Court Plans Spark Basketball Debate In Proserpine

Steve Catalano and Peter Jefferies standing in the rain at their preferred location, Les Stagg Oval. Photo Credit: Zach Houtenville

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Whitsunday Regional Council's proposal to build a new basketball court in Proserpine has sparked debate, with the proposed location emerging as the key point of contention.  

First proposed in 2022, council sought community feedback on three possible locations for the court. Halpanel Park, Keith Johns Park and Les Stagg Oval. In July 2025, residents surrounding Halpanel Park were notified construction would begin, despite many saying they had received little to no prior consultation.  

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This led to a petition back in July 2025, and after enough signatures it was officially lodged to council. However, come this June, council again opened up the discussions, outlining the same three options as 2022. This has ignited yet another petition, this time by the residents surrounding Keith Johns Park just last Thursday.  

“It's really, really not an appropriate place,” said long-time Proserpine resident who started the Halpanel petition, Peter Jefferies.  

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"The views of others who aren't directly affected by the facility are useful, but the views of the key stakeholders who are being directly impacted need to be weighted."  

He, along with Keith Johns Park petition organiser Steve Catalano, said Halpanel and Keith Johns parks are too close to nearby homes, raising concerns over noise, parking and increased activity. Instead, they believe upgrading the existing basketball court at Les Stagg Oval would better complement the precinct's existing sporting facilities while minimising impacts on nearby residents.

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A spokesperson from Council stated that the three locations were chosen because they each present different opportunities and constraints, with factors such as accessibility, nearby land uses, existing sporting infrastructure and neighbourhood amenity all taken into account.

The pair don't question the value of a basketball court in Proserpine, but are querying the level of genuine community demand.  

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"A question of why we need another basketball court hasn't been answered adequately. Is it something that's been proposed by the council or is it the residents asking for it?” Steve said.  

While residents may have questions about the proposed locations, local basketball coach and Next Stars Sports Academy founder Tim Oberg said more public facilities play an important role in giving young people a place to be active, social and connected.  

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“Having any sort of free facility removes a barrier to participation,” Tim said.  

“For families, particularly in this tough economic climate that we're in right now, not everyone can afford to pay for their children to have private coaching in a private facility.”

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Having spent the past decade growing basketball in the Whitsundays, Tim sees providing sporting infrastructure as one of local government's core responsibilities.

“Local councils have the ability to really impact local communities in a positive way through facilities, be it making new facilities available or upgrading existing facilities,” he said.

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“I believe it is a key job of the council to make sure our local communities are serviced with sporting facilities where appropriate.”

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The debate, he believes, extends well beyond Proserpine. With the Whitsundays among Australia's fastest-growing regions, Tim argues demand for basketball facilities is already outpacing supply.

“I was just at a conference on Friday, and they used basketball as an example, but if you look at the sort of demographic data and trends around Australia, there is a significant lack of basketball courts.

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“From a population point of view, there's just nowhere near enough facilities,” he said.  

A council representative said no decision has been made on the location of the basketball court, with the current consultation process aimed at understanding community views before councillors make a final decision.  

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Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback through an online survey, Council's Your Say platform and a community information stall in Proserpine.

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Council added that once all the final consultation has been assessed, and any additional feedback, a decision will be made in an open and transparent forum.  

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