Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

Newcastle is in desperate need of additional and better basketball facilities.

No proposed site is perfect.

All proposed sites will be met with some form of resistance.

The proposed site is an underutilised space.

The proposed site would be a great site for an indoor centre. It is close to public transport. Close to arterial roads. Plenty of parking at the proposed site with an abundance of overflow in McDonald Jones Stadium.

Start building.

The development of this new sporting facility in the Hunter is a positive and essential development securing Hunter Volleyball’s requirements for indoor courts, meeting current demand and forecast expansion of non-contact, inclusive community activities, junior development programs, junior and senior social competitions, Junior & Premier League competitions, and representative programs. It will facilitate delivery of new school, community, and championship tournaments, and enable us to launch accessible disciplines (sitting and walking volleyball), new divisions including U10s and Masters, and provide a permanent home for regional volleyballers for generations to come.

This is an important facility for the Hunter Region. The proposed location is ideal in terms of the sports precinct and access to public transportation.

To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my strong positive support for the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. As a former Newcastle and NSW Representative basketball player, former club manager, Junior Coach, Life Playing Member and now watching my granddaughter play, I know firsthand, the importance of updating the current stadium to a larger facility, to be known as the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, to provide more opportunities for our children to play sport all year round.
The proposed Indoor Sports Centre would fill a critical gap and become a true multi-purpose community asset - open seven days a week, 50 weeks a year. The Centre would be designed to welcome everyone providing a safe, inclusive space for physical activities, team building and community connection. The facility can be used for competitions, school programs, basketball, futsal, pickleball, volleyball, netball and table tennis. Currently, there is not a facility large enough in the Newcastle Region that allows this opportunity. The increased court capacity will make it a more accessible, year round, indoor sporting facility in our area.
The economic benefits are also clear. The Indoor Sports Centre will create jobs during construction and in its daily operations. It will attract visitors for tournaments and events, benefiting local businesses such as cafes. Most importantly, it will give our young people somewhere to go, something to be part of, and a reason to stay active and engaged.
I urge you to approve and prioritise the development of this much-needed facility. This is an investment in health, inclusion, youth development, and community strength. It is a facility that will serve our area every week of the year and for generations to come. It will have an immediate and lasting impact on the health and well-being of our entire community.
Sincerely,
Dianne Henry

This is a great submission to a long over due lack of facilities

Attached is my objection against the HISC in the identified location based on the following SSD failures:
1(a) Flooding and Emergency Risk (Appendix I – Flood Impact and Risk Assessment)
1(b) Flood Expert Credentials
2. Traffic and Transport Failures (Appendices L & O – Traffic Impact and Traffic Management
Plans)
3. Green Space and Social Impacts (Appendix DD – Socio-Economic Impact Assessment)
4. Visual and Amenity Impacts (Appendix H – Visual Impact Assessment)
5(a) Consultation and Engagement (Appendix DD – Socio-Economic Impact; Meeting
Records)
5(b) Improper Commentary on Aboriginal Archaeology
5(c) Unaddressed Reference
6. Project Viability and Staging (Appendix JJ – Staging Plan)
7. Groundwater and Environmental Impacts (Appendix R – Groundwater Statement)
8. Groundwater and Compliance Failures (Appendix R – Groundwater Statement)
9. Shift from Minister for Planning to Independent Planning Commission (IPC)

See Also Attached within objection - FAILURE MATRIX

I fully support the build of the indoor sports stadium at Lambton.
The community needs this asap

Well overdue ,plans look great ! perfect location in an established sporting precinct

I live locally, I see how many people already make use of the facility which is extremely run down. I travel a lot with Basketball and I know that there are not many sites which are big enough to hold a tournament in NSW, if there were you would get all the accom and food for everyone visiting (at least
3000 people each time). It is definitely worth it on so many levels, it would benefit so many people.

This is a well overdue upgrade to facilities that not only service the basketball community but several other indoor sports, schools and public events.
The facilities will enable the expansion of state and national tournaments which will in turn increasing tourism and spending locally and across our region.
The location has been much debated with several sites and avenues explored, this site is the most suitable.of offered sites. It will enable a well connected sporting precinct, existing accessibility via multiple modes of transport and will accommodate growth for current and future generations.

