Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

I strongly disagree with the project progressing as it is a massive over development of the sight and a ridiculous loss of green space provided by the two parks. Given the planned increase in population density in the Broadmeadow precinct these two parks and the green space they provide to the community makes the development a complete nonsense. The range of possible activities that can take place in the park area greatly exceeds those provided by a basketball stadium /sports stadium. Once the parks disappear, they can never be replaced. The whole stadium project lacks common sense. In this day and age most people appreciate open green parks.

The proposal for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre raises significant concerns for our community. Replacing the current grass ground, which serves as an essential space for outdoor sports like football, rugby, and cricket, will strip the neighbourhood of one of its few remaining green areas for sports and leisure. This change not only limits outdoor recreational opportunities but also brings the likelihood of increased traffic congestion in our local streets, leading to greater noise and air pollution. The influx of vehicles and loss of green space will adversely impact the quality of life for residents, diminishing the neighbourhood's appeal and environmental health. We urge decision-makers to consider these negative impacts and prioritise preserving our valuable outdoor space for community wellbeing.

I object to this project. I have concerns about the location. Turton Road is a major arterial road. Before any serious consideration is given an up to date traffic study needs to be undertaken.
The current basketball stadium is located close to a train station and a much quieter location. There is off street parking and much less busy roads/streets.
My other concerns include the ongoing issues we have with heavy rain and the drainage system.
The congestion and ongoing noise created in what is presently a residential area.
The proposal will take away Lambton High School green space, playing fields and emergency meeting area.
I suggest that another location eg near Glendale athletics be considered.

Attached is my submission against the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre to be located on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals.

How have you been impacted by the outdated indoor sports facilities in our region?
The basketball facilities in Newcastle are an embarrassment. We have been leaked on, slipped over, sweated in over 40 degree temperatures (inside!). We have had to drive all over Newcastle and surrounding areas at all hours of the night to get kids between the ages of 10-15 to their regular weekly games. Sometimes, young kids are getting home after 10pm on a weeknight because the facilities aren’t big enough and we are forced out of town.
What benefits do you think the new facility could bring to you or your family?
With one location and ample parking or proper public transport links, keeping our kids in their favourite sport would be so much easier. They could train more, on safe courts and there would be less injuries. The falcons would have somewhere to host games, bringing us much closer to the likelihood of them making it back into the national competition and therefore bringing Newcastle some more sport tourism opportunities.

I object to the project for many reasons:
- lack of community consultation
- Loss of integral green space
- wrong location for the development as it should remain in the Broadmeadow Precinct
- Negative Impact on Lambton High School and its community
-Negative Impact on Other sporting associations which use the ovals as there home ground
- Concerns over the budget and lack of funds to build the full project
- Increased flood risk to local residents and roadways
- Poor traffic management causing potential traffic jams, parking issues, and a higher incidence of accidents in an area already over traffic capacity.
-misleading name.

All of these concerns/objections are addressed in the attached document.

The construction of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre would not only benefit the residents of the Hunter Region, but it would also benefit basketball players from around the state and country. The lack of suitable facilities to host major national and international events in NSW means that our members miss out on the opportunity to compete in local venues, and only adds to the cost of playing the sport. The presence of this type of venue in the state will open up so many opportunities for visitors to come to your region and contribute to your local economy.

The challenge of managing outdated and unfit for purpose venues is known only too well by this association, and we support Newcastle Basketball’s application to construct the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre because it is an investment needed across the state. Our association regularly turns away people that want to play the great game of basketball, whilst also having to juggle significant demand from other user groups which means inevitably someone is denied the opportunity to participate in their chosen sport or pastime. This investment is greatly needed for the Newcastle region, and should be considered a positive step in addressing the chronic shortage of indoor sports facilities.

The Illawarra Basketball association and it’s members support Newcastle Basketball Association’s application to construct the new Hunter Indoor Sports Centre as we have teams and athletes that regularly visit their current facility in Broadmeadow and we believe it is outdated, no longer fit for purpose and in desperate need of being replaced. Our members who compete against Newcastle Basketball have experienced first-hand the impacts of the current stadiums limitations and risks, and we would be very supportive of their application to construct a new facility.

I object to the proposed development due to the impact I, and neighbouring residents, will be adversely affected by increased traffic, loss of our local greenspace amenity and associated noise.

