BY OLI GOELDNER
Newcastle Basketball has amended the final proposal for the controversial Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, after strong community feedback.
The project will look to replace the ageing Newcastle Basketball Centre and provide a long-term home for a wide range of indoor sports.
In 2024, a public exhibition of the original plans saw more than 70 per cent of submissions oppose the project, leading to additional amendments.
Public exhibition on the amended plans wrapped up in September last year.
A total of 1,278 community submissions were received during the exhibition period, with 69 per cent of submissions supporting the project.
Newcastle Basketball also held two community drop-in sessions where residents and stakeholders were able to speak directly with technical specialists across flooding, traffic, planning, urban design and open space.
Further consultation was also undertaken with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), Newcastle council, Transport for NSW, NSW SES, Venues NSW and Lambton High School.
In response to feedback, the project has been refined to improve traffic, flood management, landscaping, pedestrian movement and community impacts.
"The Hunter currently doesn't have enough indoor space to meet demand," said Simon Haire, Project Consultant for Newcastle Basketball.
"The centre will address the region's shortage of indoor courts and support health, participation, inclusion and active lifestyles for decades to come.
"We've listened to carefully to community feedback and made meaningful changes to ensure the project works for both users and the local community."
Now, Newcastle Basketball will submit its updated Response to Submissions and supporting technical reports, marking a milestone in the project as it progresses towards final determination and future funding decisions.
The project will now proceed to the next phase of the SSD's assessment process, which includes further assessment by DPHI, consultation with relevant government agencies and consideration by the Independent Planning Commission.
