‘Moving, sinking, very dangerous’: New courts for netballers who play on a garbage tip

The site of a former Sydney high school is being turned into a sports facility because a lack of courts has forced local netballers to play on top of an old rubbish tip.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the West Ryde multi-sport facility – which is due to start construction in early 2024 –would provide a high-quality sport and recreational space for the area’s growing population.

An artist’s impression of the proposed West Ryde Multi-Sports Facility.Credit: NSW Education Department

The proposed redevelopment of the Marsden High School followed the school’s relocation to the Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct, which has facilities for kindergarten to year 12, and TAFE students.

Local netballers are keen for the new facility as the existing courts they play on are located on top of an old rubbish tip at Meadowbank Park.

But neighbours are complaining about the plan because they fear it will worsen traffic congestion and cause light and noise pollution.

Eastwood Ryde Netball Association president Karen Waud said the courts were “moving and sinking and are very dangerous”.

Residents opposed to the proposed West Ryde Multi-Sports Facility say it will cause traffic congestion, noise and light pollution.Credit: NSW Education Department

Waud warned games would be cancelled if the new sports facility was not built.

“Kids will miss out as we cannot safely stay at the existing courts due to their poor condition,” she said.

Ryde Liberal MP Jordan Lane, a former City of Ryde mayor, said the proposed facility had bipartisan support due to the growing demand for sporting facilities in the area.

“The existing courts in Meadowbank were built on an old rubbish tip, which means they are being maintained and replaced far too often, at great expense to local ratepayers,” he said.

However, Lane said nearby residents had legitimate concerns about potential disruptions during and after construction that should be addressed.

Ryde Labor councillor Penny Pedersen said existing netball courts could have been upgraded, and an all-weather facility built on the school site.

Pedersen also said it was short-sighted to close a school given that high-density residential developments were planned in a nearby suburb.

The existing courts being used by the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association. Credit: ERNA - Eastwood Ryde Netball Association

“Was it politically motivated? Yes. Many families in Ryde have had something to do with netball,” she said. “It is an instant vote winner, but it is the future families moving into Ryde who will be affected by crowded high schools with not enough playground space.”

West Ryde Residents for Appropriate Planning community group also wants the site retained for a high school rather than a sports facility.

The group’s spokesman Herman Rebelo said residents did not mind living near a high school because most students travelled by bus and the school usually operated from 9am to 3pm.

In contrast, the proposed sports facility would be used on weekends, including public holidays, and at night, he said.

“The noise and high-powered lights will significantly impact the residents of surrounding properties,” he said.

Rebelo said the proposed sports facility lacked sufficient parking spaces and would cause traffic congestion.

“The narrow surrounding streets only provide enough space for a single car to drive down when cars are parked on both sides of the road,” he said. “This proposal will cause gridlock that is likely to spill over onto other streets such as Victoria Road.”

Rebelo also said the site was flood-prone, which could impact the new sporting facility.

“It makes no sense to spend $30 million building new facilities when existing nearby facilities could be upgraded for a fraction of the cost,” he said.

A City of Ryde spokesman said the council supported the proposal, which was a promise by the state government to provide a much-needed and improved netball facility.

“As an assessment authority, council maintains a balanced view on all issues when considering the development application that has been lodged, to ensure that local residents’ amenity is provided due consideration,” he said.

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