Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

My name is Anna, and I’m 10 years old, and basketball is my passion. I don’t just like playing — I dream of one day wearing the green and gold and representing Australia. Every time I step on the court, I imagine myself at the Olympics.

Right now, I train and play at the Newcastle Basketball Stadium. I’m so grateful for it, but it’s really hard when the roof leaks or when games are cancelled because the courts are wet. Sometimes we are all ready to play, and then we’re told it’s unsafe. It’s really disappointing, especially when I know every game and every training session helps me get closer to my dream.

A new Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium would change everything. It would give players like me a place to train properly, without worrying about whether the courts are safe. It would also give us more space and better facilities to grow as athletes. I believe a stadium like this could inspire more kids, especially girls, to choose basketball and to believe that their dreams are possible too.

For me, basketball is more than just a game — it’s where I feel most confident and happy. I love being part of a team, pushing myself to improve, and competing against strong opponents. But I also know how important sport is for all kids, no matter what game they choose. Having a modern stadium means kids in netball, volleyball, futsal, and other sports will also get to play safely and aim high.

Even if the new stadium isn’t finished while I’m still a kid, I know it will help the next generation — the little kids who are just picking up a basketball for the first time or joining their first team. They deserve to have a place that gives them the best chance to grow, play, and believe in themselves.

Please support the Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium. For me, it would bring me closer to my dream of playing for Australia, and for all kids it would open doors to bigger and brighter futures.

Thank you

My name is Ethan, and I am 12 years old. I play representative basketball in Newcastle. I used to play other sports, but I’ve chosen basketball above everything else because it’s the game I love the most.

Right now, we play at the Newcastle Basketball Stadium, but it has a lot of problems. The roof leaks when it rains, and games and training sometimes get cancelled because the courts are wet and unsafe. The building is old and doesn’t really meet the needs of all the players and families who use it. It can be very disappointing to miss games and training for reasons like that, especially when we all look forward to playing so much.

That’s why the idea of a new Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium is so exciting. Having a modern, safe, and reliable stadium would mean we could play and train without worrying about leaks or cancellations. It would also give kids like me the best chance to improve, compete, and enjoy basketball to its fullest.

Even though basketball is my passion, I know how important sport in general is for kids. Whether it’s netball, volleyball, futsal, or any other indoor sport, having a place where children can play, stay active, and be part of a team makes a big difference in their lives. Sport helps us make friends, learn discipline, stay healthy, and build confidence. A stadium like this would be amazing for all sports, not just basketball.

Basketball has already given me confidence, great friends, and so many positive experiences. I know that a new stadium would make things even better — not just for me, but for all players, teams, and families who love the game.

Even though I understand that the new stadium might not be finished while I am still playing, I think it’s really important for the younger kids and future players to have it. They deserve to grow up with the opportunities that a proper stadium can give them, and I want them to have the chance to enjoy sport the way I have.

Please support the new Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium. It would make a huge difference to the future of basketball and all indoor sports in our community.

Thank you for reading my submission.

My name is Liam, and I am 14 years old. I have been playing at the surrent Sports Stadium for the past few years, both in competitive teams and in more social games with friends. I wanted to share why the new stadium means so much to me and why I believe it should continue to be supported.

For me, the stadium is more than just a place to play sport. It’s where I go to challenge myself, improve my skills, and be part of a team. Playing competitively has taught me how to push myself, set goals, and work hard, but it has also shown me how important teamwork and encouragement are. Winning feels great, but what I value most is being able to play alongside my teammates and knowing that we all support each other, no matter the result.

The stadium is also a place where I can spend time with my friends in a safe and positive environment. Not everyone wants to play at a high level, and that’s okay — there is always space for people who just want to play socially and have fun. I think that’s one of the best things about the stadium: it doesn’t matter whether you are there to compete seriously or just to enjoy yourself, you always feel welcome.

Being part of the stadium community has given me confidence both on and off the court. I’ve made new friends, built strong connections with coaches and other players, and learned life skills that I know will help me in the future. It’s also given my family a chance to get involved, whether by coming to watch games, meeting other families, or just supporting me in something I really care about.

I honestly can’t imagine not having the Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium. For kids like me, it’s a place to stay active, keep healthy, and have fun while learning important lessons about discipline, respect, and teamwork. I really hope that it keeps getting the support it needs, so that more kids in the Hunter can have the same opportunities that I’ve had.

Thank you for reading my submission.

Good for kids in the community

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for the continued development and long-term sustainability of the Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium. As a local resident, a mother, and someone who is deeply invested in the health and wellbeing of our community, I believe this facility is an essential part of the social fabric of our region.

The Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium is not just a building where people gather to play sport. It is a place of connection, belonging, and growth. For families like mine, it provides a safe and supportive environment where our children can learn the values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. It is a space where they are encouraged to be active, to build friendships, and to grow in confidence both on and off the court. As a parent, there is great reassurance in knowing that my children have access to such a positive, structured outlet that supports their physical and mental health.

The importance of this facility extends beyond youth sport. It provides a space for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to participate in recreational activities, whether competitively or socially. For many women, in particular, it offers an accessible and welcoming environment to maintain fitness, manage stress, and find community through sport. The inclusive atmosphere makes it a place where individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from traditional sporting pathways can find a sense of belonging and empowerment.

From a broader community perspective, the stadium strengthens our region by hosting competitions, tournaments, and events that attract participants and visitors from across the Hunter and beyond. These gatherings create not only a vibrant sporting culture but also deliver economic benefits to local businesses, from cafés and restaurants to accommodation providers. The ripple effect of the stadium’s presence extends well beyond its walls, contributing to the vitality of the local economy.

