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Fred Caterson Action group, The Hills Shire, Sydney (2026)

05/10/2026

😲 Repeated compliance failures have become a defining feature of The Hills Shire Council’s $16.6 Million dollar development of Fields 7, 8 and 9 in Fred Caterson Reserve.

💰 On 14 October 2025 The Hills Shire Council approved a budget variation of $12,402,570 for works at Fred Caterson fields 7, 8 & 9, bringing the total cost estimate to $16,615,242.

That night, the project became subject to a Capital Expenditure Review under Section 23A of the Local Government Act after its estimated cost exceeded $10 million. Additionally, the project now fell within the requirements for consideration under Part 11 of the Guidelines.

BEFORE COMMENCING THE PROJECT Council was required to submit the Capital Expenditure Review Report, including Part 11 to the Office of Local Government.

Council unlawfully commenced work in February 2026 without having a mandatory Plan of Management in place and the secret is now well and truly out of the bag that there is NO completed Capital Expenditure Review.

❗With this level of mismanagement, it’s no wonder the project cost has blown out by 75%.

The development’s $16.6 million price tag triggers the additional Part 11 of the Capital Expenditure Review, requiring:

🟢 more intensive community consultation involving community meetings, surveys and information sessions.
🟢 the consideration of a full range of project alternatives,
🟢 risk management, including reputational, demand, compliance and environmental risks,
🟢 probity planning to ensure the process is transparent
🟢 an unbiased and transparent cost-benefit analysis
🟢 completion of an objective and balanced business plan
🟢 quarterly reporting to the council on the costs and budget variances regarding the project.

COUNCIL HAVE FAILED TO DO ANY OF THIS ❗❗

❓Where is the accountability and transparency when council is spending YOUR MONEY? 🤑

Make your complaints and ask your questions directly to Council and Minister Hoenig❗

Mayor and Councillor emails can be found here:
https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Council/Mayor-Councillors-Elections

Minister for Local Gov, the Hon. Ron Hoenig can be contacted here :
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministers/minister-for-local-government

The OLG Capital Expenditure Review guidelines can be found here:
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/division-of-local-government-department-of-premier-and-cabinet-capital-expenditure-guidelines.pdf

Ron Hoenig MP
Chris Minns
The Hills Shire Council
Office of Local Government
The Sydney Morning Herald
ABC Sydney
Channel 9
Hills Shire Times
The Guardian
The Age

05/10/2026

❓WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION?

❌ No genuine attempt has ever been made to engage or properly inform the community about the Premier Rugby Union Precinct.

The one-page draft concept plan, released for “public consultation” during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, is now apparently enough for Council to tick the box on a $16.6 million Capital Expenditure Review.

In 2020:
NO letters were sent to residents.
NO social media “Have Your Say” posts were published.
Council relied on a library notice, its website and a small notice in the paywalled Sydney Morning Herald.

For a project of this scale, just 36 submissions raises serious questions about how effectively the community was informed.

Yet the Office of Local Government (OLG) is now allowing Council to rely on this inadequate consultation to satisfy Part 11 Capital Expenditure Review requirements.

Where the project costs exceed $10M councils are also required to carry out a more intensive community consultation process.
This may include:
🟢 additional consultation with specific groups and/or the community in relation to the detailed components of the project.
🟢 It could involve community meetings, surveys and information sessions.

The community has serious questions that deserve answers.

❓How is it possible that council is being permitted to rely on old documentation, much of which is outdated and was prepared prior to the $10 million threshold being exceeded?

❓Surely the new Showground Station residents, whose developer contributions are largely funding the project, should have an opportunity to provide feedback through an updated consultation process?

❓Why is the OLG allowing Council to circumvent legislation and not conduct the intensive community consultation process as required under Part 11?

Write to Ron Hoenig MP
❓❓Ask him to ensure the OLG requires The Hills Shire Council to complete a full Capital Expenditure Review using updated documentation, including the full requirements of Part 11.