A transport traffic analysis has been undertaken using SIDRA, however, while the resulting Traffic Impact Statement has acknowledged that traffic will be drawn from all directions.
Table 4.3 identifies the assessment has incorrectly assumed all traffic flow from the south will enter the development via Turton Road. My considerable understanding of local traffic flow identifies Lambton Rd to Wallarah Rd as being a more often utilised route to the site so traffic can avoid further congestion at Turton Rd. This intersection (Lambton/Wallarah Roads), is regularly congested during weekdays after 4pm, the time when HISC has identified as peak usage of their site. Numerous traffic incidents have occurred at the intersection of Lambton/ Wallarah Rds, and they have not been addressed within the traffic management plan. As a result of the failure to identify this intersection and the southern section of Wallarah Rd as access/egress the development has failed to address the 10 year vehicle movement growth assessment as required.

Stage 2 of the development identifies pedestrian access from the west to the HISC from Wallarah Road, thereby encouraging patrons to use the local street network for parking instead of the purpose built, and severely capacity constrained, carpark at HISC.

The local street network becomes excessively congested during events at McDonald Jones Stadium with vehicles parked as far south as Russell Road. This local street parking congestion has increased with the introduction of the Newcastle International Hockey Centre and will be exacerbated by the inclusion of parking from the proposed HISC .

Section 3.2.3 - Landscape and Public Domain states: "The overall landscape vision for the site is to celebrate the history from its previous existence as a wetland". How can this be achieved by removing the existing open greenspace and erecting a 15m building that is to be surrounded by a concrete carpark?

The proposed development will benefit few when compared to the detrimental impact it will have on so many local residents. Venues NSW owns the site the existing basketball stadium resides on, and they should reconsider housing a new facility on their same site, or keep it contained within the area identified in the Draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy, not overflow into the residential area of New Lambton.

I am supportive of the proposal, including the requirement to have the new centre, but also supportive of the location and plan of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre/Basketball Stadium (HISC).

Location: The proposed location of the HISC is preferable and supported, given its proximity to the proposed Broadmeadow Precinct, other sporting grounds, public transport links and Newcastle's CBD. It makes sense to have it within a broader sport precinct that is planned for future years, to give the community a sense of place and also accessible.

Access for members: Basketball (recognising that other sports will also use this centre), is sorely lacking a suitable venue in Newcastle. The current stadium is highly patronised and a sport that is widely popular and cannot be played in dispersed stadiums around Newcastle/Lake Macquarie. Additionally, the proposed location for the stadium will allow for safe and equitable access for young players e.g. high school students that can access it via public transport after school. The parking proposed also appears more than sufficient given the turnaround of games and member/players movements. Newcastle basketball players deserve a central, accessible, and suitable stadium.

Other sports and current use: I understand there is strong opposition to the proposal given the location and use of the park for other sports and the school. There are many other parks, green spaces, and unused ovals/sports grounds in the Lambton suburbs that sports clubs can use. These include but not limited to, Arthur Edden Oval, Lambton Park, Kentish and Ford Ovals, Gwydir Park, Lewis Oval, Regent Park. The school has green space within the school and the current arrangement of students using the external ovals during school hours, is not suitable given the unsupervised nature of it. The school also has access to other green spaces very close by, to use by arrangement – namely Arthur Edden Oval. Additionally, the Wallarah and Blackley Ovals are under utilised at present, as a local resident who walks or drives past often, this is very apparent.

Other locations: All other locations that have been proposed by those opposed to the proposal are not suitable from a location perspective and isolated, too costly, or not actually available due to being private land. It is inconsiderate and short sighted to relocate sports to an isolated/unsuitable location that can’t be played at numerous local locations (unlike cricket, soccer etc). We require a location that is safe, equitable and accessible.

