Environment Minister Reece Whitby has scrapped planned guidelines that would have limited the construction of new basketball courts close to homes. 

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has been preparing noise guidelines to help local governments choose appropriate locations for courts in public spaces. 

These regulations were not going to be mandatory and did not require the removal of existing basketball courts that may be within the recommended minimum separation distances. Complaints received now will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

“I’ve listened to the concerns from the community and we want to ensure we have a sensible approach. Western Australians love being outdoors and enjoy exercising in our public open spaces. It’s important that culture continues,” Whitby said. 

“Residents are encouraged to report any excessive noisy behaviour to the appropriate local authority to be considered on a case-by-case basis.” 

The backflip follows the City of Stirling calling on the DWER to not proceed with its draft, ‘Minimising noise impact from outdoor community basketball facilities’, given the likely drop in recreation and physical activity participation. 

“These guidelines have not included input from any of the organisations that administer the sport or provide outdoor basketball courts throughout our communities,” Mayor Mark Irwin said. 

Irwin added that 86% of the city’s outdoor facilities would be non-compliant if the guidelines were passed. 

Basketball WA echoed these concerns and said it would reduce the opportunity for people to access basketball courts and be detrimental to the sport’s growth in Western Australia. 

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Lead image: Markus Spiske