I lodged an objection to this proposal in 2024. Previously raised concerns have not been addressed: visual impact on the high school & local residents; increased traffic & parking in residential streets; increased noise levels; impact on Turton Rd traffic; cumulative effect when events coincide with MJS or the hockey centre; increased risk of flooding roads & properties; lack of parking; loss of green space to schools & community; loss of school evacuation point; traffic effect on 303 Turton Rd residents; displacement of other sporting codes to “new” fields half an hour away; the effect on the emotional & physical health of local residents & school students; no acknowledgement of real-life experiences of local residents; no genuine community consultation with residents; effect on local Broadmeadow businesses who have their parking areas filled up with patrons attending events rather than customers - 2 local vets, a major medical clinic, Red Cross Blood Bank are critical businesses who are impacted by the total lack of event parking that already exists without adding another major sporting complex with next to no parking.

The proponent appears to have addressed all concerns in relation to risk to the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre - but states there will be no adverse effects from the development. This is contemptuous. Also contemptuous is the displacement of 1,200 school students per annum, 3 sporting codes & the general community - for the benefit of one sport "which wants it all". I played basketball, as did my late husband. My daughters played basketball & now my eldest grandson is a playing member of Newcastle Basketball. If this was built, it would be walking distance from his home & so convenient. However, neither he nor any of my family support the application. It's not about convenience or being close to other sports centres. It's about whether this location is suitable. It is not.

I do not oppose Newcastle Basketball seeking a new sports stadium. I do however, strongly oppose the location they have chosen. The impact on the local school & residential community of noise, traffic, parking, lighting will be immense. We continue to be told by the applicant & supporters that the NSW Government needs this application to be approved. Please do not lose sight of the BIG picture - the negative impacts far outweigh any benefit to the sport of basketball. Traffic & parking is chaotic when events are on at McDonald Jones Stadium. Another 22,000 patrons per week, 7 days a week from 6am-11pm is not sustainable in our proximity. Homes & lives could be ruined by compounding the flooding issues in this area. The flood reports fall well short & are not based on factual, recent flooding events.

From what I understand, State Significant Developments can only be approved where the benefit to the public is greater than any negative impacts. This proposal delivers everything that Newcastle Basketball want (even though they don't have the funding to even complete Stage I & will need to renew their lease at their current site!). However, multiple sites in the region may well deliver those benefits. The adverse (& irreversible) impacts on students, residents, other local sports, & general motorists far outweigh the benefit to basketballers.

I believe that genuine engagement with the local community is also a requirement. Newcastle Basketball have failed to meet with us or engage with us. A few residents received information regarding limited "drop in" sessions over 2 evenings. They have not genuinely made an effort to engage with us & this is an opportunity lost to them. Should they have met with us on site or close to the site, we would have openly shown them factual examples of how we are already impacted by overdevelopment with insufficient parking. We would have shown them dozens of photos of flooded streets, homes & the significant absorption of rainwater that the 3 ovals continue to provide. We would have told them of our concerns & genuine fears. However, their last minute drop in sessions where we are divided into single one on one conversations with so-called specialists in their field felt like bullying & intimidation - divide & conquer. The flood expert admitted he'd never seen the site during wet weather. How do you reason with an "expert" that only quotes information from artificial intelligence? Those who attended found it infuriating & contemptuous. No open engagement has been had with the community. We are yet to even get a single Labor or Liberal Newcastle councillor to meet us on site - because the newly elected independent Mayor, independent & Greens councillors stand with us & oppose the location. We really feel like we are unheard & our way of life & the foreseeable negative effects on us are irrelevant.

Please refuse this application.

To Whom It May Concern,
As a resident living 40 metres opposite the proposed development site, I am writing to object to the proposed project of the Hunter Indoor Sporting Centre (HISC). This objection arises from the continuous lack of thorough consideration regarding major flood risks, traffic and parking issues, noise pollution, air pollution, light pollution, loss of green space, and safety to the surrounding residential area. Not only is this distressing, as the concerns from my first submission have not been addressed, but the responses and amendments to the development appear to be exacerbating concerns around flood risk, traffic, and the loss of green space.
The quality of the scoping report reflects alarming ethics and standards of the Basketball Association of Newcastle Ltd (BANL) and associated consultants regarding the development. The continuous lack of planning and response to concerns, and the absence of concrete evidence-based mitigation strategies, raise questions about the disastrous consequences of the development of HISC in this location.
The inflated benefits to health and wellbeing claimed by the proponent to gain support lack well-rounded considerations and neglect substantial evidence of the negative consequences this development will bring to current and future generations. An Equity Focussed Health Impact Assessment (EFHIA) completed with properly cited evidence around my two concerns is attached: namely (1) Noise pollution and (2) Loss of Green Space. Please refer to this EFHIA for evidence-based inequitable health impacts this development will have.
Apart from concerns such as budgetary constraints, which are clear with the major funding shortfall and flood risks, I would like to raise issues of traffic congestion and road safety. With attached photos in Appendix B showing the current situation on parking, where illegal and unsafe parking is a daily occurrence when people park in residential streets, the lack of meaningful response except perpetual emphasis for attendees parking on residential streets is distressing and troubling, showing that there are indeed no mitigations around such issues.
The chronic shortfall of the current 55-year-old basketball stadium is undeniable. The population growth in the Hunter region and Newcastle area undoubtedly calls for better-supported sports facilities for sport participation. However, the lack of meaningful and substantive consultation and addressing concerns many community members have raised shows how non-feasible this project is.
All in all, I object to this project and urge the department to find another suitable location for this important development to meet the growing needs for basketball as a sport.
Thank you.
Appendix A – HISC Equity-Focussed Health Impact Assessment (EFHIA) Objection Report
Appendix B - Traffic Congestion Photos on Monash Road

I have grave concerns regarding the proposal to erect Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) basketball stadium, on Wallarah & Blackley Ovals New Lambton.

As my house is directly opposite the footbridge over stormwater drain many cars stop at the end of my driveway to drop children off for sporting activities, the children run across this busy road without looking, and this will only increase.
Lack of traffic lights at junction of Monash and Turton Roads will make it impossible for traffic to exit Monash Road heading south.
Loss of green space for 1200 high school children exercising, school sport and general sports.
Noise and pollution during construction and also when completed with stadium in use, commencing 6am till after 11pm.
Flooding due to cemented car park when at the present time excess water is absorbed by grassed area.
Lack of habitat for local bird life!
Lack of, or misinformation, regarding this proposal has led to both myself and my husband developing cardiac diseases.
The local population covers all age groups but mainly retirees who are stressed and concerned re flooding, traffic, noise, vandalism and crime increasing. In addition, the inability of family, friends, and tradesmen, to visit when large events take place, which will be for 18 hours a day 7 days a week.
Basketball staff and patrons will find it easier to park in surrounding streets rather than stadium carpark with only one entrance and exit, to their car park.
We have witnessed men and boys urinating into the drain, behind existing trees and on our front lawn, once again this will only increase, and also requests from total strangers to use our bathroom!!!!!!
Due to the proximity of our house to the footbridge we have had requests for medical assistance including heart attacks, broken bones, people drunk and falling in the drain, cars in the drain, people incurring injuries. These have been few and far between but will only increase
I am strongly opposed to the development of Newcastle Basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackely oval.