Source : ABC NEWS
Residents opposing the development of rugby fields in Sydney’s north-west for the use of an elite club have physically blocked council workers from felling trees at the site.
Work to convert cleared fields into a premier rugby union facility for Eastwood Rugby Club at Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill was due to commence today, with 350 trees to be removed.
Protesters formed a picket line outside the reserve this morning. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
The former pony club fields would be turned into three rugby grounds, including one that would be used for the Shute Shield competition.
However, a group of around 30 locals assembled at the entry to the fields protesting the site’s development, vowing to get in the way of work that was due to start today.
The land at Fred Caterson Reserve was previously used by a pony club. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
Susan Sandercock from the Fred Caterson Action Group said the action was taken ahead of a court injunction before the Land and Environment Court this afternoon.
She said the council had not considered the impact of light towers and tree clearing on vulnerable powerful owls, or the presence of endangered dural land snails, which she alleged had been found onsite in recent days.
“We want our day in court,”
Ms Sandercock said.
Susan Sandercock says the fields should be for community use. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“We want to know whether the court decides whether the environmental review that has occurred is actually adequate because it’s our legal opinion that it’s not.”
The council’s environmental review of Fred Caterson Reserve said none of the breeding tree hollows found would have been adequate for powerful owls.
It also said the snails were not found during its assessment.
Dozens of trees onsite have been marked for removal, according to protesters. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
Fred Caterson Reserve includes 58 hectares of NSW Crown land, with several sporting fields surrounded by dense bush.
Hills councillor Mila Kasby, who supported the protesters’ actions today, said the development proposal did not balance the impact on the surrounding environment.
“This is really special, sensitive ecology,” Dr Kasby said.
Mila Kasby says the development will cause too much damage the environment. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“We’re talking powerful owl, sooty owl, masked owl — really important nesting and breeding habitat for them. We have platypus in the creek. We’ve got wallabies and echidnas.
“[We want] community fields similar to what we have already in the rest of the reserve that is sympathetic to this environment without the need to lose all of these trees and the important hollows and habitat.”
‘Significant pressure’ on local playing fields
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the project would address a shortage of sporting fields needed in the rapidly growing part of Sydney.
“The Hills has the highest housing target in NSW placing significant pressure on our parks and playing fields,” Dr Byrne said.
“These additional community fields are a vital step toward meeting demand and supporting active, healthy lifestyles.
“I look forward to the day when players, spectators, coaches, volunteers, families and the wider community can enjoy these new fields.”
Hills Shire said the memorandum of understanding between the council and Eastwood Rugby Club did not guarantee field allocation or commit the council to delivering an elite-level facility.
But Ms Sandercock said she was concerned the fields may become exclusively used by Eastwood Rugby.
“Turn this [old pony club site] into maybe one or two low-key, true community fields,” she said.
“No fencing and no lockable gates.”
