Brelsford Park

Council, please take into account the overwhelming requests for basketball courts. If thr original park masterplan needs to be revised to fit new community needs, please put those cogs in motion. Coffs youth have had it tough the past few years, and recreational space for an activity like basketball will go a long way for them and parents, now and for generations. Thanks for considering.

We are excited to see that the transformation of Brelsford Park will remain a beautiful green central point of the Coffs CBD.
After viewing the masterplan we are concerned about the lack of parking. It seems that 45 degree parking is planned for Curacoa Street and only parallel parking along Harbour Drive, Earl Street and Albany Street. Would it be possible to have 45 degree parking along all of Earl Street? We believe this would greatly improve the safety for children when getting in and out of the car to go to the playground. Also, many CBD employees park in this area (as it is one of the few areas that offers all day parking) and the current plan will not support the parking needs of this cohort let alone more people utilising the new Brelsford Park.
Also, is the mobile kiosk pad too far from the playground? We think families would appreciate it being closer.

Good quality outdoor basketball courts are desperately required. Other sports and activity designs would be great too.

Swings for teen girls the flat seat kind

I would like to see the parks and similar public spaces be more welcoming to teenage girls and young women. The current inclusive playground is good for young kids of both sexes and the skate park is a hang out for teens. But studies show as girls get older they are crowded out of public spaces. It was certainly the case for me as a teenager. The food court in the local shopping centre ended up being the only place as a teenage girl to hang out.

What do teen girls want? Well according to a Bloomberg article many say they want hangout spots with cozy round tables and art or games that foster interaction, not competition. They want to listen to music outdoors without having to pay for a festival ticket. Making space for girls means rethinking which age groups need to swing and climb, how to encourage physical activity (and not just playing a sport), and how to make a safe, sheltered place for outdoor conversation.

I'd like to see some of this incorporate in our centrepiece playground for our City. Some things to help girls feel safe in public spaces include adding more exits, improved lighting and an elevated platform for seating and conversation.

Some practical executions for you to review that would not be difficult to work into the current plan: http://makespaceforgirls.co.uk/what-does-better-look-like/

Reference material: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-05-28/we-need-more-public-space-for-teen-girls

http://makespaceforgirls.co.uk/

The community have asked time and time again for more outdoor basketball courts. Our other regional counterparts have managed this. I think it is long overdue.

Many of the outdoor courts that could be accessed in school playgrounds are now locked behind secure fencing and simply no longer an option.

We need several good quality outdoor courts.

Please stop disadvantaging Coffs Harbour families and athletes by limiting their recreational resources.

As a rate payer who works with Young People I have seen first hand the benefits of accessible sporting facilities on the well being of our community. I would love to see some open air basketball courts incorporated into the new plan for the park. This would give young people a place to socialise and exercise in a safe environment,that studies have repeatedly shown would lead to positive outcomes across the community.

The incorporation of Basketball courts would allow more young people from disadvantaged groups to become involved in a sport that encourages mateship, teamwork and fitness whilst at the same time building self confidence and self esteem. Its an easy win for a community that is currently in desperate need for healthy options for young people.

There is no downsides to the decision, and I would love to see council support this initiative to demonstrate it is putting the needs of our future leaders and community first in its decision making.

Aaron@PCYC

Growing up in Coffs there were outdoor courts available at the schools. These were all ways busy with budding NBA stars. Courts in a safe environment like Brelsford park, available to all, would definitely be of benefit.
More outdoor basketball courts in Coffs please

Free quality basketball courts please.

