The proposed location for the development will have a significant negative impact on multiple groups including the current users of the ovals, the high school students who utilise the space for sport and the local residents who will face traffic chaos and risk collisions with frustrated drivers attempting to navigate the small residential streets.

Newcastle is, & has been for quite a number of years, in desperate need of a new basketball/indoor facility for the hundreds of participants who currently use the current stadium. It is well & truly overdue.
I definitely support the project - it cannot come quick enough.

Not the right place for this project.
* Flooding is a major issue. Concrete does not drain like green space. Even with drains, as we see at every down pour and flood water drains overflowing.
* Parking is a huge issue- it’s already awful with the knights/jets/any event.
* The school has no green space and no evacuation area- massive safety issue.
* The noise from the build would be hugely disturbing for children trying to learn. No one can concentrate with construction next door, will you compensate poor Atar scores that will no doubt occur?
* Where will the sports clubs currently using the space go?
* Where will residents exercise? Wests use their space fairly solidly across seasons- league/cricket/oztag
* Traffic flow - again, already bad on any sort of sport day this will make it worse again.
This project site was a flippant comment made by the previous Lord Mayor this is not the spot. Move it please.

Hello and thank you for your time.
The site location for this proposed stadium is absolutely inappropriate. I will list my many issues below.
Parking/Traffic
The area in question is already a somewhat busy urban area, with normal fluctuations in activity, but local residents find there to be a reasonable balance between a peaceful state and congestion. The proposal includes a vastly inferior amount of on-site parking but instead relies heavily on the street parking within the surrounding residential blocks. Given the participant numbers the basketball association expects and the operating hours of 7 days a week well into the evening this means the traffic and parking congestion affecting hundreds of local residents will be all day, every day. Every day. Many of these streets are narrow and not at all conducive to constant parking and shuffling around. Not to mention the safety of children and families. I realise it is legal for anyone to park on these streets but the actual reality of this constant impact on local people will be highly stressful and without a break from it. When there is an event on at the McDonald Jones stadium the streets are well and truly parked up full for many blocks but we residents are accustomed to these events and they are only every few weeks. The days of events at McDonald Jones will be extra intense with basketball participants also fighting for parking. It's hard to fathom. With basketball participants also parking in the MJ stadium parking that means the pedestrian crossing which operates with a stop light will be active much of every day. This crossing has a long red light time which makes sense and is fine for the few times it's used during the day but with a huge increase of people needing this crossing the slowing/back up of traffic on busy Turton Road will be very impactful on the flow of traffic all throughout the day. Currently there is a nice healthy balance with daily parking in our local streets. During the day there is enough parking for the high school students and teachers adjacent to the school but this balance will be lost if this proposal is approved. Students and teachers will not only lose their precious green space but they also lose their convenient parking. And residents who do not have off-street parking (there are many) will also lose. Again, I realise it is not reserved parking but we must consider the huge impact on us tax paying residents.
Green Space
The idea of using long-established utilised green space within a residential area is hard to fathom. This proposal looks to convert a space used by many different community groups, the high school, and local residents, into a space used by just one community group. It's important to maintain healthy outdoor space in urban areas especially during a period of growth like we are experiencing now. To suggest using this precious space and then possibly creating a token green space somewhere else is not reasonable. This space is within walking distance to a huge portion of our suburb.
Flood Risk
The proposed Flood Risk Assessment is very vague as to the actual affect to flood risk to the surrounding areas. It focusses on the risk and impact etc to the actual stadium site. During a heavy rain the drain fills up very quickly. Any local resident will attest to that. Currently the drain system can handle a large amount of rain but ONLY if the City of Newcastle has maintained the drain and kept it free from clogging. During a heavy rain event in 2018 we did experience a flood which affected many properties and the City actually accepted liability as they had not maintained the proper flow of the drain. That flood event has directly resulted in our properties being classed as in a HIGH Risk Flood Zone and some insurance companies will simply not offer us home insurance in any form or if we wanted to add flood insurance it is exorbinantly expensive and not an option. So most people here cannot insure our homes for flood. If the proposed stadium is built there and during the next heavy rain event the huge volume of water coming off the large building and huge expanse of concrete all in a very condensed amount of time into the drain we will experience flooding. We already live with this threat but in a much more unlikely level.

The proposed site is close to the proposed Hunter Sports Precinct but it is NOT in the Precinct. It is absolutely jammed into a peaceful residential area. The proposed area in the Proposal is quoted in many spots as 7.8ha but in reality this site is 3.3ha. Have all reports and assessments been done using this incorrect area measurement?
The need for a new basketball stadium is not in question. It is needed. But this proposed site should never have been suggested and it should never have been allowed to get to this point. It is an extremely inappropriate site.

I understand the need for a new Basketball Stadium and the frustrations for basketball users who need a new stadium due to the decline of the current venue.

