AFL franchise for the Territory.
The project has received early support, with AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden gained in-principal support from the Darwin major business group, Chamber of Commerce and Australian Hotels Association of the NT.
TIO Stadium is the current home of footy in Darwin, located about 11km from the heart of the city within the Marrara sporting precinct. Opened in 1991, the 12,500-capacity venue currently hosts one AFL game and one NRL game per season – with the Gold Coast Suns and Parramatta Eels having agreements with the NT Government to play home games at the venue.
While stadium renders are yet to be produced, the AFLNT says the design would be based on Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium – the new home of NRL team North Queensland Cowboys.
Bowden said costings and where the money will come from would happen in the first half of 2021.
He also said their vision for the stadium also includes Southeast Asia and India for events like the Indian Premier League, their under-23 cricket league and soccer throughout Asia.
Bowden does not want to get left behind regional centres like Townsville, Cairns and even Rockhampton, who are also planning to build a major stadium.
