Independent planning panel to determine future of controversial Hunter basketball stadium

The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) will hold a public meeting next month to hear community views about a proposed new basketball stadium at New Lambton.

The Basketball Association of Newcastle has lodged plans to build a facility comprising 12 indoor basketball courts, including three courts capable of conversion to a show court with retractable seating capacity for up to 2500 people.

It will also include offices, a gym, health services facility, a café and retail space.

The application includes flood mitigation works, car parking, landscaping and public domain improvements. The proposed development is located at 24 Wallarah Road and 2 Monash Road, New Lambton.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has referred the application to the IPC for determination.

The IPC is the consent authority because more than 50 unique submissions objecting to the application were received.

Key issues identified in the department's whole-of-government assessment included built form and urban design, flooding, traffic and transport, noise and loss of open space.

Community members are invited to make a verbal submission to the IPC at a live streamed public meeting to be held at lecture theatre CT202, Level 2, CT Building, Callaghan Campus, University Drive, Callaghan, on Thursday 19 November, starting at 10am.

Speakers at the public meeting must pre-register on the IPC's website using the speaker registration form.

The deadline for speaker registrations is noon on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

Anyone wishing to observe the public meeting in person as an audience member is also asked to pre-register their attendance using the online form.

The IPC is also inviting the public to make written submissions via the make a submission portal on the IPC's website. Written submissions will be accepted until 11:59pm on Sunday November 29.