I support this project in the strongest possible terms.
The extremely comprehensive documentation forming part of the actual SSDA positively deals with all the possible issues affecting this development.
In addition the construction of this stadium will have positive onflow benefits for both the general physical wellbeing of the Newcastle population but also the economic wellbeing of the area.
I am aware of the objections being raised by a small but vocal group of local residents.All of their objections are dealt with in the supporting documentation however this group continues to ignore the responses.
Alternative sites are proposed however none of those sites are viable or available in the required timeframe.
The proposed development must proceed immediately if Newcastle is to truly move into the future and maintain its status as a major regional centre of NSW.
Thankyou

I am a Lambton resident of 23years and I object to the proposed plan to build an indoor basketball stadium in place of Wallarah Oval at Lambton. This will cause a significant disruption to the local community by way of congested traffic, loss of green space which is used for local sports including cricket and football, playground areas , evacuation point and sporting usage for Lambton Highschool. Those sporting clubs that are using the ovals now would be forced to train and play sport more than 40 minutes away which is not in their local community.
I am concerned about drainage of the area as it is a flood plain. There will not be enough car park spaces for the amount of people using the basketball stadium for training, games, tournaments , therefore overflow will go onto the streets and cause mayhem for the locals who live there . When there are sporting events or concerts on at Marathon Stadium there is not enough road infrastructure to deal with the traffic . There needs to be an alternative site for the building of the new basketball stadium in an area where there is ample room for parking, traffic flow, adequate drainage and minimising losing green ovals that is taking away our natural environment. I am saddened to think what this proposal would do to our beautiful Lambton community in which I love to be apart of. But there will be many residents like myself who will seriously consider moving out of Lambton if this was to be approved .

To Whom it May Concern,
Please see the attach document against the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals New Lambton.
Kind Regards
Kathleen Brewis

There hasn't been community consultation in this project and there are major flooding concerns, inability to meet the $90 million required and insufficient traffic/noise impact studies completed. This project needs to be relocated to a more suitable site that doesn't remove green space from the local community that will never be regained.

We write on behalf of the 670 junior members of West Basketball Club strongly urging you to consider all of the evidence that indicates New Lambton as a well-planned, and risk-mitigated location for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre.

West Basketball Club has a strong 50-year history of affiliation with Newcastle Basketball. We are a non-profit, incorporated association run completely by volunteers and we exist to provide playing opportunities in Newcastle domestic basketball competitions from children aged 7 to 17.

This year alone, we fielded 81 teams of 670 children in the Newcastle Basketball Junior Club Competition (U12-U18), and a further eight teams per term in the U8s and U10s competition (approximately 60 children each term). In recent years due to the lack of court space, we have had to turn many players away.

Regardless of your playing ability, or your circumstances, you are welcome at West Basketball. And it is more than just about taking the court as a player. Understanding the strong sense of health, community and purpose and the overall benefits that sporting participation can bring, we have worked with local schools to provide scholarships and sponsorships to children to remove financial barriers to participation in basketball. We provide junior referee and coaching opportunities and pathways, enabling our members to not only earn their first income, but further develop skills to communicate, influence, negotiate, advocate and be active and contributing members to our community. We have supported families in hardship, providing not just on court opportunities, but a strong and supportive community to be a part of. We pride ourselves in providing children and their families a sense of belonging, pride and purpose through being involved in one of the most popular junior sports in the region.

We need a new home. We strongly support the development of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre at New Lambton. We are confident that Newcastle Basketball, the project team and the specific government agencies have completed their due diligence and urge you to consider the community benefits that provide not only our basketball community with a much-needed facility but the broader Newcastle sporting community. The proposed facility provides adequate parking, and a much-improved venue with access to a facility that will benefit thousands of members of the community across multiple sports, year-round. The venue will also make much better use of the current location as climate change and heat conditions continue to impact communities with an improved flood management plan for the site. Importantly, the location keeps the stadium close to the Broadmeadow sporting precinct and the transport and accessibility required for those utilising the venue.

We strongly support the approval of this project as proposed, and urge your support to ensure there are no further delays to building a facility that is desperately needed for not only basketball, but many other sports and the broader community.

The loss of green space for a basketball stadium is poor planning. This scarce public space should be maintained as it is now. Disadvantaging growing sports like cricket and football is not acceptable. Especially as their relocation costs will then seamingly be borne by rate payers.

Recent council elections showed that the community around the site is against the project. Better urban planning within government should be done to secure Newcastle Basketball a new home without the loss of green space .

I also believe that flooding concerns have not been adequately address as they do not address the cumulative impact of the entire Broadmeadow precinct project.

