Shire of Capel votes to remove basketball hoop in Dalyellup over noise complaints

An alternative backboard was installed to try and curb the noise. (ABC Local: Anthony Pancia)

After a two-year saga, a small South West shire has voted to remove a controversial basketball hoop despite concerns it could set a risky precedent.

The fate of the court in Dalyellup near Bunbury had hung in the balance since November 2020, when complaints were made about the constant noise of balls bouncing on the backboards and concrete.

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Nature Play WA chief executive Griffin Longley said the decision was disappointing but acknowledged that communities were grappling with competing rights.

“It’s surprisingly common; there’s a situation which is very similar going on in Gosnells (a Perth suburb) at the moment,” he said.

“We really need to find a way that we can solve these things without kids losing those rare opportunities to play.

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Nature Play WA acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, as the custodians of the land where our team lives and works. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous people to their land, waters, sky, culture and community. We pay our respect to all Indigenous people of this land; ancestors, elders and young ones.