City of Stirling gives Beach Tennis WA the boot after local’s ‘frustrating’ noise complaint

After opening in Scarborough just two years ago, WA’s only beach tennis club is facing closure after being given its marching orders by the City of Stirling over noise concerns. Despite being situated at Abbett Park Reserve, a multipurpose sports precinct hosting various outdoor activities, a few local residents have raised concerns about noise being created by Beach Tennis WA, leading the city to order the club to vacate the site by March 31 due to a breach of noise regulations. Since opening in early 2023, the club has quickly become a popular venue for locals, attracting more than 500 active participants and about 80 paying members. Funded through a grassroots campaign, more than $100,000 was raised to create the facility, turning the once-empty space into a thriving hub. All those efforts are set to be undone as the club faces an uncertain future. Co-founder and president of Beach Tennis WA, Tuko Maia, is pleading for the city to reverse its decision, describing it as unjustified. “Everything, from the courts to the lights, was funded by us, so it’s incredibly frustrating that the City of Stirling now wants to shut us down, especially after we revitalised the site,” Mr Maia said. “It’s a beautiful, diverse community club with six beach tennis courts, State and international tournaments, and classes for all ages and abilities, from kids as young as eight to seniors up to 82. “Now, one person’s complaint is threatening to tear it all down. “It’s really disappointing that it has come to this. The city has let the club and community down. “We’ve invested thousands into the club through memberships, loans and our own money. The City of Stirling approved us, let us spend that money, and now they’re shutting us down without a practical solution.” A city spokesperson confirmed the decision to end the club’s lease was based on a breach of noise regulations. “Acoustic reports have identified that activities at the Beach Tennis WA site are in breach of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997,” the spokesperson said. “While Beach Tennis WA has modified some of their activities, recommended physical noise mitigation measures have not been implemented, so the city has withdrawn approval for Scarborough Sports and Community Club to sub-lease the space to Beach Tennis WA.” The spokesperson said the city had been working with the club to find a new location, but no alternative had been secured despite the March 31 deadline. “The city has been working with Beach Tennis WA extensively over the last 12 months to identify alternative sites with a low risk of breaching noise regulations. So far, no suitable locations have been confirmed as being available and suitable,” they said. “The city will continue working with both parties to seek solutions or alternatives.” President of the Scarborough Sports and Community Club, Dean Robertson, said he was disappointed to see the club facing closure and that the club had made a significant contribution to the physical and mental wellbeing of the local community. “Our membership is perplexed by the sudden withdrawal of support from the City of Stirling. Most local residents report no issues with beach tennis at all,” Mr Robertson said. “The recent decision has disappointed many people and sets a dangerous precedent. Local government should support and encourage community activities, not banning them.” Concerns were first raised last year by locals when a petition containing 10 verified signatures was submitted to the City of Stirling, requesting the council halt the operation of the club due to “ongoing noise and light issues negatively impacting their home lives”. After the city approved light poles for the beach tennis facility in 2023, the club was informed the lights did not comply with the approval due to the lack of curtain shades. In April 2024, the club was given new strict operating conditions, including no use of the lights until the shades were installed and limiting beach tennis operations to 7am-7pm Monday to Saturday, with no play on Sundays or public holidays, which Mr Maia said has severely impacted the club. “Since the restrictions were imposed in April last year, we’ve seen a loss of members, as many prefer to play after work when the lighting was available,” he said. Another petition was presented at the May 2024 city council meeting, with 164 verified signatures, calling on the council to “Save Beach Tennis WA”. Local resident Michael Ranger, a participant of the club, said he hadn’t found noise or light to be an issue and he was also puzzled by the city’s decision. “As a resident that lives almost opposite the club it’s ludicrous to think that the noise complaints are an issue. This facility has been a real addition to the area and has brought life to the neighbourhood,” Mr Ranger said. “Surely, we can work together and find a solution that benefits all parties involved rather than shutting down spaces that bring us together. We should be moving forward as a community, not backwards.” Mr Maia said the club had been taking proactive steps to address the noise concerns, including offering to install double-glazing windows for the complainants in an effort to resolve the issue. In a letter to the council’s CEO and the Minister for the Environment’s office, Beach Tennis WA said it had demonstrated “good faith efforts” to address noise concerns by engaging acoustic consultants at their own expense, implementing recommended noise mitigation measures, and exploring additional soundproofing options, yet no resolution was reached. In a last-ditch attempt, Mr Maia has even asked the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to grant the club an exemption from the noise regulations, which is currently under review by the Minister for the Environment. “This decision sets a dangerous precedent. The Environmental Protection Act is outdated, and if this continues, other sporting clubs could be shut down just because someone complains,” he said. “We’re now open to exploring opportunities with other local governments; any interested parties, please get in contact.”