The project will provide desperately needed indoor sporting infrastructure to better suit a city the size of Newcastle.

I am against the proposed site of the new basketball stadium. I play hockey across the road from the site and it is already too busy on Monash street to park, especially on days when the knights play.
The site is also a lovely green space my young family use to play outdoors.

Attached is my objection to the proposed development of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre on green land of the sites of Blackley and Wallarah Ovals.

This submission requests that the Independent Planning Commission of NSW reject Amended SSD-65595459, concerning the Basketball Association of Newcastle Ltd Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, New Lambton NSW (alternately called Indoor Basketball Stadium).

As the submission was not accepted for uploading directly into the Planning Portal, perhaps because of electronic difficulties due to length, the submission has been emailed to the responsible Officer, Ms Teresa Gizzi.

That Officer has undertaken to attach that document to this objection.

Kind regards,
Name and address witheld.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed development of the basketball stadium.

While I recognize the importance of sports infrastructure and community engagement, this particular project raises serious concerns for local residents, including myself, regarding its environmental, social, and economic impacts. My main objections are outlined below:

1. Traffic Congestion and Parking Problems

The proposed stadium will significantly increase traffic volumes, especially during game days and events. The local road infrastructure is not designed to handle such surges, and there has been no clear plan presented for mitigating the resulting congestion. In addition, the limited availability of parking will likely lead to spillover into residential streets, inconveniencing residents and posing safety risks.

2. Noise and Light Pollution

Events at the stadium, particularly during evenings and weekends, will result in unacceptable levels of noise and light pollution. This will disrupt the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhoods and negatively affect the wellbeing of residents.

3. Displacement and Gentrification

Large-scale developments like this often lead to increased property prices and rents, contributing to the displacement of long-standing residents. Many in our community are already struggling with housing affordability, and this stadium risks accelerating gentrification without offering tangible benefits to those most at risk.

4. Environmental Impact

The environmental consequences of such a large project—especially the loss of green space

It is deeply concerning that this project proposes to displace a range of well-established community clubs, school programs, and multi-sport facilities in favor of a single-code stadium. Basketball, while popular, should not be allowed to dominate local planning decisions based on the perceived prestige or commercial potential of the sport. Community spaces must serve all residents equitably, and prioritizing one sport over others undermines the inclusive and diverse character of our local recreational and educational landscape. Long-standing programs—many of which serve children, families, and vulnerable groups—are at risk of being bulldozed to make way for a project that serves narrower interests.

To Whom it May concern,
My submission relates to the DA lodged for HISC in Lambton NSW.
As a longterm resident and rate payer in the LGA of Newcastle, NSW I feel compelled to submit an objection to the proposed development. I have lived in the area continuously since 1982 (and from 1973- exception of four years).
There are so many compelling reasons why I see this as an extremely poor location for this HSIC that it is difficult to know where to start to address them all.
In stating that, I acknowledge all members of our family have used the existing Basketball Stadium facilities for indoor sports and attended community events in that space. It is undoubtably in need of an update and possible expansion. The current location is better served by transport than the now proposed location.

One observation is, this is a significant development proposed for use by the wider community (renamed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre compared to Newcastle Basketball Stadium). However, there has been an extremely poor attempt to identify those likely impacted by this development and consequently authentic community information sessions or consultation have been lacking.
LOCATION:
The proposed location is currently green space for public use and playing fields for local sporting groups, and provides additional outdoor space and Emergency Evacuation Assembly Point for the adjacent Lambton High School.
If Covid lockdowns taught us anything it is that green space is valuable and necessary for physical and mental health. In addition, and importantly, it helps to keep our cities cooler.
The proposed location is directly across a very busy major arterial road, Turton Rd, from MacDonald Jones Stadium (advertised capacity 33,000 and home of NRL/WNRL Knights teams and Newcastle Jets) and the Newcastle International Hockey Centre – NIHC.
Also located in that area are some smaller sports and gym businesses. A shuttle bus runs from that location to John Hunter Hospital for both health care staff, out patients, visitors and construction workers.
Location is in a residential area.
Co location to the proposed Broadmeadow Precint to be delivered by HCCDC.
Identified in the Executive Summary of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy ”around 40,000 people “ will live in this area.
Why have I mentioned the above under location? Location is everything as all else, as I see it, flows from this.
As a long term resident of the Newcastle LGA and someone who worked for 12 years in Lambton requiring travel between home and work, together with attending MacDonald Jones Stadium regularly for sporting and entertainment events, I confidently state my opinion the proposed development is unsuitable for the location.
Turton Road, as previously stated is a major arterial road. The congestion that occurs with interruption by a major event at MacDonald Jones Stadium poses risks that are already not well managed, imo. In addition, it also floods. There have been two occasions in the past two months.
Parking in residential streets is the norm when there is a major event on. The DA for HISC identifies street parking in the residential area as overflow parking, and also if flooding occurs. Given the hours of operation until 11PM 7dpw this will increase the risk to residents and users of the facilities.
The risks to pedestrians and cyclists are particularly evident, but not limited to, when it is wet and dark. Crossing streets, walking adjacent to storm water drains, weaving around illegally parked cars etc. Emergency vehicle eg Fire Trucks have at times not been able to negotiate these residential streets due to people parked close to corners, both sides of street not originally designed for this. Some local residents, their families and friends are currently often unable to access their own properties (parked out).
Many streets are closed off by ‘traffic control’ causing further traffic confusion and congestion.
The HSIC would exacerbate these risks.
I’m sure many residents in close proximity to the proposed location of HISC will outline their concerns. There are many.