However, I strongly object to the use of open green park land to build this new stadium. This area is used by many thousands of people - of all ages and fitness levels. From sporting groups (cricket, soccer etc) to families pushing strollers, walking dogs, walking for exercise, jogging and running for fitness, time spent in relaxation and down time. And it is free! Accessible for all no matter your financial situation. There are many in our community who can’t afford to join a gym, or play community sport for example due to affordability.

I have lived in the area for 12 years and we have used this park in a myriad of ways over this time. When my children were young that’s where we went to run around, kick the ball, and play together - to get out of the house and away from computers, laptops, television and phones. As young adults they, as do my husband and I, continue to walk for relaxation and we exercise there as do so many, many other people in what is a haven in this area. As I write this my 21 year old son just walked in the door from his usual exercise catch up at the park with several friends where they did a series of exercise and running drills. Those in planning may not ‘see’ this use - but it is happening and people rely on and need this space.

The bird life there and in the wider corridor is wonderful and this construction will negatively impact through displacement of bird habitats too.

The Hunter Stadium and Hockey Stadium already cause parking issues for the residents in this area. Personally I accept this in support of the wider community knowing that it occurs less frequently than if there was large scale attendance every day, night and weekend as predicted to result from the stadium.

My family and I do not accept taking away free green space available to all and used by thousands individually and via other community sports and replacing it with this stadium used by a segment of the community who wish to play basketball.

The loss of valuable community open green space is a serious concern to the ongoing health and welfare of our entire community and I believe it will set a concerning precedent if it goes ahead.

Ref: Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. SSD-65595459
The proposed location is inadequate. The road & current infrastructure cannot presently handle traffic & parking when both the Newcastle Knights & the Hockey Centres are utilised simultaneously. The local streets surrounding the proposed site, are narrow & can only accommodate two cars passing.
The local high school & junior soccer & cricket clubs will no longer have adequate green space for sporting activities to occur.
The proposed stadium will be built on an area that is prone to flooding, due to that its placement is next to a major storm water drain.

1/. Green space.
Once a concrete foundation is built on a green space, that green space is gone forever.
Wallarah oval has history. Along with Lambton Park it was the beginning of soccer in the new city of Newcastle.
It is next to a high school & is used by Lambton High for sport & recreation. Also as a safe place to evacuate students during a crisis.
Local sporting groups use these ovals for cricket, soccer, etc. Community members enjoy watching the sporting groups participate in the fore mentioned activities.
As well this green space is used for walking, jogging, cycling, pushing babies, walking dogs, generally socialising & enjoying time outside on their green space away from electronic devices.
Out on the green space there is time to observe nature at work, trees , magpies, herons, frogmouths, kookaburras, ibis, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies & worms.
2/. Flooding.
On geological maps the ovals are a natural soak area. In fact much of this site was originally a swamp. The aptly named Styx Creek & Ker-tai Creek cannot cope when rain falls continuously over many days causing flooding.
During the Pasha Bulka downpour many Lambton residents had to evacuate their homes.
A basketball stadium will not absorb any water. Rather it will tip water & funnel it into local creeks & through the streets.
Climate change is predicted to bring heavy rain in large volumes over a short period of time.
Local residents already pay huge house insurance premiums, some being rejected by insurance companies. Will the basketball stadium pay when their houses are inundated & damaged.
3/. Parking & Traffic.
When the McDonald Jones stadium is sponsoring major sporting events & entertainment concerts, it creates huge volumes of traffic & serious congestion in the Turton Rd area.
This is extra traffic added to the normal very busy flow of traffic on this important link road & intersection.
A basketball stadium on these ovals will add an enormous amount of vehicles flowing along Turton Rd & surrounding streets.
Cars & popular tradie vehicles will be continuously going in & out of the stadium & onto Turton Road from early morning to 10pm at night.
Local residents already feel restricted & confined when events are occurring at the McDonald Jones stadium.
Local Streets are full of cars bumper to bumper looking for parks & often parking illegally. Emergency vehicles have extreme difficultly in reaching people in need of help!
4/. Older Residents.
Many older residents cannot use or access the computer to have a voice & make their objections heard.
Is this fair? After all Lambton was the first suburb in Newcastle to have a local council to make decisions for everyone to benefit.
Now many older, long time residents cannot be heard because of the year that were born!

There are many areas of land that can be used, that were once used for industrial purposes. It makes no sense to take valuable green space away for the purposes of a concrete slab!
It is called the Hunter Indoor Sports Stadium, so all areas of the Hunter should be looked at as potential sites.
Thank you.

