As a parent of a representative basketball player, I strongly support the development of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. Our family regularly travels across NSW and interstate for competitions, and it’s clear that the facilities available in Newcastle fall well below the standard seen in other regions. For a city of this size and sporting history, it’s frankly embarrassing that we don’t have a fit-for-purpose venue to support grassroots and elite basketball (and other sports that utilise the facilities).
Basketball in our region is consistently challenged in its ability to provide sufficient opportunities for players due to the lack of available courts and infrastructure. Clubs are forced to turn away players, limit training sessions, and compete for space — all of which stifles growth and development. The demand is there, but the facilities are not.
This project is not just about infrastructure — it’s about creating opportunities, building community, and giving our athletes the environment they deserve to grow and thrive. I urge decision-makers to prioritise this development and help elevate Newcastle’s standing in the basketball community.

A modern stadium suitable for multiple sports Central to the major Newcastle population in a central sports zone is urgently needed

The Basketball Stadium is a pillar of the sporting community of Newcastle. For many it is a great chance to be active, meet new people and have fun.

I’ve played the social comp for more than 10 years now and really appreciate the facilities that we do have. But it would be amazing to have access to better facilities and to increase the availability of basketball to more members of the community. As well as opening more pathways to Basketball as a profession for the next generation of players.

This facility would give so many more children & people of all ages access to weather proof sporting facilities for a number of different sports. It would also have the ability to bring a lot of money to the area with sporting competition weekends etc. Newcastle needs to improve and expand sporting grounds and centres throughout the whole area to keep up with other locations.

This facility is much needed and very overdue. Newcastle needs this facility and the sooner it is built the better. Facility looks wonderful.

I absolutely support this project to proceed on the proposed site across from the Knights stadium. This site provides excellent access to transport systems, accommodation options and is accessible from all parts of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and further field due to the arterial roads that link this area.
Due to the number of sports represented at the indoor stadium, it will be busy across every day of the week and night and weekends with many people travelling from interstate to utilise this venue. The local community will benefit economically from this project.
The argument that this green space area is used by the community already is true however The Hunter indoor sports stadium usage will by far exceed and excel in providing a sporting complex to vastly more people and vastly more sports. Newcastle is deserving of a state of the art multi use indoor sports facility. This will be situated within a short distance of other high calibre sporting codes which will deliver a spectrum of elite performance opportunities in a developing precinct. This is an outstanding plan for Newcastle sport in general. I wholeheartedly support this project to proceed at the location proposed.

The basketball community in Newcastle is growing rapidly and is significantly underserved by the current basketball stadium. This new basketball facility is very much needed to not only cater to current members (many who want to play are missing out due to capped registrations based on limited court availability) but also to allow growth across basketball in the region.

This is required infrastructure in the community. With demolition of existing site scheduled to commence, alternate is required

This is an important facility for the Hunter Region. The proposed location is ideal in terms of the sports precinct and access to public transportation.

To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my strong positive support for the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. As a former Newcastle and NSW Representative basketball player, former club manager, Junior Coach, Life Playing Member and now watching my granddaughter play, I know firsthand, the importance of updating the current stadium to a larger facility, to be known as the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, to provide more opportunities for our children to play sport all year round.
The proposed Indoor Sports Centre would fill a critical gap and become a true multi-purpose community asset - open seven days a week, 50 weeks a year. The Centre would be designed to welcome everyone providing a safe, inclusive space for physical activities, team building and community connection. The facility can be used for competitions, school programs, basketball, futsal, pickleball, volleyball, netball and table tennis. Currently, there is not a facility large enough in the Newcastle Region that allows this opportunity. The increased court capacity will make it a more accessible, year round, indoor sporting facility in our area.
The economic benefits are also clear. The Indoor Sports Centre will create jobs during construction and in its daily operations. It will attract visitors for tournaments and events, benefiting local businesses such as cafes. Most importantly, it will give our young people somewhere to go, something to be part of, and a reason to stay active and engaged.
I urge you to approve and prioritise the development of this much-needed facility. This is an investment in health, inclusion, youth development, and community strength. It is a facility that will serve our area every week of the year and for generations to come. It will have an immediate and lasting impact on the health and well-being of our entire community.
Sincerely,
Dianne Henry