Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

The current proposed site for the sports centre is not feasible and does not take into account the following factors-
1. It will affect the local high school who utilise the area for sports, green space for the kids to enjoy at lunchtime and it is also their evacuation site.
2. The area is known as an old wetlands and floods regularly.
3. Traffic chaos will result on Turton Road which is a main arterial road for Newcastle, the impact on residential streets with parking and traffic problems will also be significant.
4. A more suitable site would be at Glendale where the amazing Hunter Sports Centre has just been constructed. Would be good to keep multiple sports in one area.

Newcastle is the second largest city in NSW. Our facilities for basketball are an embarrassment. Our current stadium has asbestos, leaks and is substandard. I’m a grandparent and when I travel to watch kids play at Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Nowra and many other town I’m in excellent basketball facilities.
We turn kids away from basketball because Newcastle does not have enough courts. Sport keeps kids of the street and too busy for drugs etc. indoor sports are especially important for grandparents to see their kids play as it offers a more friendly environment as opposed to outdoor sports with cold and wet weather.
The current facility in Newcastle for basketball is an embarrassment to the NSW government and Newcastle stadium. I played on that court 60 years ago and it was not great then.
It is time to get the job done.
C Hurley

I am writing to express my strong support for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre project. As a local community member and regular volleyball player at the current facility, I have seen first-hand the limitations of the existing venue. The stadium is in poor condition and does not have the capacity to meet the needs of the community, particularly for sports such as volleyball, where there are very few other suitable venues available.
The proposed development would provide modern, accessible, and larger facilities, which are essential to accommodate the growing demand for indoor sports. This project will not only create better opportunities for volleyball, but also support a wide range of sports and community activities. Importantly, it will encourage more people, both young people and adults, to engage in regular sport and exercise, which has significant benefits for physical and mental health, as well as social connection.
The Hunter Indoor Sports Centre represents critical infrastructure for our region and will have lasting positive impacts on the health, wellbeing, and opportunities for our community. I strongly urge approval of this project so that it can move forward to benefit current and future generations.

I believe the community needs this to support the continued growing demand for Basketball in the area and the state of the existing facilities.

My Gramdson plays basketball now. I was a basketball fan of the Falcons when I was younger. The stadium is old & desperately needs a new home with upgrades. Basketball has been a major newcastle sports for over 50 years (As I can personally remember). I am sure it still will be in more than the next 50 years. If we don't get a new home or major upgrades. It will dwindle away. With all the heartaches newcastle basketball has been through. You go there today and see all the junior teams play. My Grandson has to play some games at Hunter Sports High as there is not enough courts for them all to play on. This is proof that basketball is still strong in Newcastle & desperately needs a new home. The current stadium is so rundown & this is not fair to all the passionate players

The sport of basketball has clearly outgrown its current facilities, and continued growth highlights the urgent need for an alternative site with greater capacity. The proposed location is well suited due to its proximity to other major sporting venues, including the Hockey Centre, MacDonald Jones Stadium, and numerous cricket, soccer, and rugby league grounds. It is also well serviced by public transport.

The proposed site appears to be under-utilised, which would certainly change with the new basketball facility. The existing venue has a waiting list for teams and players, indicating strong demand and immediate uptake for expanded infrastructure.

While it is likely that any location will attract some objections from local residents—particularly regarding traffic and parking impacts—this concern was evident in earlier proposals around Cardiff \Hillsborough. However, the proposed site is already recognised as a hub for sport and entertainment and is bordered by a major arterial road, which should help minimise any adverse impacts.

I own a unit that adjoins directly to the boundary of the proposed site. The proposed stadium court will be less than 30 metres from the bedroom of the unit. This development will severely impact the value of the property, not to mention the amenity of living there. Who could approve the building of a stadium court so close to properties where people live? The loss of enjoyment and livability will be immeasurable. The loss of green space and flood mitigation will potentially increase the likelihood of impacts from weather events. The parking issues and access to the property will be severely impacted by the increased patronage of the area, particularly when there are major sporting or entertainment events on at McDonald Jones Stadium. This site is completely inappropriate to the local residents and should not be approved to proceed.

I strongly support the concept of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. It's clear from the demand for indoor sporting space that there isn't enough in Newcastle. The old basketball stadium is decrepit. Like lots of Newcastle.

As a keen futsal supporter, I am very aware of the lack of available space across Newcastle and the Hunter for indoor court space. In principle I support the creation of a new fit for purpose space for basketball, futsal, pickleball etc.