It is unclear if this development is intended to be part of the broadmeadow precinct project. Given that is next door to the precinct it should be either included and delayed until that project is submitted for planning approval or rejected.

There doesn't appear to be enough parking for major events, especially when hockey, rugby league and basketball will all be holding large events on the same weekends. Given its location it is improbable that a meaningful number of people will use public transport.
Previous council submission about using MacJones stadium parking across the road is a dangerous suggestion given how busy Turton road is and how long it takes for the pedestrian cross to cycle through. Kids will be running across if Mac Jones stadium parking is used.

I'm also concerned about the improper relationship between the previous council and the proponents of this project. There has been much misinformation coming from the previous council and Newcastle Basketball about their dealings on this project prior to lodgement.

While, I don’t disagree it seems a new basketball facility is needed, especially given the traffic congestion that surrounds the existing facility during the afternoon and early evenings, I do not think this is not the right location for it, due to the concerns raised below.
Traffic congestion, parking and pedestrian safety
My concern as a local resident is the significant increase of traffic in what is an already very busy location especially during the peak period between 4 and 7pm, due to local traffic, training by other sports around the location and movement of school children. As a local bus driver, I also have concerns about increased traffic and the safety of pedestrians and school children.
This is likely to exacerbate what is already traffic chaos during events at the stadium (Knights and Jets games, concerts etc.), the high school and international hockey fields, causing considerable disruption to local residents. I have experienced this first hand walking local streets before and after these events.
Parking is already difficult in surrounding narrow streets just with cars belonging to residents, businesses and those associated with the local high school. I already have difficulty parking at my friends’ houses in these surrounding streets when there are no events on. This far worse during events at the stadium with parking stretching to into nearby suburbs, Wests Leagues Club carparks and surrounding streets, which significantly impacts residents and local businesses. I have frequently seen cars parked across people’s driveways, on corners, in no parking areas during these events, which makes it difficult to be on the road during these times and quite unsafe for pedestrians. As a local bus driver, I am also concerned the impact this parking will have on the safe manoeuvring of the bus in these constrained environments. This will only be made worse by adding an additional 2500 capacity stadium with only 250 car spaces allocated. And will be a daily event, rather than 30-40 times a year.
Loss of green space
My children currently play soccer, junior cricket and attend Lambton High School, and utilise these fields regularly. The loss of green space is not proposed to be replaced, yet the local surrounding suburbs (Broadmeadow and Adamstown) are poised to have 60,000 new homes in future.
Lambton High School will lose access to its green space that is currently leases from council. This is needed to fulfill their curriculum of sports and to support their health and wellbeing. While the stadium has indicated it would provide students with access to its courts, the school already has courts, but needs green space to play other sports like soccer, football, oztag, AFL, cricket, t-ball etc. While there is also mentioned they could use other green spaces, these are further away and would require supervision of additional teachers as they would need to cross roads. Students also use this green space for lunch and recreational time, which supports their health and wellbeing. It is also unclear what will happen to the evacuation procedures as this is currently the emergency evacuation point. Alternative locations would require crossing roads, which is not ideal for 1200 students in an emergency.
My children will also lose access to green space for cricket and soccer, moving them further away to other venues that are already heavily utilised.
Noise and disturbance
My children have expressed concern about noise impacts during construction, and the impact this may have on their learning and exams, especially HSC exams. They are also concerned about having to navigate the streets while walking to and from school, with additional construction traffic, road closures etc. while the stadium is being constructed.
Funding shortfall
It is understood they have a $60 million funding shortfall (Almos 70% short of the $90 million required). It is unclear what will happen if this funding shortfall cannot be, which is highly likely in our current fiscally constrained budget environment. The proposal says that stage 2 is dependent on funding allowances. There is a risk that, if approved, you will allow the removal of valuable green space, in place of only part a stadium and/or corners will be cut to deal with this.
Flooding impacts
Flooding impact assessment doesn’t adequately consider the flood impacts. For example, the local canal goes from empty to full very quick (I’ve experienced it doing this after just short thunderstorms). Currently the fields provide flood and stormwater retention for considerable time, keeping these floodwaters away from homes and local streets. The report indicates the only mitigation measures proposed are rainwater tanks. There is no way these could store the same amount of water as the existing fields.
The report also says the carpark might flood, so if people are worried, to park in residential streets instead – further adding the to traffic mayhem in local narrow streets that already can’t fit two cars side by side when cars are parked.
Inadequate community engagement
There has no been adequate community engagement. For instance, over 80% of Lambton High School students’ families were opposed to the development, but we have not been consulted with as part of targeted consultation. Likewise, the local residents in surround streets that I know in Duke St, Rex Ave and Durham Rd have not been consulted but will 100% be impacted by parking loss and traffic in their streets.
Inadequate social impact assessment
The SEIA for the project does not sufficiently address the effect that displacing Western Suburbs Junior Cricket Club. It’s one of the fastest growing junior clubs for Newcastle. Losing ground will not only limit current capacity but hinder the ability to grow the sport.
Misclassification of the ground utilisation
The report misclassifies Wallarah and Blackley ovals as underutilised. This is based on flawed analysis from the City of Newcastle’s Sporting Strategy (2020), which measure usage only for winter sports, rather than peak summer usage. Cricket teams use these fields daily during spring and summer, and loss of this green space will add pressure to other facilities, and insufficient replacement grounds (current proposals are inferior in quality and proximity).

