Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)

There is insufficient parking for major events in this area currently. The ovals are used by Lambton High School, sporting clubs and the community. It is disgrace that these venues are to be lost to one selfish group which has little benefit to the whole populus.

I strongly object to the proposed development of a large basketball and indoor sports centre on Wallarah No 1 and 2 Ovals and Blackley Oval. The proposal presents serious risks and negative consequences for the local community, which have not been adequately addressed in the planning documents. The three primary concerns are outlined below.
1. Flooding Risk
The site has long been recognised as a flood zone, with local homes inundated during the 2007 Pasha Bulker storm. At present, the ovals function as a natural flood buffer, absorbing excess rainwater and reducing stormwater runoff. Replacing this green space with concrete and a vast roof will exacerbate flood risks for nearby residents. Even the developer’s own flood report acknowledges car park flooding and requires radical measures such as evacuation to a mezzanine floor and car park bollards. Overflow runoff directed to Ker-Rai Creek will likely cause rapid rises in water levels, increasing the likelihood of inundation of surrounding homes. Crucially, there has been no assessment of the impact on Lambton High School, local sporting clubs, or nearby residents. This oversight is unacceptable given the implications for safety, property damage, and increased insurance premiums.
2. Loss of Green Space and Community Impact
The proposed development would remove vital community green space. These ovals are heavily used by Lambton High School’s 1,200 students for curriculum sports, lunchtime activities, and as their emergency evacuation area. The school’s physical education program would be severely disrupted, with the loss of up to 1,200 minutes of class time per year if students must travel off-site for basic sporting activities. The mental health benefits of informal green space for young people—reducing stress and supporting social connections—would also be stripped away. Beyond the school, the ovals serve cricket, soccer, touch football, medieval groups, and the general public. Relocating these activities would undermine local sport, convenience, and accessibility, potentially leading to declining participation. To allocate this space solely to a basketball facility is unreasonable and inequitable.
3. Traffic and Parking Congestion
Traffic in the area is already heavily congested, particularly during school pick-up, work commute hours, and events at McDonald Jones Stadium or the Hockey Fields. The proposal anticipates up to 500 people arriving per hour at peak times, yet provides only 220 car parks. This shortfall will force overflow parking into narrow residential streets such as Hitchcock Avenue, creating safety hazards and potentially blocking emergency services. The development would also funnel traffic into nearby streets like Young, Womboin, Wallarah, and Monash, which were not included in the traffic study. The assertion that additional traffic impacts will be minimal is not credible, particularly given Newcastle Basketball’s own attendance estimates.


The proposed stadium poses unacceptable risks to local residents through increased flooding, removes vital community green space used daily by Lambton High School and other groups, and will cause severe traffic and parking congestion in an already overburdened precinct. These impacts clearly outweigh any potential benefits. I urge that this proposal be rejected in favour of alternatives that do not compromise flood safety, community wellbeing, and existing sporting activity.

I made a submission last time and my concerns have not been addressed.
Traffic Chaos: As a local resident I have a good understanding of the local road network and how congested the area becomes when the Knights, Jets, hockey and concerts are on. The left turn in and out of Turton Rd is a logistical nightmare. In the Basketball response to submissions, I see the boom gates into the car park are back in and the turning lane is gone which could lead to traffic back up on Turton Road.
The $90 million price tag and likelihood of funding this: I remain very concerned that the funding will never be generated for the extra $60+ million dollars needed to complete this project. In Basketball’s response to submissions there is no update on the funding secured or on the cost to date. I am worried only half a stadium will be built.
Loss of Green space for the 1200 students of Lambton High School: The Lambton High School students use the green space to play informal sport on or just sit outside with friends. If this green space disappears the student’s closest unlocked oval is Kentish or Ford which requires crossing a road. This means always 2 teachers. Teachers are already at capacity and will struggle to facilitate students access to this green space at lunch time.