This facility will be fantastic for giving people with disabilities a place to participate in the sport of their choosing. The allied health facilities are another great addition. The ability to use the land in all weather is another reason to continue with the development. Thousands of people with benefit from this facility directly and thousands more indirectly with all the carnivals, tournaments and other events that will use it.

A new stadium is desperately needed and is going to be of huge benefit to so many people in the community, especially young people wanting to continue to participate in sport. A regional city of our size needs this. There is no good reason this should not go ahead.

I would like to support this project. I think it is really good for families and the community in general. We desperately need more facilities. Please pass this project through.

Please Find attached my objection letter outlining the following:
1. Flood Risk and Storage Compliance
2. Emergency Management Deficiencies
3. Traffic, Transport and Cumulative Impacts
4. Groundwater and Staging/Funding Uncertainty

I support the proposal as submitted

I object to the project as I did last year. I don't believe my concerns have been addressed, actually they are now worse.

I live very close to the ovals and as I said last time I don't like the idea of people walking up and down my street bouncing balls, talking every night. I know this will happen because it happens every time the Knight's play.

I went to Lambton high and I know how easy it is to walk across the ovals and the bridge so people will chose to park in the streets like my street rather than go around the block 4 times to get to the official car park. The stadium would be open from 6am-11pm - 7 days a week...this is not ok. I have autism and am sensitive to noises - bouncing balls are definitely one of them.

The other thing that worries me is flooding. My mum gets really worried about it and goes on "drain watch". I was almost 5 when the Pasha Bulka storm happened - we were forced to live out of our house for 6 months while it got fixed. This was a very stressful time for us all. In May this year water started coming into our back yard and mum told me the drain was overflowing - we had to pack some clothes in case we had to evacuate. I am no expert but I can understand that 3 great big green ovals can soak up water much better than a concrete slab can. I am worried what will happen to the neighbourhood and my house if it floods again. I don't like seeing my mum so stressed.
This proposal is really not well thought out and shouldn't have got this far. I am really annoyed I am having to make another submission about the same things because Basketball, in 9 months and 41 reports later, have not found ways to fix the flooding and parking - in fact, they have told people opening to parking in my street by saying overflow parking to adjacent streets - not good enough

Please see my photos for evidence

I am writing in strong support of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) project, which represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a purpose-built, modern, and accessible indoor sporting and community facility for Newcastle and the Hunter region.

The current Newcastle Basketball Stadium has served the community well for many decades, but it has reached the limits of its capacity, functionality, and accessibility. With the Broadmeadow Place Strategy requiring relocation of the existing venue, this project is not only necessary but also presents the perfect opportunity to deliver a facility that matches the needs of our rapidly growing community, sporting participation rates, and long-term regional planning.

Community Benefits
The HISC has been carefully designed as more than just a basketball venue. It will provide:
- Multi-purpose indoor courts for basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball, and other emerging sports, supporting both grassroots and elite pathways.
- Allied health suites and a gym/movement studio that will promote injury prevention, rehabilitation, and lifelong physical activity.
- Café, social spaces, and function rooms to create a welcoming hub where people can connect, volunteer, and celebrate community.
- Inclusive and accessible facilities, including modern change rooms and spectator seating, ensuring people of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds can participate fully.
- Ample car parking to accommodate large events while also easing congestion for day-to-day users.

The vision is clear: a vibrant, welcoming hub that encourages people to be active, connected, and healthy.

Participation and Inclusion
Basketball is already one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia, with diverse participation across age, gender, and cultural backgrounds. Newcastle Basketball has a proud record of fostering inclusion, with strong junior and senior programs, pathways for girls and women, and active engagement with Aboriginal and multicultural communities. The current stadium regularly operates at or beyond capacity, turning people away from programs, competitions, and development opportunities.

The HISC will remove these barriers, opening the door for:
- More junior and grassroots competitions so that no child misses out.
- Expanded senior and social competitions that support community wellbeing.
- Stronger elite development pathways for the Newcastle Falcons and representative athletes.
- Programs for people with disability, older adults, and social inclusion groups, ensuring everyone has a place to participate.

