Few details on Katherine's promised community centre

A NT Government spokeswoman said yesterday the $250,000 promised pre-election by successful Labor candidate Sandra Nelson was handed over to Katherine Town Council last year.

The council has also allocated $100,000 to the project.

Katherine’s new community centre has been identified as an extension of the Katherine Don Dale sports pavilion.

Ms Nelson and Mayor Fay Miller on July 19 jointly announced a revamp of the Don Dale pavilion at the Sportsground with $4.4 million towards building the long-awaited community centre.

The Katherine Times has failed to discover many further details of the spending and the actual project since that time.

There have been suggestions the existing centre would be demolished and rebuilt to include a space for a community centre.

At the July announcement, Ms Nelson said new toilet facilities would be part of the project.

“The funding will upgrade and improve facilities at the Don Dale Pavilion at the Katherine Sports ground, to enable the facilities to be used by sporting and community groups,” a government spokeswoman said.

Mayor Miller said the community centre should be built by 2020.

The government spokeswoman yesterday said the project had been handed over to the council and “ask them about it”.

“Katherine Town Council will determine how best to utilise the funds to provide the best outcome for the Katherine community,” the spokeswoman said.

Katherine Times is seeking comment from Katherine Town Council.

Ms Nelson went to the election promising voters a new community centre.

She had identified the abandoned Sports and Recreation Club building in Giles Street as the likely new home for the centre.

After taking government, it was found the building was unsuitable and there was then suggestions a building may be leased.