I object to this development because it is not in the interests of the current or future community of Broadmeadow, Lambton, New Lambton, North Lambton, New Lambton Heights, Elemore Vale or Rankin Park to lose heavily used greenspace and i believe the EIS has failed to identify the issues and risk correctly or to provide enforceable mitigation measures.
I would like to focus my comments on:
1. Extremely poor quality of the Social and Economic Impact Assessment (Appendix II) and Community Engagement (Appendix D) for this project.
2. Site selection was based on incorrect assessment of the current uses of the site
3. Cumulative impacts, especially regarding traffic and flooding have not adequately addressed
4. Key mitigation measures are not enforceable or will not work

1. Social Impacts: Both the Community Engagement and Social and Economic Impact Assessment did not adhere to relevant guidelines for SIAs or for Community Engagement for State Significant Developments. While the relevant EIS appendix includes a lot of cut and paste from these guidelines there is no evidence that they were actually followed at all. In relation to the SIA - the development has not correctly identified the Social Locality of the project. They have only identified one suburb which is completely wrong, as the users of Wallarah and Blakely oval come from many surrounding suburbs (especially Lambton and Broadmedow) and the Lambton High School community which uses the land extensively draws from a wide range of Newcastle suburbs. Appendix II includes a large amount of cut and paste demographic data which is irrelevant and not reference at all, to make it look like they did an assessment of the Social Locality. They did not. They also have not establish the Social Baseline correctly. They have not used the methodology in the SIA guideline for Social Baseline and they have not collected or analyzed data correctly. The information in Appendix II shows an extremely poor understanding of the existing uses and users of the two ovals and provides no information as to the role this land plays in this tight knit community. They have also failed completely to understand or address the consequences of losing greenspace in a city which is ear marked for major population grown and increases in urban density. The analysis of the social impacts also does not meet the SIA guideline method, nor is there any proposed management or monitoring as required by the SIA guideline.
The community consultation undertake by the proponent was extremely biased to the existing basketball playing community. The nature, scope and scale of the community engagement provided to the broader community, local residents and the Lambton High School community has been misrepresented in the EIS. There is very strong opposition to this development from the Lambton and New Lambton community, many of the junior local sports groups (who were not consulted) and the Lambton High School community. The EIS misrepresents general support for a basketball centre, and suggests that this means that there is general support for THIS basketball centre. This is not the case. There is strong opposition to THIS basketball centre.

2. Site Selection: Wallarah and Blakely ovals should never have been proposed as a location for this development by City of Newcastle, because there used in accurate data that did not take account of the fact that Lambton High School has rented these ovals for decade, and that they are heavily used by junior sports teams that were not consulted or considered. In fact the CN sports strategy states that there is an increasing demand for soccer fields in the LGA. The site is also well known to be flood effected and there is already major traffic and parking problems around this site associated with major events. This site it completely unsuited to this development. The development will negatively impact on the existing users (especially the School community and junior sports) and contribute to increased traffic and flood risk (especially flash flooding on access roads).