Regarding this proposal I am opposing it again because I don't see any evidence of the issues I raised last time being addressed.
My main concern is traffic in the area and how busy the road network is. As someone who works in an office located 2 km from the proposal and am out and about in the car all day driving around this area it is already very congested at peak times. I have been told the peak time for basketball is between 4pm-9pm Monday to Friday which is when the roads are already at their busiest with people driving kids around, trying to get home from work etc. I am concerned with the one way in and out on Turton rd cars will be lined up to get in and block the road and others will be trying to come from different directions, will do illegal u turns, will double park to drop kids off etc. These are all behaviors regularly seen by the current users of the oval (soccer) which is only 2 days a week - I hate to think when this is every day. This area is traffic chaos when there is footy on.
Turton rd is a busy state road and has recently flooded twice this year resulting in closure in May due to water over the road. The drain flows over too. This will not be lessened by concreting over the natural absorption, that being the grassy ovals. All the flood modelling tries to suggest it will not be an issue but common sense would tell you otherwise. The swale/flood measure is unlikely to be effective as the drain fills very quickly.
Please reconsider this project on this site. It is a disaster waiting to happen - a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist is likely to be injured or killed. Please see my photos for real time experience

I vehemently object to the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre project.

Me along with 483 other objectors from a total of 667 submissions - if this isnt a barrage of red flags then I do not know what is. The number of objections in the first round alone screams that stakeholders and residents will fight this development at any cost. Why? Because our homes and yards flood each time there is even just a short 30 minute downpour, the drainage in this neighbourhood is entirely and totally inadequate as it is, cover the greenspace which acts as a sponge and residents homes will simply flood. As it is we are paying ridiculous amounts for insurance and increasingly insurers will NOT insure residents in this part of New Lambton due to the unmitigated flood risks. More development will simply exacerbate an already critical flooding problem.

How in good conscience can any government department, council or planning authority allow this development to proceed on this parcel of community greenspace. I would suggest those making the decisions bring themselves to this part of the world on a game/event day or on a wet day at the stadium immediately across the road from the proposed development site and see for themselves the absolute chaos already occurring on Turton Road between the Gully Line and Griffiths Road intersection with people and cars. There are no words for it. I've attached images which cannot adequately convey the gravity of the traffic, noise, flooding and PARKING problem already occurring on this strip. Allowing development which will almost completely take over the existing greenspace, taking away the natural drainage the ovals provide in frequently increasing times of rain and introducing yet more vehicular and pedestrian traffic to this street is simply untenable.

In the amended DA, the relocation of the building footprint and carparking being relocated 19.5 metres west with increased setback from Turton Road and leaving a token green corridor between the development and the street is just offensive at best. Really, thanks for nothing. The rebuttals by the Basketball Association of Newcastle are implausible, they have allowed a piddling sized area of greenspace to appease the nasty residents opposing the development and protecting their right to what little quiet enjoyment they have. The height of the building has increased I note since the first development application. I mean really, why stop why not build a skyscraper and leave not a blade of grass and invite patrons to park in residents driveways.

The suggestion that overflow parking for up to 1700 people is available in the adjacent streets. This has to be the biggest joke of all. Take a look at my pictures and self determine whether parking spaces will somehow miraculously appear in these already crowded and parked out streets with yet more attendees for yet another sporting complex. I promise you they will not. Full is full no matter how you frame it. The surrounding streets will not be able to accommodate the these overflow vehicles if this development gets the go ahead and I sincerely hope that it does not.

As it is, residents have to deal with spectators parking across our driveways, parking right on the edge of streets not leaving the legally required space from the corner, blindly walking in front of traffic to cross roads before and after games and events, and we battle to get in and out of our own properties because of the chaos that ensues with big crowds streaming out of the stadium. Bringing yet another sporting code and facility to this area will be a complete failure by government and planning authorities alike to 'read the room'. Take it where it will be out of the way and the development will not overtake an already crowded street.
 
The Applicant's traffic consultants have concluded that 'no to minor extra delays would be expected across most surrounding intersections' if the proposal was to go ahead. In what universe? Tweaking the traffic lights at the Griffiths Road intersection will do little to alleviate the vehicular congestion nor the delays on Turton Road given that it is a main arterial roadway and the delays will be significant with a projected 417 extra movements during peak hour traffic and events. And that number is a prediction only. Where is the modelling? Boomgates into the complex carpark and a turning lane are gone in the updated DA. I mean really.

