Angry neighbours return serve as work starts on $250,000 pickleball court

August 27, 2026 — 11:53amConstruction of pickleball courts has begun in a bayside Brisbane suburb, despite efforts by some neighbours to kill the project.The large concrete slab is being installed at the south end of Cox Park in Lota, at a cost of about $250,000.It is being funded by local LNP councillor Alex Givney.Work gets under way on the pickleball court at Cox Park in Lota.Wynnum Manly Community GroupEarthmoving began on August 24, weeks after the area was fenced off.A spokesperson for the lord mayor’s office said it would probably be finished and opened to the public by the end of September.A letter from Givney to residents in July said the courts would be “at least 50 metres” from properties.Des Dickie from nearby Bethania Street told Brisbane Times on Wednesday he had lodged a request with the councillor for works to be paused, as he estimated the final location chosen was about 46 metres from the nearest residential boundary.Pickleball is a racquet sport that uses a hard, hollow plastic ball known for making a loud “pop” sound when hit.“I am a Lota resident and I’m very excited to be getting pickleball courts,” Rachel Pepper said on social media when the project began.“Excellent use of public funds and good use of Cox Park, which was donated for sports and recreation.”The office of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the approval process had been transparent, and many of those against the pickleball courts were politically motivated.Opponents disputed this, with almost 40 turning up at Cox Park in July to oppose the plan.Many homes surrounding Cox Park had erected signs calling for further consultation throughout July and August. William DavisThey said they did not have a problem with pickleball, but believed the park was not an appropriate location and effective consultation had not been done.“I think they need to abandon this site … this is just the strangest location to put it,” neighbour Alan McFadyen told this masthead.Registered nurse Vivienne Treagus said she worried the court would disrupt her sleep during the day when she was working night shift.“I would also like not to have to be constantly living on eggshells thinking that someone is potentially going to be hurt, especially a little kid,” she added.About 40 people turned up at Cox Park in July, with most opposing the pickleball plan. William DavisAfter work began, the Wynnum Manly Community Group questioned why construction teams had arrived before its petition calling for the location to be reconsidered was addressed.“The machinery may now be onsite, but the community still deserves a transparent explanation of why Cox Park was selected,” a statement said.In emails from February, Givney apologised to residents for failing to effectively communicate the plan but said the project would go ahead regardless.“I always endeavour to be transparent and communicate effectively, and I apologise that I did not do that well enough in this instance,” she told opponents.“The courts will be proceeding.”She met with some residents in March at the park, and Brisbane City Council said these discussions shaped the final plan.In a statement, Givney said: “The new pickleball courts will breathe new life into an underused part of Cox Park.“We’re turning damaged courts that have not supported a netball club for more than a decade into a community space people will use.“I represent the entire community and I’m determined to deliver improvements that benefit as many local residents as possible.”While some residents questioned how the courts could be built without a development application, the council said its zoning for sport and recreation meant one was not necessary.The dispute comes a month after another controversial plan for new pickleball courts at Joachim Park in Holland Park West was scuppered by residents.LNP councillor Krista Adams similarly suggested the opposition had been manufactured by her political enemies, and attributed the decision to “a sustained campaign by Labor and Green-aligned NIMBYs”.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners