Sandringham netball centre: Whistles “every three seconds” locals fear

Sandringham residents are crying foul over a plan to create a netball complex near their homes. Here’s why.

Stephanie Batten (centre) with fellow local residents concerned about Bayside Council's plans for a netball complex just metres from their homes. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Angry residents fighting a netball complex slated for Sandringham have been told to toughen up and “learn to like the sound of whistles”.

Bayside Council has doubled down on the Holloway Rd project, despite admitting those living nearby would be subject to floodlights, whistles, noise and increased traffic daily until as late as 10.30pm.

Councillors recently rejected a plea from 89 locals to pause the project, which includes two indoor and nine outdoor netball courts at Sandringham College, until residents were properly consulted.

Instead it “reaffirmed its support” to an in-principle agreement with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to jointly fund the project.

Cr Jo Samuel-King acknowledged the development was “not going to be easy for the residents” before voting in favour of forging ahead.

“I hope there are a lot of robust and resilient people who learn to like the sound of netball whistles … and appreciate that there are girls playing sport,” Cr Samuel-King said.

Others, such as Cr Sonia Castelli – who also voted to continue – said they had lost sleep over the decision.

Objector Steve Malcolm said those living in apartments close to the proposed site would have to endure whistles every three seconds during 61 hours of matches every week.

“The courts will be 10m from backyards and 17m from living spaces,” Mr Malcolm said.

Residents said under the current proposal games could be played from 4.30pm to 10.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am-10.30pm on weekends.

Mr Malcolm said his own street would be choked with cars under a council plan to allow parking on both sides of the road.

At present Cooke St has no parking along one side to allow traffic to flow freely.

Gail Bergmann, who lives two streets away from the site, said the project had been rushed though without the same due diligence the council would have applied to developments on its own land.

“Councillors are meant to be committed to good governance and give significant weight to the views of residents,” she said.

“That hasn’t happened here.”

The council promised to “use its best endeavours to minimise impacts on residents”.

Sandringham District Netball Association has been campaigning for decades for new facilities. Association spokeswoman Kris Pierce said current facilities were non-compliant and a safety hazard for both players and staff.

“Players are currently playing games up to 50 per cent shorter than recommended game times, more byes and teams overloaded with players meaning many they are also often rostered off,” Ms Pierce said.

In 2020 the council abandoned a plan to build 15 courts on the site of the nearby Sandringham Driving Range on Wangara Rd after the cost to clean up the former tip blew out the project budget to $24.6 million.

There were also fears of chemical contamination at the site.

The council said the Holloway Road plan would save about $10 million.

Bayside environment, recreation and infrastructure director Adam McSwain said the council was working with the State Government to ensure the proposed community sports facilities at Sandringham College “considers the needs of both the broader Bayside sports community and the residents in proximity to the site”.