Comments from the Applicant about Lambton High being able to use Arthur Edden Oval and Harker Oval fail to note that these ovals are locked, the school does not have an agreement for use of these ovals at all much less during school hours/school weeks. With a distance of only 6 metres between the school boundary and the proposed construction zone, the school will endure years of disruption during construction and then ongoing noise, traffic and congestion once the facility opens. Add to that that the school would effectively be boxed in with view to a ‘wall of complex’, as would residents in the residental apartments which currently look over the greenspace. Add to that the height of the building has increased. No thanks. Aside from the school losing access to greenspace what about all the codes that use the ovals for sports that are played on wait for it - GRASS? An indoor facility will not replace what will be lost outdoor amenity.

A mooted 80 carparks on poor little Monash Road, yet its not tarred and guttered and yet the Applicant has stated they wont be doing this. Fine. They should not in good conscience then rely on including those 80 spots in the carspace count. Suggestions that people can use McDonald Jones Stadium, Richardson Park, the Entertainment Centre and Wanderers oval to park – however some cannot be used in wet weather AND some of these locations form part of the Broadmeadow Strategy so relying on these locations in the long term is untenable because the entire precinct (which thankfully excludes the ovals and this development) will be overhauled as part of the strategy. There can be no reliance on the availability or the benefit of parking in someone else’s patch and this is what the Applicant is suggesting.

Despite all the pretty concept designs and the promises and suggestions the Application doesn’t even scratch the surface of Flood Mitigation in relation to residents homes. The Application seemingly focuses on the safety of the patrons and the complex itself. Nevermind the residents who will without a doubt have to deal with the ongoing consequences of development through frequent inundation of their properties. This is completely unacceptable. Developing the parcel of greenspace adds a very sizeable concrete footprint and when the rain falls it runs off hard surfaces…right on to the streets, and then into the front yards and into the homes of residents because it literally has nowhere to go. A few token flood detention basins which will release into the already woefully inadequate stormwater channel anyway will contribute to the flooding, not alleviate it in any way.

Turton Road has been closed during every single East Coast Low that has occurred in 2024 and 2025 – how do I know because I rang emergency services to cordon off the roads so that morons don’t attempt to drive thru the high floodwaters at speed causing wave-like backwash into properties, then stall and begin to float away. It is a drain (pardon the pun) on the emergency services and on residents who are out in the rain helping people out of their stalled vehicles and to safety. I hate to say it but this is a LIVED experience for me and others on this street. Inadequate stormwater drainage is a huge and ongoing issue for residents of this neighbourhood because it is quite literally criss crossed with stormwater channels of grossly inadequate capacity which cannot cope with the increase in development and expanding infrastructure. Enter the Basketball Association of Newcastle wearing rose coloured glasses with a proposed you-beaut development that would absolutely and exponentially add to the existing flood risk. Are they proposing to pay for increased home insurance premiums as a kickback for building the complex?

The lack of consultation with the community is astounding. The Applicant has not listened to the community, nor our concerns. There is a distinct air of tokenism about the engagement the Applicant has had with the community. Where are the two promised drop in sessions for residents and the community.

No one is objecting to more sporting facilities but not ever on the proposed site. Take it elsewhere. Its ridiculous in the extreme that a dedicated greenspace in a populous suburb in Newcastle is the only suitable location. Take it away, Turton Road cannot absorb any more activity believe it or not. The proposed grandstand boasts seating for 2500 people, WHERE are they going to park?

The flood assessment being carried out by someone who has no expertise in flood assessments by his own admission. This is just a joke. As is the 'consultation' the basketball folks purport to have had with residents. How difficult is it to understand that there is a significant objection to the development in this location.

The HISC is the replacement for the aging Newcastle Basketball Centre and will secure the long-term future of indoor sport in the region. Beyond its sporting benefits, the project plays a key role in advancing the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, by paving the way for essential new housing and urban renewal in the area.
It will support a range of sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, netball, futsal, and pickleball. The facility is designed to be fully accessible and inclusive, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can be physically and socially active in a community atmosphere.

