'Panicked' Wallabies: Wildlife Displaced for Sydney Sports Project, Residents Claim

Residents are raising concerns that the development of a new sports reserve in Sydney's north-west is leading to the displacement and harm of native wildlife. The project at Fred Caterson Reserve aims to transform a former pony club site into a premier rugby union facility, complete with three fields, amenities, and a car park.

The Hills Shire Council stated the project will benefit future generations, noting the local government area faces significant housing targets and population growth. However, since the area was fenced off in late February and trees were removed, locals have reported numerous instances of injured, dead, and displaced animals.

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It's a wallaby. All it knows is that's where its feeding ground is. That's where its home is, and it can no longer access that. It's just heartbreaking.

Susan Sandercock, a founding member of the Fred Caterson Action Group, described the situation as "heartbreaking." She highlighted the distress of wallabies unable to access their feeding grounds within the fenced area. Residents have also noted a sharp increase in roadkill, particularly possums, along nearby Gilbert Road, with occurrences becoming almost weekly.

Residents have observed animals trapped inside the enclosed site. Sandercock alleged the fenced area might exceed the approved size, referencing contractor documents. While the contractor, Glascott, declined to comment, the council stated the site is under the contractor's control and fenced for safety. They claimed the fencing allows wildlife passage throughout the broader reserve, a statement contested by residents like Marian Tonkin, who has lived opposite the reserve for over 35 years and noted an "absolute silence" after the fencing.

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The fencing allows wildlife passage throughout the broader Fred Caterson Reserve site.