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Plans for new pickleball facilities at a quiet suburban park in Brisbane have attracted the ire of some residents, who believe they will be disruptive and potentially unsafe.
A large concrete slab with painted lines marking out four courts is set to be installed at the south end of Cox Park in Lota from Monday, July 27, at a cost of about $250,000.
Nearby netball courts will be torn out.
Pickleball is a racquet sport that uses a hard, hollow plastic ball known for making a loud “pop” sound when hit. It is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in Australia.
It’s the second time in as many months plans for new courts caused heated dispute in the Brisbane suburbs, after construction shelved at a park in Holland Park West following similar community pushback.
About 40 residents of Lota and surrounds turned up at Cox Park on Sunday to discuss the proposal, which is backed and funded by local LNP representative Alex Givney.
The vast majority expressed concerns it was being built in an unsuitable spot, with some arguing the councillor had not meaningfully consulted them.
Alan McFadyen lives next to the park on Bethania Street. He said he’s not against pickleball courts being built in the area, but Cox Park was too small, swampy and close to family homes.
“I think they need to abandon this site … this is just the strangest location to put it,” McFadyen told this masthead.
Registered nurse Vivienne Treagus lives opposite on Richard Street, and said it was close enough to her home to disrupt her sleep during the day when working shifts.
“I would also like to not have to be constantly living on eggshells thinking that someone is potentially going to be hurt, especially a little kid,” she added.
Both also said the existing netball courts were frequently used – primarily by young children on bikes and scooters – and they should be retained.
Many houses surrounding the park had erected signs calling for further consultation over the weekend.
In emails from February seen by this masthead, councillor Givney apologised to residents for failing to effectively communicate the plan but said the project would go ahead regardless.
“I did not anticipate that replacing the old netball courts with new courts would raise community concern,” she told opponents.
“I always endeavour to be transparent and communicate effectively, and I apologise that I did not do that well enough in this instance.
“The courts will be proceeding.”
She did meet with some residents in March at the park, and Brisbane City Council said these discussions shaped the final plan.
Susan Norman was one of a handful of pickleball players who attended the Sunday meeting.
She explained the sport was a great way for older residents to stay active, with half of all local participants over 50 years old and one club member almost 90.
Norman said a designated court was desperately needed for the area, though she did understand why some residents had concerns about the chosen location.
“I mean if it was in my backyard and I wasn’t getting consulted, I’d probably have an axe to grind.”
Members of her club Pickleball Wynnum presently play at a nearby school when it is available.
While some residents questioned how the courts could be built without a development application, council said its zoning for sport and recreation meant one was not necessary.
The office of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the process had been transparent, and many of those opposing it were politically motivated.
In a statement, councillor Givney said: “The new pickleball courts will breathe new life into an underused part of Cox Park.
“We’re turning damaged courts that have not supported a netball club for more than a decade into a community space people will use.
“I represent the entire community and I’m determined to deliver improvements that benefit as many local residents as possible.”
Opponents of the Cox Park plan were set to meet on Tuesday morning to protest and call for the upcoming works to be put on hold.
The dispute comes a month after another controversial plan for new pickleball courts at Joachim Park in Holland Park West was scuppered by residents.
LNP councillor Krista Adams similarly suggested the opposition had been manufactured by her political enemies, and attributed the decision to “a sustained campaign by Labor and Green-aligned NIMBYs.
“I am bitterly disappointed residents of all ages will now miss out because a vocal minority was determined to block, delay and disrupt a project designed for the wider community,” she added.
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