The Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) is a key piece of infrastructure that Newcastle and the surrounding area require to support indoor sport in the area. A number of sports & their development are suffering greatly with the lack of quality venues.
In particular, Volleyball has extremely limited access to venues in the Hunter. This lack of access has required Hunter Volleyball to dramatically reduce their available programs at all levels. Players are forced to travel extensively to play competitively in this sport. Our family has spent countless hours & money travelling to Sydney to develop our son as a volleyball player.
The region truly deserves a venue that the volleyball community can continue to create an environment of excellence, competitive development and a facility were individuals of all ages come together.

I HAVE CONCERNS IN REGARD TO THE ALREADY EXSISTING GRIDLOCK AT PRECEEDING AND FOLLOWING SPORTING/ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS EVENTTHE LOSSS AT THE EXSISTING MC DONALD JONES STADIUM AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. WE HAVE NARROW LANES (CHILDREN PLAY IN, AND VISTORS PARK BLOCKING OUR DRIVEWAYS) THAT WHICH VEHICLES EXITING USE A SHORTCUTS/RACEWAY TO TRY AND EXPEDIATE THEIR DEPARTURE. THE LOSS OF GREEN SPACE AND PLAYING FIELDS FOR THE AJOINING HIGHSCHOOL OUR GRANDCHILDREN WILL ATTEND AND VARIOUS SPORTING CODES WOULD BE VERY DEPREMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. THERE ARE ALSO FLOODING ISSUES THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN RESOLVED.

The popularity of basketball by young and old humans in Newcastle and surrounds over the past 5-10 years is absolutely phenomenal. To have an outdated and run down stadium for use which is unfit for purpose is abomination. A new stadium that has addressed all the claims by those on the negative is needed at the location for the new spot is deemed safe traffic wise, important to fixing flood prone areas and will benefit the whole community and surrounds, not only for physical health and mental wellbeing but support our local professional teams and bring in new members and supporters.

I strongly support this project.

The developer has quite clearly failed to adequately address traffic and drainage concerns.

As was shown, the developer relied on utilising the Hunter Stadium car park owned by Venues NSW, and yet failed to consult them. With the increased utilisation of Hunter Stadium for events, this car park will not be able to be used, forcing proposed users of the facility to either park on a very busy road, or force them into residential streets which are already narrow. The developer is also not proposing any additional traffic works external to the project to allow for the increase in traffic that would be a result of this project, which will surely result in an increase in accidents and possibly the loss of life.

The developer has also clearly failed to address the drainage concerns. By paving over as large an area as they are proposing, and providing inadequate drainage as is proposed, will result in increased localised flooding in an area already known for localised flooding, resulting in more adverse affects on residents.

I support the development of a new facility, but this is quite clearly the wrong location for it.

The current proposed site for the sports centre is not feasible and does not take into account the following factors-
1. It will affect the local high school who utilise the area for sports, green space for the kids to enjoy at lunchtime and it is also their evacuation site.
2. The area is known as an old wetlands and floods regularly.
3. Traffic chaos will result on Turton Road which is a main arterial road for Newcastle, the impact on residential streets with parking and traffic problems will also be significant.
4. A more suitable site would be at Glendale where the amazing Hunter Sports Centre has just been constructed. Would be good to keep multiple sports in one area.

Newcastle is the second largest city in NSW. Our facilities for basketball are an embarrassment. Our current stadium has asbestos, leaks and is substandard. I’m a grandparent and when I travel to watch kids play at Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Nowra and many other town I’m in excellent basketball facilities.
We turn kids away from basketball because Newcastle does not have enough courts. Sport keeps kids of the street and too busy for drugs etc. indoor sports are especially important for grandparents to see their kids play as it offers a more friendly environment as opposed to outdoor sports with cold and wet weather.
The current facility in Newcastle for basketball is an embarrassment to the NSW government and Newcastle stadium. I played on that court 60 years ago and it was not great then.
It is time to get the job done.
C Hurley

My Gramdson plays basketball now. I was a basketball fan of the Falcons when I was younger. The stadium is old & desperately needs a new home with upgrades. Basketball has been a major newcastle sports for over 50 years (As I can personally remember). I am sure it still will be in more than the next 50 years. If we don't get a new home or major upgrades. It will dwindle away. With all the heartaches newcastle basketball has been through. You go there today and see all the junior teams play. My Grandson has to play some games at Hunter Sports High as there is not enough courts for them all to play on. This is proof that basketball is still strong in Newcastle & desperately needs a new home. The current stadium is so rundown & this is not fair to all the passionate players

I own a unit that adjoins directly to the boundary of the proposed site. The proposed stadium court will be less than 30 metres from the bedroom of the unit. This development will severely impact the value of the property, not to mention the amenity of living there. Who could approve the building of a stadium court so close to properties where people live? The loss of enjoyment and livability will be immeasurable. The loss of green space and flood mitigation will potentially increase the likelihood of impacts from weather events. The parking issues and access to the property will be severely impacted by the increased patronage of the area, particularly when there are major sporting or entertainment events on at McDonald Jones Stadium. This site is completely inappropriate to the local residents and should not be approved to proceed.

No objections.