Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

I strongly object to this proposal. The Wallarah Oval complex, has provided the community, the Hunter region and Lambton Highschool an area which has been utilised for many, many years to host various sporting events, development squads, fitness programs, community and charity events. It is one of the rare pieces of green spaces left in the area, where children, students and people of all ages can come together, to enjoy competitive team sports and is used by schools and various sporting codes, during the week and on weekends. As a grandparent, I have attended many sporting events that my children and now my grandchildren have participated, at Wallarah Oval. Please do not destroy this well utilised outdoor, green space for all the community and surrounding areas, to enjoy. This is the wrong place for an indoor facility, to be used by a small percentage of people.
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I object to the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre being located on the existing Blackley and Wallarah Ovals.

I believe that the site is inappropriate. The traffic congestion experienced daily on Turton And Griffiths Roads is already exacerbated
when NRL games are held at the McDonald Jones stadium. Parking is totally inadequate and cars fill all the surrounding streets. A new sports centre would make the problem worse.

The ovals provide a recreational space for local residents. They are also used by various sporting teams and the students of Lambton High School. I think it is unreasonable that the Newcastle Basketball Association should be given this area at the expense of other community groups. The ovals are also a haven for local birds who feed there regularly. With the new housing areas planned for the Broad meadow Precinct this precious green space should be preserved.

The existing cycle /walking path beside the ovals is heavily patronised and would be adversely affected by vehicular access into the proposed complex. The ovals are also located next to the stormwater drain which quickly fills during periods of heavy rain.

The building of this centre would also change the open views of the school community and the residents of the nearby houses. I believe it would also adversely affect the values of the residents' properties.

In my opinion another site should be found for this project. As redevelopment of the Broadmeadow area is already in the planning process I think the centre could be built somewhere within the area bordered by Turton, Lambton, Griffiths and Brown Roads. Another option might be to locate it near the existing Glendale Sports Centre.

Please find attached

Basketball NSW support the much-needed construction of Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC).
Basketball is thriving in Australia and the Hunter region. Basketball is the number one sport in Sporting Schools in the NSW and the number 2 team sport NSW as well as in Australia.
The current stadium at Broadmeadow was built over 55 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. The 10,000 strong cohort need and demand a facility meeting the requirements of a contemporary sport. Newcastle’s ageing indoor sports facility has reached capacity and no longer meets the standards expected by today’s players and communities. With more than 20 courts needed to adequately serve the lower Hunter region, a new indoor sports facility is essential for meeting the needs of local athletes and residents.
The HISC project is more than just a solution for Newcastle Basketball’s members; it is a regional opportunity to foster community connections, increase opportunities for women’s sports and disability access, and promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for all ages. The current stadium, located at Broadmeadow, must be vacated by early 2028 as part of the Broadmeadow Place redevelopment, leaving thousands of users across basketball, volleyball, pickleball, school sports, and other community groups without a place to play if no replacement facility is secured.
As a State Sporting Organisation, Basketball NSW stands with Newcastle Basketball in their journey to secure this new facility. Since 2019, extensive work has been done to explore viable sites across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, culminating in the current proposed location as the only feasible option. An estimated $1+ million has already been invested in planning and environmental assessments, all designed to address community needs and meet contemporary standards.

The State Significant Development Application (SSDA), submission includes over 45 expert reports prepared in collaboration with the City of Newcastle and is as such substantive in its support of the project and location.
Basketball NSW put all its support behind this project in New Lambton, which will not only see a new facility for basketball and other indoor sports being completed – the facility is further planned to be of regional significance and will act as the regional “Hunter Excellence Hub” for basketball. This will continue to build on Newcastle’s rich heritage in developing talent as well as the opportunity to re-establish elite teams playing at the highest level of the sport in Australia in the city where the National Basketball League once started. A delay to this once in life-time project which is already behind plan will see the state funding at high risk of being withdrawn which will put the whole project in jeopardy and the $1m+ already spent going to waste.
Broadmeadow will from 2028 see significant development through the Broadmeadow Places strategy which is currently in draft. This will see the precinct rezoned with major development for new housing and community services. This facility fits nicely into these plans but must be completed prior to 2028 otherwise 10,000 people + will be displaced from participating in basketball and other indoor sport.
For the Hunter Region, the HISC project represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish an inclusive, modern sports facility that will benefit the entire community. The facility would support increased court availability, fostering access to sport for thousands of people across the region while helping alleviate the significant shortfall in indoor sports courts.
Basketball NSW urges the State Independent Planning Panel, to support this vital project. Ensuring the future of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre is a shared investment in the region’s wellbeing, community spirit, and the development of indoor sports in New South Wales.
Finally, a project of this magnitude is a flag in the cap for Newcastle and will drive significant money to the local economy over many years. Let us all get behind it and support this project which is much needed and deserved.
Sincerely Yours,
Maria Nordstrom
CEO
Basketball NSW

