Castle Hill will soon be home to three new playing fields at Fred Caterson Reserve, with tender submissions now open for the project.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said the fields at Fred Caterson Reserve will play a critical role in addressing The Hills Shire's growing recreational needs and support the significant housing growth at the Showground Precinct.
"We will have an additional 140,000 people living here in The Hills in the next 15 years and our sports fields are not keeping up," Mayor Byrne said.
"More people mean more teams and more demand on our local fields. We need 40 new sports fields by 2036 to accommodate our rapidly growing population.
"The Castle Hill Showground precinct alone will be home to 20,000 residents due to the NSW Government lifting the cap on the number of dwellings from 5,000 to 9,500 homes. This precinct alone will generate demand for approximately four to five additional playing fields.
"I want our residents to know that it is Council's top priority to preserve the natural environment of Fred Caterson Reserve, while providing access to recreational and competitive sport that our community needs. This has been a long and careful process, and I can't wait for work to begin."
The aim of this project is to respond to ecological objectives while accommodating recreational facilities for the growing population. The Master Plan reuses previously cleared areas, minimises impact on endangered ecological communities, and carefully positions infrastructure to avoid disrupting bushland.
Additionally, other measures will be implemented alongside the Plan to ensure long-term environmental sustainability, such as tree replanting and bushland regeneration activities, exclusion fencing, habitat provision, and ongoing biodiversity management.
In November 2020, Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Eastwood District Rugby Union Football Club (EDRUFC) to convert the site into a premier rugby union facility. These fields are funded via the Developer Contributions system and regardless of Council's and EDRUFC's joint goals, these fields are needed to meet the demand of The Hills Shire's expanding population.
EDRUFC provides a development pathway for rugby union in north-west Sydney, encompassing the majority of The Hills through its junior clubs and senior representation.
This partnership aims to develop the fields into a top-tier facility offering more than what Council could achieve on its own, while providing local players with access to elite level Rugby Union close to home.
For construction companies wishing to make a tender submission for the project, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for 'Current Tenders & EOIs.'
