Work on new pickleball courts at Cox Park in Lota is set to begin on 27 July, with Brisbane proceeding with the park upgrade following months of community discussion. While the project will deliver new sporting facilities and additional green space, some nearby residents remain concerned about the location of the courts and their potential impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
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The works, scheduled to run until September, will replace the former netball courts with courts marked for pickleball, along with two new seats for players and spectators. According to Cr Alex Givney, the replacement courts have been relocated further into the park so they are more than 50 metres from nearby homes. The former netball courts will be removed and replaced with turf, creating additional green space for park users.
The construction area will be fenced off while works are underway, with construction taking place on weekdays between 7am and 5pm. Brisbane City says disruption to park users is expected to be minimal during the upgrade.
The project comes as pickleball continues to grow in popularity across Australia, with the sport recognised as one of the country’s fastest-growing recreational activities.
Residents Continue To Voice Concerns
The project follows severa l months of discussion among nearby residents and members of the local pickleball community, with some residents continuing to oppose the proposal despite changes to the design.
Residents have raised concerns about the proximity of the courts to nearby homes, the distinctive sound produced during pickleball games and whether Cox Park is an appropriate location for the facility. Some residents have also questioned whether there was sufficient community consultation before the project moved ahead.
Earlier this year, Cr Givney acknowledged that communication with residents could have been better and apologised for not engaging the community as effectively as intended. She later met with nearby residents to discuss the proposal and said community feedback helped shape the final design.
Among the changes made was relocating the replacement courts further away from residential properties in an effort to reduce potential impacts on neighbours. The upgrade will also see the old netball courts replaced with lawn, increasing the amount of open green space available within the park.
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The proposal has also attracted support from members of the local pickleball community, who say dedicated courts would provide more opportunities for residents to play the sport. Supporters said the facilities would help residents stay active and provide another space for the growing local pickleball community.
Construction is scheduled to finish by 18 September, weather permitting. Once complete, the project will deliver new pickleball courts, additional seating and expanded green space at Cox Park.
Published 22-July-2026
