Rodney Stevens

Residents of Palm Lake could soon enjoy games of one of the world’s fastest growing sports, pickleball, after a development application DA was lodged with council for two courts at the Yamba Resort.

The DA for the recreation area comprising two pickleball courts in an area measuring 24 metres by 21 metres plus a 5.5 metre by 16 metre covered seating area, which is estimated to cost $48,600, is currently on public exhibition and council is calling for feedback.

The proposal is for the courts to be constructed in the current parkland area to the northwest of Palm Lake Resort near the corner of Orion Drive, between the existing Resort and new 78 home development opposite.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum who, with bored children at home, sought to play badminton on an old badminton court but they couldn’t find the right equipment.

They improvised using Table Tennis paddles and a whiffle ball hit over a badminton net.

The sport has since grown in popularity in the United States and spread around the world with millions of regular players globally.

The Statement of Environmental Effects SEE lodged with the DA states the pickleball courts will be a permanent recreational area that is fully fenced and lockable.

“The courts are not for public use and will be available to Palm Lake residents only,” the SEE says.

“The proposed courts have been thoughtfully located out of any flooding and ecological areas, in predominantly a cleared area of the vacant land.

“The courts will result in the removal of six trees, and potentially another two depending on footpaths, proximity to root zones and construction access.

“The establishment of an these pickleball courts and seating area is considered to improve liveability, make use of an underutilised area of land and encourage residents to engage in a new recreational activity provided on-site.”

The proposed site is located within the R2 Low Density Residential zone and in accordance with council’s Local Environmental Plan recreation areas as a land use are permitted with council consent.