i don’t want it

please see my attached submission

This facility is long overdue and is a much-needed resource for the greater Newcastle area. Basketball is a growth sport in Australia and has seen a surge in numbers over the last decade. A recent nationwide AusPlay survey revealed that Basketball is the most popular team sport, alongside soccer, for 15 to 24-year-olds and third for participation for 5 to 14-year-olds. Provision of an up-to-date indoor facility in the region is expected to attract 35,000 visitors annually for special events, boosting the local economy, particularly within the Newcastle LGA. One-third of visitors will come from outside the area, spending an average of $144 each. The project will create 260 construction jobs (115 direct) and 91 operational jobs (52 direct). Additionally, relocating Newcastle Basketball will free up the current facility site for redevelopment, supporting the Broadmeadow Place Strategy.
I, myself played basketball at the current basketball stadium around 30 years ago, when I was growing up. Now at around 55 years old, this facility is very run down, outdated and no longer fit for purpose. Games are regularly called off due to rain or extreme heat, and there are not enough courts to house increasing demand for the sport. The poor state of current facilities not only pose a safety risk but also disrupt events and limits the capacity to support sports like Badminton, Futsal, and Netball, which lack adequate indoor spaces in the region. Years of under-investment have left local sports groups without proper facilities. The indoor sports of the Newcastle region have suffered from significant under-investment for decades, and now is the time to correct that imbalance.
My own children now play basketball at the current stadium. Unfortunately, due to lack of court availability my 9 year old daughter and many others, are unable to play over the summer season as the teams were at capacity. If a larger complex was available, more teams would be able to play and this would not be an issue. The government should be supporting opportunities for the people of the Hunter Region to engage in physical activity. This new inclusive facility would enable community members of all ages to access modern, indoor sports facilities for a variety of purposes. With projected population growth in the region, the HISC is a timely investment to meet future demand and promote greater community engagement and well-being.
I strongly encourage you to support this development.

It is time to build a new future for Newcastle that includes facilities that are going to have a lasting impact on the community. The location of the stadium makes sense and will work in well with Newcastle council’s proposal for a medium density housing and shops precinct in and around this location. Along with a much needed light rail link to provide greater access to this area from Broadmeadow train station and other areas of Newcastle, the location has a chance to become a sporting hub for Newcastle. The sports centre will also provide much needed infrastructure to replace ageing facilities and will bring tourism and greater opportunities for Newcastle residents. This proposal has gone through many gates to this point and has t is now time that our government takes decisive action to finally make these plans a reality.

Newcastle is in desperate need of a venue to accommodate the huge increase in people playing basketball and to provide a comfortable venue for spectators, both for local competitions and representative sport.

We have used the existing stadium for many years and suffered through extreme heat, cancellations due to water coming through the roof, cancellations due to slippery surfaces from humidity, very late games due to lack of courts.

We often travel to alternate locations for games which are much further away.

The proposed location is central to many clubs and not far from the Newcastle sporting precinct. It is a great area for visitors from outside the region to attend sport also and will be an asset to the city of Newcastle.

Regards,
Kelly Freeman

The current stadium was out grown years ago. Please ensure new stadium has easy links to public transport and parking.

I object to the proposal based on the proposed location. While the hunter region is in need of an updated facility, this should never be at the expense of parks and green space. There are plenty of other sites in Newcastle which could be repurposed for this facility.

Myself and my son play basketball and agree the current stadium needs knocking down and a rebuild. However not at the proposed site in Broadmeadow. There is no consideration for other sports taken out during the building phase. The site is a flood zone, lacks parking and doesn't have the infrastructure to back it up. I've also heard that the new stadium will not be built with a full size playing court so cannot hold mens international tournaments. The amount of money being spent should include this so it will make more money in the future and make Newcastle Basketball known internationally and nationally. It would need to provide more courts than they currently have as basketball in the area has outgrown this facility. There is so much land available throughout Lake Macquarie and possibly Newcastle that will not impact other sports or residential areas. The argument of a train line nearby is useless as the majority of the people using the facility are local and drive. Putting it across the road from a well used stadium, near the Entertainment Centre and other major services in the area is creating more traffic in a place that lacks the infrastructure to support it. It would be horrendous getting to any of these facilities if more than one event was on at the same time. A great idea that needs to happen, very poor planning for the location and the lack of consideration to the sports it would impact is disgraceful.

