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.
.

Please see attached file.
Final submission.pdf 11_11_24

I object to this development because it is not in the interests of the current or future community of Broadmeadow, Lambton, New Lambton, North Lambton, New Lambton Heights, Elemore Vale or Rankin Park to lose heavily used greenspace and i believe the EIS has failed to identify the issues and risk correctly or to provide enforceable mitigation measures.
I would like to focus my comments on:
1. Extremely poor quality of the Social and Economic Impact Assessment (Appendix II) and Community Engagement (Appendix D) for this project.
2. Site selection was based on incorrect assessment of the current uses of the site
3. Cumulative impacts, especially regarding traffic and flooding have not adequately addressed
4. Key mitigation measures are not enforceable or will not work

1. Social Impacts: Both the Community Engagement and Social and Economic Impact Assessment did not adhere to relevant guidelines for SIAs or for Community Engagement for State Significant Developments. While the relevant EIS appendix includes a lot of cut and paste from these guidelines there is no evidence that they were actually followed at all. In relation to the SIA - the development has not correctly identified the Social Locality of the project. They have only identified one suburb which is completely wrong, as the users of Wallarah and Blakely oval come from many surrounding suburbs (especially Lambton and Broadmedow) and the Lambton High School community which uses the land extensively draws from a wide range of Newcastle suburbs. Appendix II includes a large amount of cut and paste demographic data which is irrelevant and not reference at all, to make it look like they did an assessment of the Social Locality. They did not. They also have not establish the Social Baseline correctly. They have not used the methodology in the SIA guideline for Social Baseline and they have not collected or analyzed data correctly. The information in Appendix II shows an extremely poor understanding of the existing uses and users of the two ovals and provides no information as to the role this land plays in this tight knit community. They have also failed completely to understand or address the consequences of losing greenspace in a city which is ear marked for major population grown and increases in urban density. The analysis of the social impacts also does not meet the SIA guideline method, nor is there any proposed management or monitoring as required by the SIA guideline.
The community consultation undertake by the proponent was extremely biased to the existing basketball playing community. The nature, scope and scale of the community engagement provided to the broader community, local residents and the Lambton High School community has been misrepresented in the EIS. There is very strong opposition to this development from the Lambton and New Lambton community, many of the junior local sports groups (who were not consulted) and the Lambton High School community. The EIS misrepresents general support for a basketball centre, and suggests that this means that there is general support for THIS basketball centre. This is not the case. There is strong opposition to THIS basketball centre.

2. Site Selection: Wallarah and Blakely ovals should never have been proposed as a location for this development by City of Newcastle, because there used in accurate data that did not take account of the fact that Lambton High School has rented these ovals for decade, and that they are heavily used by junior sports teams that were not consulted or considered. In fact the CN sports strategy states that there is an increasing demand for soccer fields in the LGA. The site is also well known to be flood effected and there is already major traffic and parking problems around this site associated with major events. This site it completely unsuited to this development. The development will negatively impact on the existing users (especially the School community and junior sports) and contribute to increased traffic and flood risk (especially flash flooding on access roads).

3. Traffic: Traffic and parking is already a significant problem and impacted by major event. The EIS is wrong to suggest that the traffic management would be similar to the Newcastle Hockey Centre (across the road) if a left turn only arrangement was in place. The Hockey Centre has no residential neighbourhood and no network of back streets behind it so the traffic must be directed along the major roads. The HISC site does have a network of back streets and alternative roads (such as Young Road) that can be used by people leaving the site. It is highly likely that a large number of vehicles leaving the site will end up using Young Road, Womboin Road and Wallarah Road; and that Monash Road and Wallararh Road will also be used by people coming to the site. The promotion and use of public transport as mitigation measure suggested to reduce traffic and parking impacts is also completely unrealistic. While the EIS correctly notes that there are bus route near the site it (a) completely fails to account for the fact that most of these bus routes have extremely limited timetables and do not run in the evenings or often on weekends, so would be on no use to people using the site in the evenings or weekend. For example the 132 bus only runs twice a day and is basically just a school bus. b) These bus routes do not service the wider lower hunter region effectively and it is not possible or practicable to get to the site via public transport from large areas of Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens or Maitland. c) The train station is more than 20min walk away along a poorly lite and isolated route. It would not be safe for young people and women to walk to or from the train station in the evenings. d)Train timetable is very limited and the area serviced by the trains is only a very small part of the HISC user catchment. For example there are no train services to Port Stephen or the eastern side of Lake Macquarie.
Flooding: The site and the adjacent road network and residential neighbourhood are already subject to flooding and in particular flash flooding from storm events. See Newcastle Herald July 27 2020 for article about flood rescue on Turton Street just near the site. Wallarah and Blakely oval current play an important flood mitigation roll as they soak up large amounts of runoff and store it for slow release. By turning this land into permeable surfaces there will be less water stored in the landscape for slow release and therefore the potential for increase flash flooding in the streets around the site, as the current stormwater channel (Lambton Ker-kai Creek already is at capacity, especially when there is a high tide at the same time. It is important to also note
that there is increasing urban density and less greenspace in the Lambton Kai-kai catchment every year as the city becomes more populated and density increases therefore it is inevitable that there will be more runoff and the risk of more flooding. Once climate change and sea level rise is factored in, it is highly likely that the cumulative impact of all these changes will make the whole neighbourhood far more flood impacted in the future.