As a family that participates in Newcastle Basketball activities, we support the development of a new and improved indoor sporting facility. The existing stadium is leaky, does not have enough courts to accommodate the number of teams, divisions and age groups that participate in both summer and winter basketball seasons and is not fit for purpose in terms of toilet and hospitality facilities, change rooms, scoring equipment and displays, or accessible thoroughfares and seating for spectators to safely come to watch a game. For a city the size of Newcastle, the stadium is below par in terms of accessibility, the scope and scale of infrastructure available to allow for our population to participate in indoor sports (basketball, pickelball etc) and to host large or professional events to bring players and audiences to our city. The poor facilities are putting local kids at a disadvantage and reducing their chance of becoming participants, gaining experience or perhaps achieving excellence as refs, players, sports administrators, coaches etc. We see the proposed location in the recognised local sporting precinct (that includes hockey, soccer, football etc) as a good choice. Newcastle is good at preserving green space - we value the local parks and sporting grounds and see that there will still be many if the stadium is to go ahead. We understand the the Lambton HS principal is carefully negotiating access to the facility, which will compensate for one less green space for the high school's use for events and activities. Basketball is experiencing a surge in interest and we understand that Newcastle clubs are turning away players. It is a real shame that those players miss out on the enjoyment, exercise, social connections and benefits of joining and working together as a team. A new larger stadium will help Newcastle Basketball to expand opportunities for all of those players to find a league that will suit their interest and skills. We anticipate that the facility, if large enough, designed to be flexible to accommodate different activities and run with the right ideas about inclusion and accessibility, could become an important and valued place for gathering, meeting others and participation. We know that in contemporary life many are anxious, isolated and unwell from too little activity. We need more places where community and sporting groups can access affordable, safe and welcoming facilities to bring more of us together more often. It would be a shame and embarrassment if Newcastle lost funding for a replacement stadium because it couldn't agree on the location and need for this indoor sports facility. And it would mean that the 6,000 players who show up every week would have to find an alternative sport or league, which would divert local talent to other places. We watched a similar consultation scenario play out in the LGA where we used to live, where community disagreement resulted in an proposed community sporting facility being put on ice and locals having to take their talent, their money and their families out of town to participate in the activity of choice. Noone benefitted in our community from this outcome. We moved to Newcastle from interstate recently as a basketball loving family and were really excited to hear that a new facility was imminent. We strongly support the project, as proposed.

This is a much needed sporting facility for the public of Newcastle and surrounding areas.
The current stadium is beyond repair and with the current lease expiring in 2028 and no chance of renewal. This proposal needs to be actions and the build needs to commence ASAP or we are looking at having no where for basketball to be played in the area.
Newcastle is the largest regional basketball association in NSW, this needs to happen.
This will facility will allow for the increase of basketball in the area as the current facility does not have the capacity for any further growth in the area. Children and adults are missing out on playing a sport they love and in grassroots, trying the sport. Year after year, competition after competition continue to fill up very quickly when nominations are opened leaving many people disappointed.
Other sports will use this facility including the fastest growing sport in the nation, pickleball. Hunter Pickleball not have enough courts to provide continuous growth, the residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas need this facility.
Please consider the above points and support this proposal.

It's absolutely baffling that this project has been stalled by agitators who are self-serving and are only looking after their interest and are a very very slim percentage of Newcastle...... Most of those agitators are from a demographic who are, wealthy and middle-aged or older and who are simply out if touch with what Newcastle needs and indeed what Newcastle is. They do not understand the progression and growth of Newcastle and the changed demographic and the need for new facilities etc. Newcastle is not the same place that it was when they raised their families and purchased their properties, it is a much changed city with changed needs. The truth of the matter is that they are opposed to any change or progression what so ever. Thay are not involved with the Newcastle basketball community and therefore do not actually comprehend the desperate need for this project to go ahead. The Newcastle basketball current stadium is in no was adequate for use, as proven, and is set for decommissioning in 2028..... Each season (winter and summer) there are hundreds of children who miss out on playing their sport because there is not enough capacity. Hundreds. Basketball is the highest growing sport in ausibfor school aged children. Yet we are worried that Lambton high school will not get use of the current oval in the space for one PE lesson a week.... I can see that this is a problem for them...The thing is Lambton high school should not rely on public community space to make up the shortfall of facilities and funding, the idea is simply laughable. This is entirely a DEpt. ED. Issue to resolve with money from their budget..... Not a NCC issue to be resolved. There are 1130 kids at Lambton highschool but There are over 6000 members of Newcastle basketball, as well as their families...... simply mathematics.
Additionally I am utterly disgusted at NSW Labor Mp Sonia horneys opposition to this project. She has had loud public opposition which I find a complete breech of her duties to represent her constituents....... Many many of her constituents do support this project, yet she is supporting a small number who are opposed. It makes me completely question her competency as an elected MP and my own support of the ALP.
Ross Kerridge our newly elected Mayor is another non supporter. He comes from a position of extreme privilege, is not involved with the basketball community and is once again looking out for the interest of a minority. I can absolutely say he is out of touch with the broader Newcastle community. He is so shortsighted he cannot see the opportunity and long-term financial gain this facility would bring to Newcastle. Newcastle is no longer dominated by rich, old, white men and decision making and leadership should reflect that.
We need this project to start NOW we Simply do not have the time for leaders and decision makers to keep politicing at the expense of a huge number of if community members , 6000+. It has been long enough already!!!!!!
Imagine if my 2 sons actually got to play in a stadium that doesn't resort to using buckets when it rains before they actually become adults.....