I made a submission last time and I am sad to read many of the issues have not been addressed and in some instances, have been made worse.
My family live 180m from the development site and have done for over 20 years. My daughter specifically doesn’t plan birthdays etc when the Football stadium is in use because of how chaotic the area becomes. I have been at her house when her driveway has been parked across. Bringing another major stadium into the area amongst the high school and family homes is madness and very unkind to local families. The overflow strategy being park in adjacent streets is totally unacceptable. I live in Sydney, not far from Homebush / Olympic park and have been to many functions there… netball, tennis… there are at least 6 multilevel car parks. There are units on the outskirts but not family homes and ample parking that people’s streets aren’t being parked out. When the Knights are on people just wander down the road. It’s so dangerous, public safety is an issue.
I watched my family have to move out of their home for 6 months following the floods of 2007. I know my daughter regularly checks on the stormwater drain in periods of heavy rain. She recently had surgery and on her first night home it poured and the drain was flowing over, water was encroaching on her back step and she was scared they were going to have to evacuate. Moving the big concrete building 19.5m back won’t help the ovals be more absorbent. The swale, otherwise known as bog, will be of little assistance when the water is flowing on Turton rd as happened in May when the road was closed. These things have been minimised and no one has spoken to the residents about the very reality of how quickly the drain fills.
My grandsons went to lambton high and one is very sporty and was out playing footy with his mates every day. The other one is autistic and has a sensitivity to noise, he would have greatly struggled with the construction noise if he was still at the school.
And lastly, the complete ignoring of the residents is simply distressing. I was at the public rally in august 2024… the community made it very clear how they felt about this and tried to raise concerns but very few people have listened. Newcastle basketball have denied them an opportunity for real engagement or consultancy.
It’s for all these reasons that I ask you to please consider the impact on people’s livelihoods if this was to go ahead. Basketball need a stadium for sure but build it where it can expand and won’t impact so many people

Photos of flooding and traffic madness

I support the project to create a space for the community to use indoors for sports like basketball, volleyball and pickle ball. Great location close to the sporting precinct.

I support the project and the location due to the growing need for an indoor sporting facility in the region for all sports.

The revised plans are considerate for the local area and meet the necessary requirements. There is no longer an excuse to reject this proposal due to traffic and loss of green when we are about to loose an entire community of basketball families, fans and players.

Our community deserves a space where all ages can come together and enjoy a range of sports in an accessible and safe environment.

The HISC is an appropriate replacement for the aging Newcastle Basketball Centre and will secure the long-term future of indoor sport in the region. Beyond its sporting benefits, the project plays a key role in advancing the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, by paving the way for essential new housing and urban renewal in the area.
It will support a range of sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, netball, futsal, and pickleball. The facility is designed to be fully accessible and inclusive, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can be physically and socially active in a community atmosphere.