3. Traffic: Traffic and parking is already a significant problem and impacted by major event. The EIS is wrong to suggest that the traffic management would be similar to the Newcastle Hockey Centre (across the road) if a left turn only arrangement was in place. The Hockey Centre has no residential neighbourhood and no network of back streets behind it so the traffic must be directed along the major roads. The HISC site does have a network of back streets and alternative roads (such as Young Road) that can be used by people leaving the site. It is highly likely that a large number of vehicles leaving the site will end up using Young Road, Womboin Road and Wallarah Road; and that Monash Road and Wallararh Road will also be used by people coming to the site. The promotion and use of public transport as mitigation measure suggested to reduce traffic and parking impacts is also completely unrealistic. While the EIS correctly notes that there are bus route near the site it (a) completely fails to account for the fact that most of these bus routes have extremely limited timetables and do not run in the evenings or often on weekends, so would be on no use to people using the site in the evenings or weekend. For example the 132 bus only runs twice a day and is basically just a school bus. b) These bus routes do not service the wider lower hunter region effectively and it is not possible or practicable to get to the site via public transport from large areas of Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens or Maitland. c) The train station is more than 20min walk away along a poorly lite and isolated route. It would not be safe for young people and women to walk to or from the train station in the evenings. d)Train timetable is very limited and the area serviced by the trains is only a very small part of the HISC user catchment. For example there are no train services to Port Stephen or the eastern side of Lake Macquarie.
Flooding: The site and the adjacent road network and residential neighbourhood are already subject to flooding and in particular flash flooding from storm events. See Newcastle Herald July 27 2020 for article about flood rescue on Turton Street just near the site. Wallarah and Blakely oval current play an important flood mitigation roll as they soak up large amounts of runoff and store it for slow release. By turning this land into permeable surfaces there will be less water stored in the landscape for slow release and therefore the potential for increase flash flooding in the streets around the site, as the current stormwater channel (Lambton Ker-kai Creek already is at capacity, especially when there is a high tide at the same time. It is important to also note
that there is increasing urban density and less greenspace in the Lambton Kai-kai catchment every year as the city becomes more populated and density increases therefore it is inevitable that there will be more runoff and the risk of more flooding. Once climate change and sea level rise is factored in, it is highly likely that the cumulative impact of all these changes will make the whole neighbourhood far more flood impacted in the future.

4: Key mitigation measure: Many of the proposed mitigation measured for impacts are not able to be enforces as consent condition and there is no formal mechanism or agreements in place, so they really cannot be considered effective mitigation measure that would work over the full life of the operation of HISC. For example Parts of Macdonald Jones Stadium (MJS) carpark are earmarked for future development and MJS is also planning to have many more events, therefore it will not be guaranteed that the MJS carpark will be available for use as an overflow parking area in the future. Also there is no agreement in place that would guarantee the School use of alternative greenspace or ovals, and it is unlikely they will get access to Aurther Edden Oval as it is leased to a professional sports club, and therefore will have to use ovals further away which involve crossing roads and additional transport time. This will add significantly to teacher work load and reduce the amount of time that can be used in a 40min class for learning. Other examples are provided in submissions from Save Our Lambton Ovals and the Lambton High School Parents and Teachers Association.
For these and many other reasons I oppose the construction of HISC on the Wallarah and Blakely oval site.

As a resident who has lived here for nearly 10 years and over the ten years we have seen first hand how chaotic surrounding streets can be in New Lambton. I completely object to the propose build. As a mother of two young children who love playing on the oval which has been allocated to build the Hunter sport centre, it would be incredibly devastating to see the green space go. A place for my children to run, play, meet other friends. A place that holds our community together. The chaos of traffic that already takes place for a game at the stadium or hockey match is incredibly unsafe to the community. The congestion and unsafe parking, over crowding the streets puts residents at risk of harm. I believe there will be car park spaces on the ground of the Hunter sports centre, however, it will not be enough to facilitate the amount of people travelling to and from games or entering the sports centre. I have growing concerns about the safety of young children and elderly who have to walk on the streets to and from games because of the congestions of cars and traffic and lack of room on the pre-existing foot path provided. If this project was to go ahead, someone will get hurt. As a registered nurse who has worked in an emergency department and in critical care for my whole career I have seen first hand the extent of injuries that can occur if someone was to be hit by a car due to traffic chaos. I feel for the soccer and cricket teams who will have these grounds taken away from them too.
We need this sports centre but we do not need it on these ovals. It’s too unsafe for our community.