The most comprehensive climate risk assessment ever undertaken in Australia was released this week.
Key takeaways from that report, as well as lived experience of the well documented ‘Pasha Bulka Storm’, suggest the risks make it inconceivable the NSW Government would support the DA lodged for HISC.
Thank you for your attention to my submission.

Newcastle Basketball facilities are totally inadequate and prevent both junior and senior payers participating in the sport. Players are turned away because the facilities cannot cater for additional players. Timeslots are restricted and Newcastle basketball has to utilise facilities in local high schools. The condition of the current stadium is poor and when it rains games have to be cancelled.
There are nearly 400,000 people playing basketball in New South Wales, it should also be noted that there has been a 52% increase in the number of people participating in basketball since 2022. Newcastle Basketball Association has not been able to benefit from the surge in basketball participate due to the lack of adequate facilities. In addition, Newcastle basketball players have been deprived of access to the facilities they need to play the game they love, as Newcastle Basketball Association has not been able to provide the facilities that people need to play the game.
My children played basketball in Newcastle and now my grandchildren are playing there, and the stadium is still exactly the same as it was 40 years ago. This is a disgrace, it was leaking then and it is still leaking.
It is important to note that both Federal and State Governments have invested heavily in local sporting infrastructure with multimillion dollar upgrades to facilities and relocation of sporting facilities.
As well as the condition of the current stadium, it is important to note that the area where the current stadium is situated is earmarked as a site to facilitate housing over the next 5 to 10 years, which means the stadium needs to be demolished. This means there will be NO basketball facility in Newcastle and all the juniors who choose basketball as their sport will be deprived of being able to participate in the sport, as will the seniors.
The ability to participate in sport impacts on health, and the inability to engage in sport leads to poorer health outcomes, this is supported by a plethora of research and health data. It cannot be assumed that if a person cannot access the sport of their choosing, they will engage in another sport.
Newcastle Basketball Association has investigated many sites to relocate their facility to, but they were all unsuitable. The current proposal has been modified taking into account concerns that have been previously raised and the current proposal. This facility will also be utilised by other sporting groups such as netball, pickleball, volleyball and other sports and activities. This is an important proposal that will benefit the Hunter in many ways and is one that should be supported.

There is insufficient parking available. As it is on the knights games and when events happen there is not enough parking. Even when they put on event buses. Some people have little respect to blocking residents driveways. One time someone park in my daughters carport!
Flooding in the area is of great concern. We had to build on bearers and joints because of flooding. The cost of building in a flood area will be expensive. But more
importantly is the effect it will have on residents. We have experienced major flooding this year.

The school uses that land. Other area are locked. It will mean those children going from the local primary school will have 13 years without green space to play in.
There will be major traffic congestion whilst building is in progress. What areas will they use to park vehicles during construction. It is a very busy area with traffic. There will not be sufficient space for the basketballers to park.
Where is the money going to come from to build the courts. There is a grave concern that money will run out and it will end up an eyesore.
There will be so much congestion around the area that emergency vehicles may not be able to negotiate where they need to go.
Have any other area been looked at. Surely there is alternate venues that are more viable. Give kids a fair go in an outlying area.
Current sporting groups that currently use the space have been told they will have to move. So unfair. Who gave permission for the basketball people to use the proposed area. They seem very confident it will go ahead. They are not prepared to look elsewhere.
When did all the consultation take place. It seems some particular council people have had too much input.
Once green space is gone it is gone forever. We need green space to keep healthy and for people from all walks of life to use.