4: Key mitigation measure: Many of the proposed mitigation measured for impacts are not able to be enforces as consent condition and there is no formal mechanism or agreements in place, so they really cannot be considered effective mitigation measure that would work over the full life of the operation of HISC. For example Parts of Macdonald Jones Stadium (MJS) carpark are earmarked for future development and MJS is also planning to have many more events, therefore it will not be guaranteed that the MJS carpark will be available for use as an overflow parking area in the future. Also there is no agreement in place that would guarantee the School use of alternative greenspace or ovals, and it is unlikely they will get access to Aurther Edden Oval as it is leased to a professional sports club, and therefore will have to use ovals further away which involve crossing roads and additional transport time. This will add significantly to teacher work load and reduce the amount of time that can be used in a 40min class for learning. Other examples are provided in submissions from Save Our Lambton Ovals and the Lambton High School Parents and Teachers Association.
For these and many other reasons I oppose the construction of HISC on the Wallarah and Blakely oval site.

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.

1. The proposed HISC is designed specifically for basketball and will not cater for other sports globally as claimed, and has not specified the costs that will be levied to the limited users, such as badminton, Lambton High School, etc, for using such a facility
2. This proposed behemoth will be literally imposed on Neighbours' doorsteps, along with crowd and parking issues, and especially noise issued related to the intended usage, considering they already tolerate such issues with the hockey centre and McDonald Jones Stadium activities affecting property values and quality of living
3. Existing users being Lambton Jaffas soccer club and local Cricket clubs will lose their training and playing facilities at Blackley and Wallarah Ovals
4. The general public are extensive users of Blackely and Wallarah Ovals for walking, exercise, picnicking, dog walking, cycling and many other activities. Considering that they are the actual owners of these community facilities, along with the other people of NSW, they should be offered much more consideration in this matter. Newcastle Basketball do not have any priority to rights to this land or this location, but seek to take it from the community of Newcastle.
5. The adjacent Lambton High School with it's approximate 1,130 students are regular users of Blackley and Wallarah Ovals as part of their curriculum and school activities. Access to a neighbouring facilities such as Blackely and Wallarah Ovals is a valuable resource to student learning and participation. Given that the ovals are adjacent to the high school and that not travelling or transport to another location is a factor that must be considered.
6. If the HISC is allowed to be constructed it will exacerbate the flooding problems in this and downstream suburbs. According to plans published by Newcastle Basketball approx 90% or greater of the proposed land area will be hard surface (metal roofing, bitumen carpark, pathways, etc.). This will result in massive runoff of stormwater during serious to extreme weather events. The site happens to be at the junction of stormwater runoff generated by the catchments of Charlestown/Kotara and New Lambton Heights/Lambton. Blackley and Wallarah Ovals serve to act as flood water absorbtion and retention areas during heavy rain and extreme weather events. The massive runoff created by the proposed HISC will directly affect flooding, and homes, in the immediate area bounded by Turton Road, Lambton Road and Griffiths Road. This increased flow of flood water will also then move on downstream to massively impact on homes, businesses and properties in the suburbs of New Lambton, Broadmeadow, Hamilton, Hamilton North, Tighes Hill, Wickham and Maryville. Who will be liable for civil claims in future weather events if homes and properties in these areas become uninsurable? Not Newcastle Basketball I would suggest, but rather the taxpayers of NSW. The Newcastle Basketball proposal dose not address this critical on-going issue.
7. Blackley and Wallarah Ovals are green space areas which are vital to the health of major cities and their residents. Blackley and Wallarah Ovals form part of a green corridor that stretches westward from Hamilton, making Newcastle a more livable city. Once lost it is gone for good. It is a valuable resource that should not be taken away or monopolised by one sporting club operating for their own purpose. Blackley and Wallarah Ovals are valuable community facilities as well as much valued resources.
Conclusion: I am not against a new basketball stadium. It would be a valuable resource for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley. The loss of two valuable community assets such as Blackley and Wallarah Ovals is unacceptable and makes the cost of the proposed HISC too high. In another suitable location it would have the united support of Newcastle.
Blackley and Wallarah Ovals belong to the people of Newcastle. In consideration of all the circumstances outlined above, reject the proposed HISC unless it is more suitably located, perhaps closer to the M1 Motorway as many of the users of such a facility will be travelling from other areas.
R Driver

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

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.