CRICKET’S governing body has asked Darwin city council to install stronger lights at Gardens Oval to allow the sport to be played at the venue at night.
The council voted to install 300 lux lights at the city venue at its last meetings but the nation’s summer sport would be unable to be played at night unless lights with a strength of 500 lux were installed.
Letters from Cricket Australia, NT Cricket, Pints Cricket Club and the NT Government to install the 500 lux lights were put to the council.
NT Cricket chief executive Joel Morrison said the cricket community was desperate for the access to lighting.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The local cricket community desperately needs sufficient lighting at Gardens Oval, so we’d like to see council amend their decision and proceed with the original proposal of installing 500 lux lights,” he said.
“We’ve tabled a solution that would allow lights to be built to a capacity of 500 lux, but requires cricket to seek seasonal approval from council to use the lights at this level.
“We feel this is a fair compromise as it provides council with an ongoing level of control to balance the community benefits with the concerns raised by a small number of residents.”
Alderman Emma Young said she would be bringing a motion to the council as she thought the decision was made without consulting the right people.
“Two weeks ago at the Karama library when the decision was made to only go to 300 lights, the recommendation from staff was to go 500 lux … but we didn’t have the opportunity to discuss the recommendations of staff,” she said.
“That decision was made without any discussion with NT Cricket or (NTFL) and we really should be having the debate with them.”
Ms Young said they needed to use the opportunity provided by the NT Government.
“If we don’t go to the 500 lux then we are missing major infrastructure usage in the future and when the lights are put up you can restrict the level the lights are at,” she said.
“We have a unique opportunity with the Northern Territory Government giving us funding to be able to do this, and it’s really key for me for us to be able to do it properly.”
“I do understand some of the community’s concerns and the concerns of other aldermen, but I think there’s a way forward to suit all stakeholders,” she said.