I would like to say that I DO NOT support the proposal to build a new basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackley ovals, the reasons being,
Flooding
These ovals have served and demonstrated for many years that they are a flood detention basin,during periods of heavy rain they have not only absorbed rain but they have also acted as run off catchment for Ker-Rai Creek. They have also on many occasions helped to stop Turton road from flooding as these ovals sit lower than Turton road.
I live on the corner of Avondale and Hobart Rd new lambton which is about 1km from the centre of Wallarah and blackley ovals, Ker-Rai Creek is behind the houses across the road from me,about 50 mtrs away. It only takes a 20-30min downpour for the Creek to back up from the bridge on Turton road then Hobart Rd, Avondale Rd, Tyrone Rd and surrounding streets become flooded, please see attached photos, in just over 20yrs I've lived here this has happened at least 15 times,every time it happens now Newcastle police block the road and redirect traffic. If Newcastle basketball are allowed to build on these ovals they will have to be built higher than Turton road so they don't get flooded themselves and Newcastle basketball knows their proposed site floods because in their reply to submission they have stated that they will move their patrons up to a mezzanine floor, they are proposing this stadium is going to hold 2500 people,that's a lot to evacuate in under an hour to a mezzanine floor, in their R.T.S they have also stated that they are going to place bollards in the carpark to stop cars being washed into the creek, if they are expecting water to run that quickly across their carpark surely they can see it's going to flood the houses on Monash and Turton road, not to mention Turton road itself.
Traffic
Turton road is a extremely busy Rd,during which when there's a event at McDonald Jones stadium surrounding streets are closed and traffic comes to a standstill, there is not enough parking available at McDonald Jones stadium so therefore all the neighbouring streets become congested, I live about 1.4kms from the stadium and my street becomes jam packed with cars,I and my neighbours have had our driveways blocked on more than one occasion, it is quite common to see Newcastle council Rangers booking cars up and down the street, this situation becomes much worse if the hockey is on at the same time. One could only imagine if we had to cope with a 2500 basketball crowd also,in Newcastle basketball RTS when they were told they could not use McDonald Jones stadium carpark their reply was they would use surrounding streets. A lot of houses in the area only have on street parking so if you go out it's a long walk back home,I'm stating this from experience.
Green space
Newcastle basketball have stated in their RTS that there's plenty of other Green space in the area,there is but it's all used by other sporting codes,kentish oval has cricket and football during their relative seasons. Harder oval is reserved for the higher grades in these sports and is not available to the general public. With leaves Wallarah and blackley ovals, every Saturday these ovals are crowded with junior sports, cricket, footy and soccer,the toilets,change rooms and other facilities are fairly new and modern and are one of a few suitable for young girls taking up sports. Different codes train on these ovals are couple of times a week and if the kids loose these ovals it may well end their sport if their parents have to travel far.
On top of this,Lambton high school students use these grounds each and every school day,not only for lunch time run around but also school sports.
In conclusion, I totally agree Newcastle basketball needs a new basketball stadium, but I totally disagree that it should be built on those ovals.
Thank you.

I think this is a really good idea! The placement could not be chosen any better! This addition to the sport precinct will do so much good for the community and youth development in sport!

The physical, mental, and social benefits of team sports are well recognised. Basketball, in particular, is one of the most popular team sports in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region. However, despite strong community interest, many children are being turned away each season due to a lack of available courts. Adults are also impacted, with games frequently scheduled after 9 PM on weeknights due to limited venue availability. On top of that, games are regularly cancelled during periods of heavy rain because of leaking roofs, leading to widespread frustration among players and families.

In recent years, extended periods of wet weather have also disrupted outdoor sports across the region. As the impacts of climate change become more apparent, this problem is only expected to worsen—particularly for winter sports.

Our community urgently needs more indoor sporting facilities. The demand is clear, the benefits are undeniable, and the time to act is now. Let’s invest in this project and give our community the sporting infrastructure it needs and deserves.

I have reviewed the submission and amendments and I believe that the project has been significantly strengthened through this process.

This proposed development is in its essence a high priority for the Newcastle community at large. I encourage the assessors to consider the great needs in the area for this type of facility. Basketball is a growing sport in the region and there is desperate need for a new stadium. This need far exceeds the claims by other groups for the use of the land in its current form.

An approval now will show forward thinking and good stewardship for future generations.

I object to the site for the proposed basketball stadium.
There has been a complete lack of community consultation about the impact of residents in the surrounding communities.