However, the location is a shockingly poor choice. There are several other large spaces in and around the Broadmeadow area that would be better. The Blackley and Wallarah ovals are part of an incredible green corridor that stretches from the stadium all the way to Harry Edwards oval. Don't let this wonderful community resource disappear. Better to rip up and/or rehabilitate flat space on the eastern side of Styx Creek closer to Broadmeadow. How about opposite Richardson Park? There must be better alternatives.

I have been playing and coaching at Newcastle basketball for over 50 years and have watched the sport grow from strength to strength with massive demands on the venue from local, state and National sporting and cultural bodies. The current venue is totally inadeqate to cope with the modern demands of our community.

I support the project. A stadium of this size is way overdue for our region. We will finally be able to hold national and international tournaments. Thank you

I am currently an active member of Newcastle Basketball and play in the local Thursday night competition for women. I have attended all information sessions that the Board has organised. The State Government has already rezoned the land for housing and the lease for the Basketball Stadium has been reduced to end in 2028 with options to extend but we need a new facility and the State Government has allocated the sporting fields opposite the Macdonald Jones Rugby League stadium. The current sports who use the sporting fields such as Cricket and Soccer are continually having to cancel games and matches due to the flooding of the fields. They are very happy to be allocated to new sporting fields and facilities as will be provided by Newcastle Council. The new stadium according to the plans which are on public display, have had to address the flooding issues in these fields. The new stadium will enhance the surrounding area and provide a much needed national and international sporting facility for the people of Newcastle and the surrounding areas. This facility is long overdue. I support the Project 100 percent. Thankyou

No objections.

Time and appropriate (and lack thereof) locations are exhausted. Newcastle has very high demand for indoor sports with many participants, mostly children, missing out on mid week competitions due to capacity restraints. The project plan has respectfully considered all stakeholders.

There are a lack of basketball courts in the hunter region and the current courts at broadmeadow are no longer fit for purpose. I fully support development of a new stadium at the proposed location.

This development has been needed for a long time, and the basketball community deserve a sustainable future in Newcastle so we can continue to grow the sport and make it inclusive for everyone!

The stadium is breaking down, it’s not big enough for all indoor sports and children to participate in.

A new venue is much needed for the Newcastle basketball community.

It's sad that junior & senior players are getting turned away from the sport as there's no space to accommodate the growth. Competitions fill within a couple of days and if you aren't in quick you miss out. This is not how it should be in NSW.
The current basketball facilities in Newcastle are not fit for purpose anymore. It is crazy that an indoor sport often has games cancelled due to the rain - that's the current state of the tin shed we play in.
But this isn't just for basketball players, it is for volleyballers and netballers. Not to mention the seniors who play pickleball. This facility is for everyone. All the players of these sports deserve decent facilities.
These facilities will also allow for there to be a WNBL team in Newcastle providing professional pathways for Newcastle women.
Yes it is unfortunate that playing fields / greenspace will need to go to make way for this project but that would be the likelihood wherever it would be built. And this area is not short of playing fields or green space. Within a few minutes walk there is a soccer field, plus Ford, Kentish and Harker Ovals. Behind the trotting track and hockey fields ( across the road ) is a
vast green space. There are many areas of Newcastle worse off than New Lambton for green space. The proposed area is perfect as it creates a perfect sporting precinct - Mcdonald Jones Stadium, the hockey centre and the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre all together.
McDonald Jones Stadium provides a large amount of parking which could be used for the HISC on the majority of days and nights where no events are at the stadium.
It is time for the bullet to be bitten and build this venue. No matter where it is proposed there will be NIMBY opposition as was seen with the original proposed site in Hillsborough.
The NSW Government is turning Broadmeadow into a high density area - if you want to grow the population you need to grow the facilities for the people.

The current State of the basketball facilities in Newcastle are a disgrace. For the states 2nd largest city to have to play a fast growing and popular sport out of a tin shed is not becoming of NSW.
The amount of kids and adults playing ( or seeking to play ) far outweighs the capacity of the current facilities. And this isn't just for basketball, it is for other sports such as volleyball and netball. Surely the participants of all of these sports deserve modern and appropriate facilities.
One of the great arguments against this is the loss of green space. However, there is no lack of green space in the area. Within a couple of hundred metres you have Ford, Kentish and Harker Ovals - 2 very large playing areas. Maybe a study could be done on the fields proposed to be lost for this facility to see how often they are used. I suggest the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre would be used much more than the current usage. In fact this would fit in well with the stadium across the road to form a proper sports precinct.
Money was allocated for this facility in 2020 during COVID. It is time to bite the bullet and greenlight the construction for the good of the overall communities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

This is a valuable asset to all sporting groups which is crucial to encourage more player participation.
Travelling to this facility from a regional area (Coffs Harbour) will benefit many families as wet weather cancellations will not be a factor.