As one of the fastest growing and most popular sports among young people in Newcastle, this project is essential. Its location and design will ensure both they and future are able to access professional standard courts and facilities and will be an asset for Newcastle and surrounding areas for years to come.

The seating for the main court should be expanded to future proof the stadium and complement the growing popularity of basketball within the Newcastle region.

It would not be outrageous to consider that Newcastle may be well poised to enter a team into the national competition given the aforementioned popularity of basketball and the significant population growth being experienced currently and that is projected to continue into the future.

Generally speaking, the existing stadium is outdated, undersized and a constant frustration to the existing players as a direct result. Irrespective of the seating issue, a new stadium must be built to accommodate the existing players, attract future players and to demonstrate a commitment that the region of Newcastle is serious about supporting basketball and is invested in its future.

Newcastle Basketball Association is one of the biggest sporting organisations in Newcastle. Sadly, the kids who love this sport have to play in a stadium that is leaking & extremely hot in summer. The courts are delpaidated, have dead spots, and really need to be replaced. The new stadium is a great move for Newcastle Basketball and essential to keep the sport moving forwards in our region.

Use the old gas works
There is too much traffic congestion around that area now with the hockey carpark and stadium
Keep the cricket pitches and soccer pitches and the high school grounds as is
No parking around there as it is

I wish to object to the planned HISC Project SSD-65595459. See attached correspondence.

Please find attached my objection to the project

The land being subsumed by this project is used by a number of clusters of people. The users include cricket, soccer and rugby league players, dog walkers, family groups recreating, people training for sports, people playing social sports games, picnic-goers, and Lambton High School PE students. This is a well-used piece of open space which is essential to be kept for the future as the population of Newcastle grows substantially as in the State planning documents.
The prosed Centre is a Basketball Centre, not a multi-sports centre as in the name. There are other venues for indoor sports (Futsal, Netball, Cricket) in Newcastle. Whilst Basketball is a valid and growing game, it is only a small sport compared to the above named sports. Also, it needs to be noted that entry to the proposed Centre will be not be free, but the publics' recreational use of the sports fields is. City of Newcastle ratepayers understand that the Council maintains these grounds (at a high quality) and there is a recurrent cost for this built into the Council budget.
There needs to be concern about the company structure of the proposing entity Newcastle Basketball Association. Are they a for-profit or not-for-profit organisation? If they are for-profit, will they implement expensive entrance and usage fees to satisfy their shareholders? If they are not-for-profit, who will take on the financial risk if the project runs out of funds before completion, or if the entity is poorly managed after completion? Will it be Newcastle City Council ratepayers? Will it be the State Government?
Why take a well-utilised and low-maintenance parcel of open space with is essential fo public health, well-being and family enjoyment of Newcastle residents on the basis that land is required somewhere for high density housing (is it social housing?). Why ruin something good just because a fix is needed somewhere else.
There are many issues with this project and it needs to be rejected.

As a family that participates in Newcastle Basketball activities, we support the development of the new facility. The existing stadium is at end of life and isn’t large enough. It’s not fit for purpose in terms of toilet and hospitality facilities, change rooms, scoring equipment and displays, or accessible thoroughfares and seating for spectators to safely come to watch a game.

The existing poor facilities are putting local kids at a disadvantage and reducing their chance of playing sport. We see the proposed location in the recognised local sporting precinct (that includes hockey, soccer, football etc) as a good choice.

Newcastle is good at preserving green space - we value the local parks and sporting grounds and see that there will still be many if the stadium is to go ahead - there will be green space literally across the road. We understand the the Lambton HS principal is carefully negotiating access to the facility, which will compensate for one less green space for the high school's use for events and activities.

Basketball is experiencing a surge in interest and we understand that Newcastle clubs are turning away players. It’s a shame that those players miss out on the enjoyment, exercise, social connections and benefits of joining and working together as a team.

We know that many people are anxious, isolated and unwell from too little activity. We need more places where community and sporting groups can access affordable, safe and welcoming facilities to bring more of us together more often. It would be a shame and embarrassment if Newcastle lost funding for a replacement stadium because it couldn't agree on the location and need for this indoor sports facility. And it would mean that the 1000s basketball, volleyball and pickleball players would have to find an alternative sport or league, which would divert local talent to other places.

We watched a similar consultation scenario play out in Castlemaine, Victoria where we used to live, where community disagreement resulted in an proposed indoor swimming pool being cancelled. Consequently many now take their talent, money and families to Bendigo to participate in swim sports. No one benefitted in our community from this outcome.

We moved to Newcastle from interstate recently as a basketball loving family and were really excited to hear that a new facility was imminent. We strongly support the project, as proposed.