Health and Wellbeing Outcomes
The project goes beyond sport. By embedding allied health services, gym and movement spaces, and active social areas, HISC will contribute significantly to physical, mental, and social wellbeing in our community. It aligns with state and national strategies to increase physical activity, tackle chronic disease, and strengthen community resilience.

The inclusion of allied health suites will directly support injury management, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation services, linking sport with evidence-based health care. This integration of health and sport will be unique in the region.

Economic and Regional Impact
The HISC will bring substantial economic benefits through construction jobs, ongoing employment, and increased visitation. Sporting events, tournaments, and community functions hosted at the centre will draw visitors from across the Hunter, Central Coast, and wider NSW, supporting local hospitality and tourism industries.

By replacing outdated infrastructure with a state-of-the-art, future-ready facility, Newcastle positions itself as a premier regional hub for indoor sport and community events. This project will deliver long-term social and economic returns for decades.

Alignment with the Broadmeadow Place Strategy
The relocation of the existing stadium is a necessity under the Broadmeadow Place Strategy. This project ensures that not only is the lost facility replaced, but it is significantly expanded to meet the needs of a growing population and modern standards. This is a smart, strategic investment in community infrastructure.

Environmental and Planning Considerations
I acknowledge that the SSDA process raised community questions around traffic, parking, noise, and design. I commend the project team for addressing these issues in the updated response to submissions. The revised design balances functionality with environmental responsibility, ensuring the centre is sustainable, safe, and future-proof.

A Legacy for Newcastle and the Hunter
The Hunter Indoor Sports Centre will be more than just bricks and mortar – it will be a legacy project. It will provide opportunities for children discovering sport for the first time, for teenagers chasing their representative dreams, for adults staying fit and socially connected, and for older people continuing to move and belong. It will provide a safe and inclusive space for families, friends, and the wider community to come together.

This is the kind of project that defines a city’s commitment to health, participation, and social inclusion.

Conclusion
The Hunter Indoor Sports Centre is urgently needed, thoughtfully designed, and overwhelmingly positive for our community. It will deliver wide-reaching benefits in health, sport, inclusion, and economic growth, while ensuring that Newcastle and the Hunter region remain leaders in community and sporting infrastructure.

For these reasons, I give my full support to the project and urge decision-makers to approve the SSDA so that this vital facility can move forward without delay.

The project is a positive development for the city and is urgently required to replace the highly utilised and very well worn existing facility in Broadmeadow. The benefits to all that use the existing facility will be numerous in providing a up to date purpose built facility that will benefit current users and encourage future participation and excellence in the sports played there.

I am writing as a local parent and active member of the Newcastle community to express my strong support for the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) SSDA development. This project is not only overdue but essential for the future of sport, health, and community connection in our region.

The current stadium is outdated and no longer fit for the growing needs of families and young people. Too often, games and training sessions are cancelled due to weather (dangerously slippery floor due roof leaks!), or children are placed on waiting lists because there simply aren’t enough courts. A modern facility would allow sport to be played year-round, in a safe and welcoming environment, regardless of conditions outside.

The new HISC will be far more than a basketball venue. Its design supports a wide range of indoor sports, including futsal, volleyball, pickleball, netball, and tennis. This makes it a true community hub—one that caters to the diverse interests of Newcastle residents and provides opportunities for all ages and abilities to be active.

Increased court capacity will also mean that children are no longer turned away from competitions or training programs due to a lack of space. As a parent, I have seen the disappointment in young players when they miss out on playing basketball as the courts can't support the team numbers required. We also have had to train at unsuitable times for young children (very early or very late) to get access to courts. The new facility ensures that enthusiasm and potential are nurtured, not stifled.

Beyond sport, the wider benefits of this development are significant. The HISC will strengthen pathways for talented athletes, while at the same time encouraging participation from those simply seeking fun and fitness. It will provide a safe and inclusive space that fosters social connection, builds resilience in young people, and improves physical and mental well-being across the community. Importantly, its accessible design ensures that no one is excluded, regardless of ability.

Newcastle deserves a facility that matches the passion and growth of its sporting community. The HISC SSDA is a forward-looking investment that will serve families now and for generations to come. I strongly urge approval of this project.

A great Asset to the community in a central location, well overdue. Let’s get it built!