Basketball group says Esplanade court is unsafe

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A local community sporting group says Cairns Regional Council has not responded to serious safety concerns about a public sport facility on the Esplanade.

Cairns Street Ball made a detailed submission to Council earlier this year, saying the five-year-old multipurpose court poses major safety risks due to its design and condition.

They submitted an independent risk assessment that found 13 hazards at the court, eight of them posing high or extreme risk.

Daya Elias, an organiser with Cairns Street Ball, said serious injuries are likely at the facility.

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“There are already people that we've got a list of injuries.

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“We've had people from different schools say that they couldn't legally have that court at a school because it wouldn't pass the risk assessment.

“It’s a shame that Council spent money, taxpayers money, on facilities like that.

“If you’re going to build a court, why would you build something that’s dangerous?”

The multi-purpose court was designed for basketball, handball, futsal, netball, and badminton, but is most often used for basketball, particularly the increasingly popular 3x3 form of the game.

There are no other free public basketball courts in the inner suburbs or city centre.

The Cairns Street Ball submission to Council proposed refurbishing the current court to address safety concerns and converting it to two half courts.

It also called for an NBL standard full-size basketball court to be built adjacent to the half courts.

Mr Elias said a full-size court would be a big drawcard for the Esplanade.

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“It’s a drawcard for professional and semi-professional players, you could have  slam dunk competitions.

“Indigenous 3x3  tournaments could be held there. There’s a lot of things that could be generated from having a facility down there that is safe and built to a standard.”

In response to the submission, Council did not address the safety concerns, but said it supports Cairns Street Ball to provide structured activities at a more suitable location.

Council also resolved to consider additional court infrastructure in planning for future improvements to the Cairns Esplanade Northern Activities Precinct.

Mr Elias said it was a disappointing response.

“We were quite upset, but that hasn't stopped us from continuing. We think it is important to change.

“We're going to keep getting more signatures on our petition, doing some events encouraging basketball in Cairns, and trying to encourage the Council.

“The Council needs to be accountable for what they're putting in the place. It's taxpayer money.

Council’s Director Lifestyle & Community, Destry Puia, said in a statement that there are other basketball venues available.

“Council has provided Cairns Street Ball with a list of more than 20 other community basketball courts.

“Council also understands that PCYC and Cairns Basketball, with purpose-built basketball facilities, have indicated they would be happy to discuss possible usage with the group.

“Officers also offered to organise a meeting with Cairns Street Ball representatives, which has not been accepted, but remains open.”

The statement did not address the safety concerns raised by Cairns Street Ball.

The multipurpose court is closed this week for maintenance.