Fred Caterson Reserve – Trouble in Paradise
Fred Caterson Reserve, in Castle Hill, has been a treasured public recreational space since its creation in 1895. Over the years, this iconic reserve has undergone significant changes due to urban development and the increasing demands for sporting facilities. However, recent plans for a rugby union facility have raised concerns among residents and environmental enthusiasts who value the reserve’s unique natural and cultural heritage. It is crucial for the community to come together as friends of Fred Caterson Reserve and advocate for its preservation and thoughtful development.
A Historical Gem in Castle Hill
Fred Caterson Reserve holds historical significance, originating as a Crown Land reservation in the late 19th century. Situated at the junction of Cattai Creek and Castle Hill Creek, the reserve was once part of a larger bushland area and played a role in the planned development of a town in the 1850s. Today, it is encircled by urban development, making it a precious remnant of nature in an increasingly built-up area. The reserve also encompasses the Castle Hill Cemetery, dedicated Crown Land since 1881.
Challenges and Development Plans
While Fred Caterson Reserve may appear serene at times, residents who use its facilities know that it already struggles to handle the influx of visitors during popular activities like soccer, basketball, baseball, cricket, tennis, BMX racing, and radio-controlled car meets. Limited parking options within the reserve already result in visitors resorting to parking in the nearby Castle Hill Cemetery carpark and surrounding suburban streets. The impending development in the Showground Precinct, including residential towers with an estimated population of over 20,000, adds further strain to the reserve.
Recognising the need for additional sporting fields and open spaces for the growing community, The Hills Shire Council (THSC) has formulated a Master Plan for Fred Caterson Reserve, which includes repurposing the former Hills District Pony Club site. Rather than using this site to alleviate existing pressures, these plans propose transforming the site into an elite three-field rugby union facility. This facility would be used by Eastwood District Rugby Union Club for a period of up to 21 years.
Apart from the obvious question of why Eastwood Rugby, there appears to be no analysis undertaken by Council of the serious decline of rugby union in Australia and the severely reduced participation rates in this sport.
This will also be partly funded by the developers of the Showground Precinct, whose contributions are supposed to fund community facilities directly related to their development.
However, this approach raises concerns regarding the loss of passive open community space and the potential impact on the reserve’s fragile ecosystems.
Environmental Considerations and Concerns
Fred Caterson Reserve is home to various vulnerable and endangered species, including the iconic Platypus, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, and Powerful Owl. The reserve encompasses a diverse range of native trees and wildlife, forming an ecological mixing zone where different ecosystems intersect. The proposed rugby fields site itself contains areas of Critically Endangered Ecological Communities and would be severely impacted by loss of habitat trees and vegetation, the addition of broadcast-quality lighting, synthetic fields, increased noise pollution, and ongoing edge effects.
Of additional concern is that despite knowing that Critically Endangered Ecological Communities are present, The Hills Shire Council has not conducted a full Environmental Impact Assessment for the entire reserve. Instead, it is dividing development into separate projects to be assessed individually, starting with the former Pony Club site, and relying on the less-rigorous Reviews of Environmental Factors for reporting purposes.
Lack of Comprehensive Planning and Public Input
Despite the ecological significance of Fred Caterson Reserve and its potential as a passive open space for the community, there is currently no comprehensive plan of management in place. Concerns have been raised about the limited community engagement in decision-making processes. The public has had limited opportunities to voice their opinions and offer suggestions for the future use of the former pony club site, and several requests for copies of an environment report that was being prepared and due for completion in December 2022 have been denied.
This lack of transparency, the failure to mention the scale of the proposal in the Draft Master Plan, and the bundling on the same day of approvals for the Master Plan and Eastwood District Rugby Club’s Expression of Interest to use the former Pony Club site, has fueled skepticism among community members who believe that alternative options for the site’s utilisation may not have been considered by The Hills Shire Council.
The Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve’s vision for the site is a recreation area with a naturally-shaded adventure / nature playground, BBQ and picnic spaces, areas of parking that are sympathetic to the constraints of the site, and adventure trails, all providing a connection to the natural environment and enhancing the visitor experience.
Becoming a Friend of Fred Caterson Reserve
To safeguard the future of Fred Caterson Reserve and ensure it remains a cherished community asset, it is essential for individuals to become advocates and friends of the reserve. Here are some steps you can take:
Explore the Reserve: Visit Fred Caterson Reserve, especially the former pony club site, and envision how it could be developed to benefit the community.
Seek Information: Gather information from multiple sources, including platforms like
- Save Fred Caterson Reserve Facebook Site
- Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve Website
- Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve Facebook page and
- The Hills Shire Council’s website.
- Stay Informed: Subscribe to the Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve’s e-newsletter and join relevant Facebook groups or follow pages that provide regular updates on the reserve’s developments.
Express Your Opinion: Share your thoughts and concerns with your family and friends and get them involved too. Write to The Hills Shire Council Councillors.
NSW State Labor Government Ministers
The Hon. Stephen KAMPER, MP
Member for Rockdale
Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport
The Hon. (Penny) Penelope Gail SHARPE, MLC
Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
The Hon. Peter Thomas PRIMROSE, B SocStud(Syd) MLC
Assistant President