First objection is increased traffic congestion on streets that are not equipped to cope and already struggle when single events are on at McDonald Jones Stadium not to mention when the multiple sporting precincts surrounding it all have events on the one day.
I object to the additional traffic flow and changes with more traffic to be diverted up my own street. Young road is a single lane road already busy. Have you seen the condition of the road? Already continually having to contact council to fix up pot holes can only imagine what additional traffic flow will have further impact on poor road surface.
I object to the additional noise created by traffic congestion and vibrational noise from the stadium. I have recently had a noise abatement study attended at my property by NSW government department currently at 52 decibels, not too far off the 65 decibels requiring action. Will you be offering all local residents noise abatement strategies e.g double glazing at your cost when traffic increases? We also don’t need more traffic on our surrounding arterial roads.
Furthermore and it is no secret you are building on a site prone to flooding. I have lived here for over 25 years and it floods quickly and impacts surrounding streets. Without the grass to reduce some of the impact this will pose great risk to local communities and homes.
Environmental impacts also needs to be considered a number of species are often seen on this site. Furthermore the community can not afford the loss of green space which will be even more precious when high density housing planned for the Broadmeadow precinct. Where will these families come together to play outdoor sports, walk the dog , throw the frisbee? The benefits of fresh air, vitamin D and wellbeing are well documented.
It is also logic with increasing housing plans a greater population of children will be attending the local high school at Lambton High which currently uses this site. Where do they play or what is the fire Evacuation plan now?
These fields are used by local sporting club servicing well patronised clubs both football and cricket. Already there is a shortage of ground space in Lambton. It makes no sense to take more.
I object to the additional height of the new proposal, shadowing and cosmetic concrete jungle. This is a small residential suburb not an industrial area.
Lastly I strongly object to this site it is not the place the surrounding streets are no where near equipped to cope. It poses a significant safety risk to residents and pedestrians in the area with traffic.
The hours of opening are long traffic noise will be late and antisocial behaviour a risk particularly with poor bus network.
You need to find another site this is not the place.

This is a really important step forward in improving infrastructure for Newcastle basketball which is very long overdue. We are way behind other regional centres in NSW currently and cannot provide what is required for the development of our young basketballers with current facilities. There will always be opposition and locals complaining about plans wherever the proposed site is. We should not waste any more time and money with new proposals, it is time to get the job done and show that Newcastle is a powerhouse for sport

I wish to put in writing my strong objection to the proposal to build the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre at Wallarah Ovals.

The initial proposal by Newcastle Basketball resulted in a significant number of issues which can broadly be summarized as flooding concerns, traffic concerns, and the impact of the loss of green space for the community, existing sporting groups and the nearby high school. I can see nothing in the amended report which has addressed these concerns in any meaningful way. In fact in many ways the new proposals even worsen some issues. It represents a very biased and blinkered mind set by Newcastle Basketball that seems to reflect the fact that they want the stadium built and seemingly care little about the impact on community, school and nearby residents. The amended report states that ‘no adverse environmental, social or economic impact will result from the proposal’ This statement is clearly untrue. It would almost be laughable but for the seriousness of the situation.

Flooding – the amended report proposes the solution to reducing the flood risk of building a construction of this magnitude in what is already an area with flooding issues is to now move the site of the stadium 19.5 meters to the west. How does this stop the flooding? Does it somehow not rain 19.5 metres to the west of the original proposed site?

Currently the ovals act as a large green space and help absorb any rainfall. Taking this away and concreting the site will only cause more flooding issues in a residential area that already has a history of flooding. Furthermore the amended plan now removes the proposed open green space to the west of the site. More concrete and less green space can only increase the flood risk of the area.

In the same suburb as the proposed stadium, a whole street has recently had to be shut down and evacuated with residents unable to return to their homes due to a landslide cause by recent rains. Are more residents going to have to live with a similar risk because a stadium has been built in a completely unsuitable location?

Traffic concerns – Wallarah and Blackley ovals are surrounded by residential housing. The roads around this area were not built or designed to cope with the additional traffic and parking demands that building a stadium at this location will result in. Close to the ovals sits McDonald Jones Stadium which is home to both the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets. On home games these surrounding streets fill up with cars parking to visit the stadium. The car park for the proposed stadium is simply not big enough to cope with the expected users of the stadium. In the initial proposal, Newcastle Basketball suggested that they would use the McDonald Jones Stadium carpark as an overflow. This has been rejected by McDonald Jones Stadium as an option. The amended proposal now states that visitors will just use the surrounding streets as an overflow. This is only going to cause more parking and traffic issues on what is a residential area. Quite simply a construction like this should be built in a dedicated sporting, entertainment or business precincts with sufficient parking, multiple entry and exit points and appropriate traffic infrastructure. They should not be built next to a school in a residential area.