I have been involved with basketball for about 30 years and Coffs Harbour is desperately in need of quality outdoor Basketball courts. Currently there are only 4 indoor courts available, which you must pay for to use. If a community member is willing to pay to use the indoor courts, there is an issue with availability, as the community venue is shared with Volleyball, Netball, Futsal, multi-sports, and Martial Arts. The venue is also regularly booked out for basketball with domestic competitions and representative training and competitions, not to mention the regular bookings for school sport. This leaves little to no opportunity for anyone to shoot around, train or just have fun playing basketball socially.
Basketball shares one of the highest international sport profiles being played in 213 countries, is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and is the third most popular sport in fan base worldwide with 2.2 billion fans. Coffs Harbour Basketball has a significant basketball following within the local community and the sport has outgrown Sportz Central with a current member base of 1000 local members. As mentioned, there are always issues with Court availability so where do the basketballers practice and have their basketball fun?
If the Coffs Council were to provide 4 full size basketball Courts in Brelford Park, there would be a significant improvement in the availability of space and facilities for basketballers to train and enjoy the sport. The outdoor venues would allow the opportunity for the community to also enjoy and get involved in walking basketball, wheelchair basketball, and the hugely successful 3x3 basketball, which was recently showcased at the Tokyo Olympics. Having these 4 outdoor courts available could allow the local ballers to show case their skills and talents, not only from a local competition standpoint, but with the opportunity to host and participate in the National 3x3 Hustle. With the right facilities Coffs Harbour could be a regional centre of excellence to host the high profile 3x3 tournaments, which gain national and international attention. This alone would see a massive increase in revenue for the local community as Coffs Harbour would attract players, spectators, and media alike to the area. If planned and promoted strategically, this would encourage the attendees to remain in the area for days leading up to and post competition. A huge boost to tourism and the hospitality industries.
These courts could be constructed along the Western edge of the park, North of the Playground, or strategically placed within the South Eastern corner. If the feasibility analysis is undesirable for the Tennis Court, this could also be a highly suitable placement for the basketball courts. A full-size basketball court is only 28 metres long and 15 metres wide. I certainly do not think it is onerous to set aside an area 30 metres wide and 80 metres long, which easily fit in the locations mentioned.
Basketball has the potential to attract regular, ongoing, revenue to the region, so serious consideration must be given to the development of four basketball courts within Brelsford Park. It would be a travesty to waste this opportunity to assist your community with the provision of quality outdoor basketball courts, whilst attracting revenue to the area.

Coffs Harbour desperately needs outdoor basketball courts. I grew up playing on free, outdoor basketball courts and continue to play competitively despite being over 60 years old. It is a great sport for fitness and comraderie. Australia is well represented in the NBA. The indoor stadium is always full with basketball competitions. Our local youth are screaming for outdoor basketball courts. Do you hear them? Outdoor basketball courts should take priority over other items.

Removed by moderator.

~BASKETBALL COURTS~
As an avid basketball player and a parent to two aspiring basketballers, outdoor basketball courts are an absolute must for Coffs Harbour.

With the indoor stadium constantly booked for representative basketball and roller derby, it is essential that Coffs Harbour have some free to use QUALITY outdoor basketball courts.

The courts on West high Street are NOT sufficient and are an accident waiting to happen, as they are of poor construction and not maintained.

These courts will be used by families, teenagers and adults wanting enjoy the game. It is time that council construct these courts to support the basketball community of Coffs Harbour.

It would also be nice to see some thought go into it and not just settling for a slab of concrete with a few lines. There are many places in Australia and around the world with quality outdoor community courts. PLEASE look into some of the materials that can be used as there are so many benefits, like injury prevention by using these synthetic materials other than concrete.

OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS!!! - Coffs Harbour is the only town I have ever lived in without any dedicated outdoor basketball courts and I have live in some very small, regional areas. Honestly it’s a joke!!! There is a huge number of positive, contributing basketball players in our community that deserve a facility to play and connect - outside, free and available (unlike the sports stadium that is always booked and not accessible). It’s a must in the space upgrade, anything but basketball courts will be considered an absolute let down to this community and a waste of these funds and opportunity.

We need Out door Basketball courts or half courts
PLEASE!!

Free Outdoor basketball courts are badly needed in Coffs Harbour! We have 2 skate parks but no basketball courts! We were promised some in the West Coffs park and are still waiting. Teenagers need these! A concrete slab and a couple of hoops. Not asking for much!

Basketball courts are a must Coffs region does not cater very well for one of the most popular played sports

Basketball courts. This should be available to all, not only be available for those that can afford to pay for it, it's elitism!

Young people should be able to be active in the sport of their choice. Not excluded because of their socio economic status.

The closest FREE courts are in Woolgoolga. Give kids a chance to play.

We need outdoor basketball courts. The closest FREE outdoor courts are in Woolgoolga. The only way kids can train at the moment is to pay for court access.

You need to make basketball activity accessible to people regardless of their socio economic status. Kids should be supported to undertake their chosen sport no matter what their financial means.

Some outdoor basketball courts would be amazing please!