MULTIPLE deadline extensions later, Newcastle Basketball has addressed issues raised in almost 2000 submissions to the proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre at New Lambton.
The controversial $90 million project features 12 courts, including a show court with seating capacity for 2500 people, car park, a gym and cafe.
An Urbis report lodged on behalf of Newcastle Basketball said the centre would deliver a contemporary, multi-use sporting facility in a well-connected area.
"It will support active and healthy lifestyles while responding to the evolving social, recreational and cultural needs of the community," the report said.
"Importantly, the proposal will help strengthen Newcastle's role as a destination for major sporting events, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the city and supporting regional tourism and economic growth across the Hunter region."
Of the community submissions received, the report said 69 per cent were in support of the amended project report, 30 per cent objected and 1 per cent added comments.
Most of the submissions came from people living or working close to Wallarah and Blackley ovals.
A total of 15 responses came from public agencies, City of Newcastle and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
Those who backed the project said it was in a strategically beneficial location and argued there was a need for more basketball courts to replace the existing run-down facility.
Submissions against the proposal agreed it was needed, but said it was in the wrong location. Key issues raised included flooding, traffic disruptions and loss of open space.
The Urbis report argued an indoor sports centre was permitted on the site and that the scale was appropriate given its use as a sports complex near McDonald Jones Stadium and the International Hockey Centre.
"Any significant reduction in scale would mean the loss of the first floor which houses training, meeting room and administrative functions and will also serve as the flood refuge area if required," the report said.
More than 25 per cent of submissions raised concerns about a reduction in greenspace, to which the response said there were several alternative ovals nearby.
"The proposed Hunter Indoor Sports Centre will provide uninterrupted, year-round training and competition, protecting athletes from weather disruptions and offering a consistent venue," the report said.
Flooding was raised in about 20 per cent of submissions, with locals providing photos and video showing past inundation at the site.
Submissions raised concerns that the project would push Turton Road, Duke Street and Monash Road into a "potentially life-threatening" hazard level, exposing residents and visitors to "extreme danger".
In its response, Newcastle Basketball said that flood modelling referred to an extremely rare and severe event and was "unlikely to be realised".
"Also, the roads that are being impacted are already unsafe for evacuation ... so localised increases to a H5 hazard do not present a tangible difference to evacuation potential," the report said.
Members of the public were concerned about the effect of increased traffic in an already busy area, specifically on Turton Road.
The report said an additional assessment did not reveal any extra or unacceptable impacts and no further mitigation measures were recommended.
Parking was also a problem, to which the report said City of Newcastle did not have a parking rate for indoor sports centres and pointed out the site was close to public and active transport links.
The report said there had been minor design refinements to the project as a result of issues raised in submissions, agency advice and consultation.
Those included further facade articulation, more bike parking, changes to a 10 metre wide corridor, the addition of 15 street trees and incorporating proposed stormwater infrastructure within the car park.
The amended state significant development application was put on extended public exhibition between August and September 2025.
The department will now begin its assessment having regard to issues raised in submissions and Newcastle Basketball's response.