Importantly, the stadium also serves as a pathway for athlete development. It provides young people with the facilities and opportunities to pursue higher levels of sport, while at the same time ensuring that grassroots participation remains at the heart of its mission. This balance between elite pathways and community access is rare and invaluable. It means that no matter what level a person aspires to, the stadium provides a home for their sporting journey.

For families like mine, the stadium is also a place where we spend time together, whether watching our children play, joining in ourselves, or connecting with other families. In an age where so many young people are drawn towards screens and sedentary activities, having a safe and engaging facility that encourages movement, interaction, and healthy living cannot be overstated.

The Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium is a community asset that enriches lives daily. It supports physical health, fosters mental resilience, builds social connections, and contributes to the economic and cultural strength of our region. I strongly believe that continued investment in its maintenance and growth is not just desirable, but essential for the wellbeing of current and future generations.

I respectfully urge decision-makers to recognise the immense value of this facility and to ensure that it receives the support required to thrive in the years ahead. The Hunter community deserves to retain and grow such an asset—one that nurtures individuals, families, and the region as a whole.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Without doubt, there is a dire need for a facility such as this in Newcastle. There are literally thousands of basketballers (and others) who are crying out for a facility such as this.
I know there are many who support this stadium in principle but hesitate because of the proposed location. I urge them to consider that the location will make it part of an already existing sporting precinct, and rather than degrade the proposed location, it will centralise sport, allowing the provision of existing transport links and support services to be enhanced.
Whilst primarily a basketball stadium, the proposal will allow many other recreational pursuits, both active and passive.
This proposal will add to Newcastle's reputation as the provider of first-rate facilities and bring with it a boost to commercial outlets and accommodation retailers.
I urge the NSW government to resist the negativity and proceed with this proposal.

We need a home for basketball and the thousands of kids that play it. We need a state of the art facility that will attract state and national competitions which will in turn generate business for the local economy.

I support this project

This area needs a facility like this so our children can play state and national level competition in their home town in front of their family and friends.

Basketball is booming. The current facilities are insufficient or dilapidated. The complex would really compliment the precinct

This seems the most logical place to build the complex. This project needs to commence as soon as possible

Support positive community activity and health with supporting this community building.

As a long term player and parent to 2 playing children, i strongly support the new HISC. The existing facilities are not sufficient and with that site earmarked for major residential development, the proposed site at Broadmeadow seems on balance to go towards meeting the needs of participants and minimise the impacts on the nearby community - which has been considered and reflected in the amendments made.
It is adjacent to major sporting facilities and an arterial road for access. Whilst there are impacts on the adjacent school in particular, I think it's fair to conclude that there is much green space and sporting activity space in the surrounding areas that the change in purpose for the proposed site is on balance reasonable.
For such a large city, indoor sports space is definitely insufficient and it is hard by it's nature to develop in a low impact way as it can't be spread around various locations like outdoor sporting fields. This proposal is a fair one and no other reasonable alternatives have been noted by proponents or opponents to the development. Thanks

Our family has lived and played basketball in Newcastle for the last 5 years, having come from Sydney and Canberra before that. Our children have represented Newcastle as part of the junior Falcons program. We travel up and down the coast and enjoy facilities in regional areas that are far superior to Newcastle’s. The current facilities are ageing, uninspiring and, at times, dangerous. Games have been cancelled because the roof leaks and there’s no way to control temperature in the tin shed in Broadmeadow. Basketball is enjoying a huge renaissance, more and more kids want to play and those kids and their families, and the coaches and referees and admin staff and volunteers and everyone who supports the game deserve to do so in facilities that meet our standards in 2025. The stadium will support local tourism. It will support other local sports and local organisations that rely on having access to quality venues. The proposed design is great. It is time for Newcastle to get onboard and embrace change, including greater density and amenity in city areas, and help the city become a destination beyond just its beaches.

I’m a support worker for wheelchair basketball , newcastle needs this .

The area is in need of good quality basketball courts that are accessible for the youth of today. There is a huge focus on mental health so having the courts will benefit the young kids.

This project is much needed for the Hunter

Need a major update. Close to current. Great for kids

To whom it may concern. I am writing to offer my support for the development of the Hunter Sports Stadium. The project is desperately needed to accommodate the growing number of basketball players in Newcastle, both young and old. The current stadium has long outlived its purpose and the people of Australia's 6th largest city deserve a modern facility that isn't full of asbestos and leaks when it rains. Please consider all of the junior players who are currently unable to play the sport they love due to the currently lack of facilities when making your decision and approve the proposed Broadmeadow location.
Kind Regards
Kevin

Don't see why we need to have your say (again). Obvious the NO's won last time resoundingly.
They don't need a new center they have a perfectly good one already. So that is a NO from me.
Just because there is open unoccupied space doesn't mean we need to fill it up with developments. The kids need an open space to fly a kite and do all the things kids do close to home.
Better spend the money on the public health system as it is in a state of collapse.
Same deal for the former mental health facility up at Shoal Bay doesn't need a jetty or a swimming area or a place for Aboriginals to hold meetings and ceremonies there are plenty of places to swim and have a welcome to country or smoking ceremony.
May I suggest you turn that facility in a women's refuge for DV victims and family.
Too much is spent on vanity projects and prettying things up instead fixing the broken health system.
Also don't need and an entertainment precinct and in Broadmeadow let alone more housing. The roads won't cope it's bad enough now imagine what it would be like when a knights game is on, total traffic chaos. It's manageable now don't make it worse. Common sense should override the desire for individual wealth, fame and ribbon cutting.