Basketball court development causes rift in ritzy Sydney suburb

Residents of a ritzy suburb in Sydney are upset that developments to a local sanctuary will soon interfere with local “mums and bubs”.

Time is fast running out for residents of an affluent Sydney suburb who fear the days of their peaceful neighbourhood will soon be over if they can’t overturn a construction proposal.

A park in the city’s ritzy eastern suburb of Woollahra has for years been predominantly utilised by “mums and bubs”, but that’s set to change later this month when construction on a new basketball court begins.

The controversial development at Harbourview Park would see a new 58.5 square metre mini court installed to replace an old and rarely used concrete slab and basketball hoop.

Residents however, particularly those living on Russell Street which borders the proposed new court site, have expressed staunch disapproval of the plan.

Local Rebecca has lived in an apartment alongside the park for 13 years and shared her frustration with news.com.au, complaining about the loud bouncing noise from kids playing basketball on the concrete slab.

Rebecca, along with about a dozen other locals, expressed her opposition to the new court when it was put to the community in May, with just two people, who Rebecca claimed didn’t live near the park, supportive of the plan.

Despite the pushback, residents received notice on Friday that works would commence on August 28, leaving the community stumped.

Residents are campaigning to have a new mini court plan abandoned. Picture: Supplied

The notice cited a draft concept plan that had been displayed at the park in March and April with changes it claimed addressed community concern.

However, Rebecca argued the revised plans didn’t account for the biggest worry for residents – noise generated from bouncing balls.

“The new plan makes no difference,” she said.

Despite the council’s attempt to assure residents the new design reduced noise impact, Rebecca argued the court had been shifted about three metres from the original spot which she didn’t believe would have any impact.

“I don’t know how they worked out,” she said, adding the concrete slab set to be replaced was small and still produced enough noise to wake her baby from a nap.

The sound issue was so bad certain members of the community - which has a median house price of over $5 million - have considered moving out of the area to avoid disruptions while working from home.

Rebecca said there were two much bigger sporting fields nearby with ample court space for people wanting to play basketball and netball.

“It’s a lovely little peaceful enclave usually and this just doesn’t make any sense,” she said.

“I feel like it’s just a waste of taxpayer money.”

She claimed residents were also concerned about inadequate parking and losing a significant portion of “green space”.

Rebecca was also suspicious of where support was coming from for the plan to go ahead, with multiple councillors and residents in the park’s immediate surroundings opposing it.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to think it’s absurd,” she said.

This is the final approved concept plan for the new mini court.

The court design has come a long way since its initial proposal following input from locals.

It started as a new 100 square metre mini court to be constructed in the middle of the park, but that attracted concern too much grass would be damaged and its location would allow people to use a nearby street-light or car headlights to illuminate the court at night.

The updated plan reduced the size of the mini court and shifted it to the side of the park to address concerns over damage and noise at night, but residents have remained insistent the court should be abandoned all together.

Rebecca said one resident suggested council dollars would be better spent fixing the park’s play gym which she said had been “broken and taped up for over a year”.

The council, in a statement to news.com.au, claimed community concerns were adequately addressed by the revised plan.

“Woollahra Council identified a need to renew Harbourview Park’s basketball facility due to its poor condition and location, and in accordance with its adopted Plan of Management for the Park, in early 2023 developed a draft concept plan which proposed relocating the existing basketball mini-court from the Russell Street entry of Harbourview Park to a more central location within the park,” a spokesperson said.

“Council exhibited the draft concept plan in March and April 2023, inviting feedback from the local community. Following this consultation and a meeting with local residents, Councillors and Council staff at the Park in May, Council proposed a redesign of the proposal to address concerns raised by some residents.

“A revised plan addresses amenity and safety concerns raised by the surrounding residents and includes a reduction of the size of the mini-court from approximately 100m2 to 58.5m2 and a new location. These changes will result in less impact on the park’s central grassed area, improved safety and reduced noise, and increased recreational opportunities for park users with the addition of a netball ring.

“Residents were notified of the revised design on 11 August, and we have received positive feedback on the changes, including support from all ward Councillors and the Harbourview Residents Group. Construction works will commence on 28 August 2023.”

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