Height, bulk and scale
StrongThe building reaches about 12 metres above natural ground. Its size and mass sit beside a low-rise residential area.
Ask: Ask the City to refuse the current design or require a much lower and smaller building.
CITY OF STIRLING | DA26/1308
This building needs closer scrutiny.
Residents have a credible case against the proposal in its current form. The strongest concerns are its height and bulk, its effect on nearby homes, missing noise evidence and weak traffic assumptions.
THE PROPOSAL AT A GLANCE
A major change beside homes
Two open, infrequently used bowling greens would be replaced by a large indoor sports building.
9padel courts
about 12 mat the highest point
about 2,744 m²enclosed building
6 am to 10 pmevery day
5additional parking bays
STRENGTH OF POSITION
Where the case is strongest
Refusal is possible, but not guaranteed. Focus effort on the issues the City must assess.
Effect on nearby homes
StrongThe proposal replaces an open recreation area with a large enclosed commercial building beside homes.
Ask: Ask the City to assess the full effect on residential amenity, not height alone.
Missing noise evidence
StrongThe application did not include the noise assessment sought during early discussions with the City.
Ask: Ask the City to obtain and assess the noise report before it makes a decision.
Operating hours
StrongThe proposed hours are 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, every day. This makes noise and evening activity important issues.
Ask: Ask for evidence that nearby homes will be protected during the full operating period.
Traffic assumptions
Moderate to strongThe applicant compares padel use with the theoretical capacity of bowling greens it also describes as infrequently used.
Ask: Ask for a traffic study based on realistic peak bookings and other activities at the site.
Parking spillover
ModerateThe plans increase parking from 146 bays to 151 bays. The applicant also proposes telling patrons not to use nearby residential streets.
Ask: Ask how parking in Adriatic Lane and Carpenteria Drive would be prevented when the main car park is busy.
Landscaping and screening
ModerateThe proposal relies on a two-metre planting strip and climbing plants on six-metre rigging beside a building about twice that height.
Ask: Ask the City to assess the building before assuming mature plants will screen it.
Treat with care: Overshadowing is not yet established. Do not lead with zoning, property values or a private right to a view.
THE CENTRAL CASE
Make the applicant prove the impact is acceptable
01
Height is not the whole test
Meeting a maximum height does not prove that the building's bulk, scale and relationship with nearby homes are acceptable.
02
Business need is not planning proof
The applicant says extra height is needed for indoor padel. That does not show that this building suits this residential location.
03
The noise report should come first
The City should understand likely noise at nearby homes before it decides whether the proposal is acceptable.
APPLICANT'S OWN DRAWINGS
Use each drawing to ask a precise question
The drawings do not prove that the proposal must be refused. They connect each concern to a fact shown in the applicant's own plans.
How to use this section: See what the drawing shows. Read why it matters. Then use the question in your submission or when speaking with the City.
The proposal in context
What it shows: An artist's view of the building from Carpenteria Drive and Adriatic Lane.
Why it matters: It helps residents identify the proposed form and street interface. It is an illustration, not proof that the impact is acceptable.
Question for the City
Does the final built form match this presentation, including the visible height, materials and screening?
Landscaping beside the building
What it shows: A two-metre landscaping strip and six-metre green wall rigging along the residential edge.
Why it matters: The building is about 12 metres high. Landscaping may soften its appearance, but it cannot remove the underlying bulk.
Question for the City
What will residents see when the building opens, before the climbing plants mature?
Five more parking bays
What it shows: The parking plan deletes some bays and adds others. The stated net result is an increase from 146 bays to 151 bays.
Why it matters: This confirms that a nine-court venue adds only five net bays across the wider site.
Question for the City
How will the site handle realistic peak padel bookings alongside other activities without spillover into nearby streets?
Height beside neighbouring homes
What it shows: The proposed roof level, natural ground level, height controls and schematic neighbouring homes on one page.
Why it matters: This is the strongest visual reference for the height, bulk and residential interface concern.
Question for the City
Does this height and building mass produce an acceptable relationship with the nearby low-rise homes?
Page links may open at the start of the PDF on some phones. The page number is shown on every evidence card.
TEAM ROLES
Assign the work once
Nominate one person for each coordination role in the WhatsApp group. Every household remains responsible for its own submission.
WhatsApp coordinator
Keeps the group focused. Shares the briefing, deadlines and short updates.
Delivers: One clear group update when something changes.
City contact
Sends questions to the planner and keeps the written replies together.
Delivers: A shared record of requests, answers and missing documents.
Evidence coordinator
Collects photos and notes from residents. Sorts them by concern.
Delivers: A simple evidence folder with dates and locations.
Draft reviewers
Check submissions for clear facts, personal detail and a requested outcome.
Delivers: Reviewed drafts that remain individual to each household.
Council liaison
Tracks the application after consultation closes. Watches for meetings and deputations.
Delivers: Timely notice of the next decision point.
Each household
Chooses relevant concerns, adds personal evidence and lodges its own submission.
Delivers: One genuine submission from every participating household.
Keep names in WhatsApp. This public page lists responsibilities without publishing residents' details.
ACTION PLAN
Who does what, and by when
Use roles for now. Add names in the WhatsApp group without publishing personal information here.
9 Sep
City contact
Ask for the missing noise assessment and consultation details.
Get a written response from the City.
10 Sep
WhatsApp coordinator
Share this briefing and confirm the roles below.
Give neighbours one reliable source.
12 Sep
Each household
Choose two or three concerns that affect your home.
Create a personal issue list.
14 Sep
Each household
Take relevant photos and record likely impacts.
Collect useful evidence.
16 Sep
Each household
Write a short individual submission.
Complete a first draft.
18 Sep
Review volunteers
Check drafts for clarity and relevant planning concerns.
Improve each submission without making them identical.
20 Sep
Each household
Lodge the submission and save the confirmation.
Submit before the last-minute rush.
22 Sep, 5:00 pm
WhatsApp coordinator
Check that everyone who planned to submit has done so.
Meet the City's hard deadline.
After closing
Council liaison
Monitor the application and meeting notices.
Prepare neighbours for any public meeting.
Hard deadline: The City must receive submissions by 5:00 pm on Tuesday 22 September 2026.
WRITE YOUR SUBMISSION
Build a clear starting draft
The picker adds short issue headings, not ready-made arguments. Your own observation provides the substance.
Same central case. Different household evidence. The copy button stays locked until you add a personal observation.
1Choose your concerns
Pick only the points that genuinely affect your household.
2Add your own observation
Write what is specific to your home. Include where you are and what may change.
Use your own words. Add at least 20 characters to unlock copying.
3Review and edit your draft
Replace every bracketed prompt. Change anything that does not sound like you before submitting.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
Say what the City can assess
AVOID
- Nobody wants it.
- It is an eyesore.
- It will lower property values.
- We have a right to keep our view.
- Twelve metres means four storeys.
USE
The proposed building's height, bulk, scale and operating impacts may cause an unreasonable effect on the surrounding residential area.
Then explain the specific effect on your household.
THE OUTCOME TO REQUEST
Refuse the current proposal
If refusal is not achieved, ask for a major redesign with less height and bulk, better setbacks and screening, and enforceable controls for noise, hours, lighting, traffic and parking.