A business case for a new AFL team based in the Northern Territory has been released, with the promise of wide-ranging benefits. But the scheme will come at a huge cost, with recommendations the federal government contribute towards a new stadium in Darwin’s CBD.
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00:00Home to some of the country's greatest footy players, now the Territory wants to give them
00:06a home ground.
00:08The latest step towards a Northern Territory AFL team.
00:12With the announcement and the release of the strategic business case.
00:16A task force putting forward a decade long timeline for an NT team and bolstering plans
00:21for a sparkling new stadium in Darwin's CBD.
00:25It shows that socially, economically, culturally this team works for the Northern Territory
00:30and it'll work for the nation.
00:32This will complete the AFL.
00:36With the Tasmanian Devils joining the AFL in 2028, the NT is lining up to punt for the
00:41Code's 20th team licence.
00:43I'd be confident that we would be close to Tasmania when they join.
00:48But it will come with a cost.
00:50The business case calling for a new stadium near Darwin's CBD with an estimated price
00:55tag of over $700 million.
00:58It recommends asking the federal government to help pay for it, saying a Territory AFL
01:03side will boost the economy by $116 million and create 160 ongoing jobs.
01:11We've seen what having world class sporting facilities in the CBD has done to other jurisdictions,
01:18the MCG, Adelaide Oval, they really have been an enabler for the local community and
01:24that feeds into local business.
01:26We dare to dream in the Northern Territory, we dare to think big.
01:29And the Chief Minister promoting the power of footy to elevate communities out of poverty.
01:34It is about providing that dream for our young kids.
01:37The plan is ambitious, but the Territory is no stranger to big ideas falling flat.
01:43Debate around the cost of Hobart's AFL stadium could also be mirrored here with the Territory's
01:48struggling health system and high rates of disadvantage.
01:51It looks likely that victory for those backing a top end team will be only guaranteed at
01:56the opening bounce.