The amended report proposes the solution to the traffic concerns is to move the only entry/exit point 3 metres south. How does this have any meaningful impact on the traffic concerns? If anything it even makes matters worse at it puts the entry point closer to the main pedestrian crossing point to McDonald Jones stadium.

Loss of green space – Under this amended proposal the entire ovals, which are regularly used by Lambton High School, soccer clubs, cricket clubs and the community in general, will now be lost with the exception of a small strip of green space right next to Turton Road. How is having the ovals reduced to a small narrow strip of green space right next to a main road supposed to be a benefit to the community? Are children supposed to play and kick a ball around on a small patch of green space right next to a 4 lane major road?

The fact that the ovals are used on a daily basis during school term by Lambton High School is reason on its own to reject the proposed stadium being built on Wallarah and Blackley ovals. Students need access to green space and to be able to escape the classroom for both their physical and mental health. They need a safe evacuation point. They do not need a construction site next door for several years and then a huge stadium.

Newcastle Basketball claim that they are a growing sport and need a bigger facility in order to cope with rising demand. However I would imagine that pretty much every sport in Australia is a growing sport. We have a growing population after all and so there is nothing unique in basketballs claim that they are growing and therefore deserve priority over other sporting codes. The ovals are currently used by soccer clubs and cricket clubs. Two sporting codes who are the current and long term users of this site should not lose out to new sporting code who decide they want to take over the ovals.

Green space is a very precious commodity for any suburb to have. It should not be developed on without very careful consideration and indisputable proof that it is for the betterment of the suburb. I fail to see how this is the case with the proposed basketball stadium.

In addition to the issues mentioned above, I also have concerns with the funding. There is a huge shortfall between what Newcastle Basketball have been awarded for the build compared to the expected cost of building the stadium. With the 25/26 NSW state budget already projected to show a $3.4 billion deficit. Are they going to commit the further funds necessary to build what will likely end up being an over $100million stadium? I certainly hope that my government is more fiscally responsible than this.

Furthermore the simple maths of building a $100million stadium so that 5,000 basketball players in Newcastle have new courts to play on is simply too extravagant. It equates to the State basically paying $20,000 per basketball player. Is the state also going to spend $20,000 on every soccer, cricket, rugby league, tennis, hockey, rugby union etc player in Newcastle too? There seems to be a very real risk that, if approved, the ovals will be ripped up and destroyed but the basketball stadium will be half built due to lack of funds.

Finally I think it is very telling that no one seems to be taking responsibility for proposing Wallarah and Blackley Ovals as suitable site for the stadium. The State is claiming that it is a decision made by Newcastle City Council. The Council however are stating it is a State project, nothing to do with them and are seemingly trying their best to distance themselves from it. The site is so unsuitable for the stadium that no one wants to be associated with it. If this really was a good site for the stadium, good for the community, good for basketball, good for all the parties involved, you would think that the State and City Council would be almost fighting each other to claim credit for it.

The fact of the matter is that Wallarah and Blackley Ovals are a very poor location to build the basketball stadium and it is fraught with issues that cannot be resolved. If common sense does not prevail and the site is somehow approved, will the government be exposed to compensation for reducing surrounding property prices or compensation due to the flood damage as a result of increased flooding the HISC will potentially cause? How will it look for the government if a child is killed in a traffic accident caused by the thousands of extra cars that will now be forced into residential streets near a school? Who is going to be held responsible if children are unable to be safely evacuated from Lambton High School because the stadium has turned the current evacuation zone into a construction site. Is it really worth risking all of this just to build a basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals?
The proposal should be rejected and a search for a better location for the stadium should be undertaken. I note that Newcastle Basketball have a lease on their current stadium until 2038. As such this is ample time to work with the State government and find a more appropriate site for the location.

A new indoor sports facility is a necessary investment in the community’s future. It addresses urgent infrastructure issues, supports inclusion and wellbeing, and brings long-term social and economic benefits. The current Newcastle stadium is no longer fit for purpose and has significant safety issues. This project is well overdue and should be supported in the strongest possible terms.