Hunter Indoor Sports Centre EIS and DA Open for Public Exhibition for 28 days.

15 October 2024

Original Article Published: 3:07pm
Article Updated at 3:43pm

Today marks a significant step in the future of Newcastle’s sporting landscape, with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA) for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre going on public exhibition. This milestone triggers a 28-day public consultation period during which community members, stakeholders, and local organisations can submit their feedback. The project, which has already sparked heated debate, could face a pivotal moment in determining whether it moves forward as planned or undergoes substantial revisions.

The proposed $91 million Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, backed by Newcastle Basketball, promises to deliver 12 indoor courts, including a show court seating 2,000 spectators, to cater to a range of sports such as basketball, netball, badminton, and pickleball. The project is set to replace the aging facility in Broadmeadow, which has long been deemed inadequate to meet the city’s growing demand for indoor sports.

Despite the ambitious vision, the project’s location on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals in New Lambton has become a flashpoint of controversy. The Crown land has long been used by local sports clubs and Lambton High School, and many in the community see the proposed development as an infringement on valuable green space.

At the heart of the opposition is the concern over the displacement of local sports teams, such as the Lambton Jaffas Juniors and the Newcastle District Cricket Association. Both organisations use Wallarah and Blackley Ovals for training and competition, and the proposed stadium would occupy the majority of the fields, leaving little room for the current users.

Save Our Lambton Ovals, a community group with over 500 members, has been leading the charge against the project. The group, formed shortly after the proposal was made public, argues that Newcastle Basketball’s consultations disproportionately focused on its own members, sidelining the concerns of the wider community. The group’s central issues include not only the loss of green space but also the potential for increased traffic, parking problems, and flooding risks.

Lambton High School parents have also voiced their opposition, with a survey conducted by the Parents & Citizens Group showing that 83% of respondents were against the development. The school relies on the ovals for physical education classes, recreational activities, and as an emergency assembly point for its 1,200 students. With the ovals set to be significantly reduced if the project moves forward, many parents fear that their children will be left with insufficient space for these essential activities.

One of the most contentious issues in the debate is the flood risk posed by the development. The site is located in a known flood zone, and residents have long complained about the inadequacy of the current stormwater drainage system. The newly released EIS includes mitigation measures, such as on-site flood storage and the installation of bollards to prevent vehicles from being washed away in the event of extreme weather. However, many in the community remain sceptical, fearing that the existing infrastructure is not equipped to handle the demands of the new stadium.

Traffic congestion and parking have also been major sticking points. The stadium is expected to attract thousands of visitors for major events, and the influx of vehicles could overwhelm the already busy Turton Road. Newcastle City Council, while supporting the development in principle, has raised concerns about the potential strain on local traffic and the need for a comprehensive traffic management plan. The project’s Green Travel Plan includes provisions for encouraging public transport and cycling, but residents worry that these measures won’t go far enough to alleviate the burden on local roads.

The political dynamics surrounding the project have also shifted. Former Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was a staunch supporter of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, championing the benefits it would bring to Newcastle’s sporting infrastructure and economy. Under her leadership, Newcastle Basketball secured $25 million in funding from the NSW Government in 2019, which helped to push the project forward despite rising construction costs.

However, the recent election of Ross Kerridge as the new Lord Mayor has changed the trajectory of the debate. Kerridge, who ran on a platform opposing the stadium’s location, has been an outspoken critic of the development, aligning himself with the concerns of local residents. During his campaign, Kerridge promised to stand up to state government plans and ensure that Newcastle’s green spaces are preserved for the community.

“A basketball stadium is a great idea,” Kerridge said at a recent rally organised by Save Our Lambton Ovals, “but not at the cost of displacing local sports clubs and students. We need to listen to the community and find a location that works for everyone.”

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has also expressed opposition to the chosen site, questioning why alternative locations, such as the former Shortland tip, were ruled out. The City of Newcastle has explained that the Shortland site is unsuitable due to land instability and ongoing remediation efforts that will continue through 2030. Hornery, however, remains unconvinced and has called for further exploration of other potential sites.

Despite growing opposition, Newcastle Basketball and its supporters continue to defend the project, pointing to the significant community benefits the facility could bring. According to the association, the new Hunter Indoor Sports Centre will address a critical shortage of indoor sports facilities in Newcastle. With the existing Broadmeadow stadium, built in 1970, no longer able to meet demand, the new facility will provide 12 courts, including a show court that can seat up to 2,000 spectators.

The current Broadmeadow site is outdated, and its limitations have impacted the capacity for basketball and other sports to grow in the region. Newcastle Basketball has more than 6,000 active members, and this number continues to grow, putting increasing pressure on the available facilities. As Matt Neason, former General Manager of Newcastle Basketball, pointed out in 2023: “Our current facility is struggling to cater for the current participation levels”.

The new stadium will provide the infrastructure needed to expand local competitions and programs, enabling Newcastle to host regional and state-level sporting events. This influx of events is expected to drive sports tourism, benefiting the local economy by bringing in visitors who will spend money on accommodation, food, and other local businesses. Additionally, the centre will cater to a variety of sports, including basketball, netball, and emerging sports like pickleball, making it a versatile asset for the community.

The necessity to move from Broadmeadow is also driven by the state government’s plans to rezone the area for high-density housing, which will allow for apartment towers up to 40 storeys high. This redevelopment adds urgency to Newcastle Basketball’s search for a new home, with the Wallarah and Blackley ovals in New Lambton being identified as the only suitable publicly-owned site.

While the community remains divided, the organisation insists that detailed planning has been undertaken to address concerns around traffic, parking, and flooding. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), now open for public feedback, includes proposals for on-site flood storage and traffic management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions. The City of Newcastle has acknowledged these concerns and is working with Newcastle Basketball to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the project.

As the EIS and DA move into the public exhibition phase, the next 28 days will be critical for the future of the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre. Local residents, sports clubs, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to submit their feedback, with the potential to influence the Government’s decision-making process.

The debate over the stadium’s location highlights broader tensions between the need for modern sporting facilities and the preservation of community spaces. While Newcastle Basketball remains committed to seeing the project through, the path forward is far from certain. The public consultation period will be a crucial test of whether the project can move forward as planned or whether further revisions will be necessary to address the growing concerns.