Please see attached file.
Final submission.pdf 11_11_24

Dear NSW Dept of Planning and Environment

Than you for the opportunity to comment on the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre proposal (SSD-65595459).

I wish to strongly oppose the development at the proposed location 2 Monash Road and 24 Wallarah Road, New Lambton. Similar to many others' views it’s a good proposal in the wrong location.


3 points:

1
Destroy open greenspace

Wallarah and Blackley Ovals are treasured, open, grassed spaces and the proposal is in the wrong area. Open green space should be left as is for the existing users and community.

Newcastle and the lower Hunter is littered with derelict and disused sites which have already been built on. Surely one of these is better suited to the proposal. Apart from the loss of valuable playing areas for field sporting users and the high school, the proposal will see the lack of ability to see through the landscape across the ovals. The multiple users of the ovals and open space highly value this open green space, and it this appreciation cannot measure in monetary terms. This has been raised by many in the community.


2.
Amenity

Light
The EIS states that lighting for the proposal will be on 24 hours per day, at 100% lighting from dusk to 10pm and 30% lighting from 10pm until dawn. This is not acceptable for local residents and wildlife/fauna.

Although opposed, should the proposal be approved, please require soft or ambient lighting without blue light content outside of event times, and schedule times when all lights are off.


Visual Amenity
This is a very large development which will visually affect neighbours including those who are not just immediately adjacent to the ovals. It is not just the excessive height, but the lack of vision through the landscape the proposal brings.

The potential loss of amenity at Wallarah and Blackley Ovals, is too great not to take seriously the quest of finding a better suited alternative location. The dribble which the local City Council has used in trying to find an alternative location is shameful. They are again trying to grandstand themselves, trying to look important to outsiders, rather than look after their own community and residents.
The EIS does not make serious consideration of alternative locations and weigh up pros and cons. It simply mentions one alternative at Hillsborough Rd, which has already been rejected, and the EIS has not explored other alternative locations.

The EIS states that 240 received letterbox flyers about the proposal, however living within 350m of the proposal, we received no notification nor have we been approached at all. We simply received the notification in the mail of the EIS in exhibition by your department and we appreciate that correspondence.

The ‘overall views’ in the EIS architectural drawings are misleading as they do not accurately portray the height and mass of the proposed buildings. They seem to be taken from an ant’s perspective with trees blocking the building and the without realistic context of neighbouring houses. Further, the “design proposals in the architects report only show overall views for Stage1A and 1B, not all stages of the proposed development.

Although opposed, should the proposal be approved, please required the proponent to plant so many trees and shrubs of all sizes, that it would seem there’s a sports centre in a forest.

Noise
Construction and operational noise will be increased and not abated. I note the EIS states the proposal's operating hours will be until 11pm, 7 days a week. This is not acceptable to local residents.

Although opposed, should the proposal be approved, please restrict operating hours to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday and 11:00pm Friday and Saturday.

Traffic
The proposal includes 240 car spaces, and multiple playing courts, retail outlets and a 2500 seat grandstand. Clearly, visitors travelling to the proposed HISC and anticipated patronage and demand for parking far outstrips the proposed supply. This will mean residential streets are further overwhelmed with cars and gridlock during events. This is not acceptable and the wrong location for this proposal.

3.
Flooding concerns

The EIS states the proposal is mapped as flood prone land. While the flooding assessment demonstrates the proposal complies with statutory provisions, in practice this is not likely to be the case, especially in prolonged or heavy rain. Locals have raised this point and it should be considered with utmost seriousness. The back up and actual flow on affects for others (residents) in the catchment which is not acceptable.

The loss of open green space for infiltration of rainwater is not countered in the EIS, in particular as no on site stormwater detention basin is proposed. It was rejected or deemed unnecessary . The residential streets to the south of the proposal are currently inadequate to convey stormwater in average rainfall conditions into Lambton Ker-rai Creek and regularly stay full of water for days after rain. This is due to the local City Council’s foul disregard of residents concerns to provide appropriate stormwater infrastructure and 'get the basics right’. The massive increase in hardstand from this proposal is not acceptable .

Thank you for considering my submission.