You can contact Minister Ron Hoenig here:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministers/minister-for-local-government

Chris Minns
Dr Amanda Cohn
Dr Michelle Byrne - Mayor of the Hills Shire Council
Hills Shire Times
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Hills Shire Council
The Guardian
Channel 9
ABC Sydney

04/10/2026

It is time for the NSW Ombudsman to step in ‼‼

Ron Hoenig MP If you believe what you say, then why are you allowing “Council to submit a Capital Expenditure Review for the project based on its existing project documentation”❓ [Source: documents obtained under FOI] when:

1️⃣ The DISINGENUOUS public consultation during 2020 Covid 19 restrictions was a 1-page draft concept plan and does not meet the minimum requirements of OLG guidelines.
2️⃣ The project's Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been subject to a 12 month legal challenge and may yet be found invalid.

The Hills Shire Council unlawfully commenced work in February 2026 without having a mandatory Crown Lands Plan of Management or a completed Capital Expenditure Review.

Council’s disregard and contempt for State legislation is on full display with their failure to comply with mandatory guidelines BEFORE project commencement.

The Hills Shire Council behaves as if they are above the law and untouchable. This is unacceptable.

Make your complaints directly to Council and the NSW Ombudsman❗

Council emails can be found here -
https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Council/Mayor-Councillors-Elections

NSW Ombudsman complaints can be lodged here -
https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/welcome-to-the-complaints-portal

Dr Amanda Cohn
The Sydney Morning Herald
Hills Shire Times
Guardian Australia
Hills.Sydney Digital Magazine
Hills to Hawkesbury Community
ABC Sydney
Channel 9

26/09/2026

Sound on 🔈
The Office of Local Government has Guidelines requiring capital expenditure projects exceeding 10% of a Council’s rate revenue, be subject to a mandatory Capital Expenditure Review.

The Guidelines are issued in accordance with Section 23A of the Local Government Act which state it is “important that the evaluation of the project is carried out in a clear, transparent and systematic way.”

It has been over 3 months since Dr Mila Kasby Hills Shire Councillor - Greens asked the The Hills Shire Council “Has council done a capital expenditure review for fields 7, 8 and 9 in the Fred Caterson Reserve? This question remains unanswered.

However, we know the Office of Local Government has not received an application from Council; and that Council was advised in June this year, they are not exempt from the CapEx requirement. [see links in the comments].

❓ Was the CapEx review deliberately omitted to avoid scrutiny?
❓ Who is responsible for the failure to comply with State Government Legislation?
❓Who is responsible for the failure to interrogate the expenditure of $16.6 million rate payer dollars, especially when Council knew the Community had serious concerns?
❓ How does the Community ensure the review is independently conducted and transparently communicated?

Share your concerns directly with Council. If you are unsatisfied with their response, or if they don’t respond, don’t wait three months for an answer - notify the NSW Ombudsman.

Ron Hoenig MP
Dr Amanda Cohn
Hills Shire Times
ABC Sydney
ABC News
Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
Hills Showground Village Residents and Surroundz Castle Hill NSW Australia
Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Winston Hills & Surrounds Community Group
Cumberland Bird Observers' Club Facebook Group
Guardian Australia

22/09/2026

Spot the outrageous retaining wall. Spot the tiny seedlings with the tiny sprinkler in the rehabilitation patch. Because as we all know that sprinkler will keep those plant babies alive this summer. Annnd…we also know how Powerful Owl’s can nest in those seedling hollows 😉🙄

These are recent photos of the site works at . And Yes, they should rehab the site but it should never have needed rehabilitation in the first place.

Does this look like base level, community standard fields to you?

It looks like something else…something bigger, more expensive and not necessary. And now we’re learning - it’s also looks not compliant with
👉mandatory👈 Office of Local Government guidelines. Who at The Hills Shire Council is responsible for that massive truck up 🚛??

Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
Hills Shire Times
Ron Hoenig MP
NSW Ombudsman
ABC Sydney
ABC News
Channel 9
Hawkesbury Environment Network HEN
Hills Showground Village Residents and Surroundz Castle Hill NSW Australia
Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Winston Hills & Surrounds Community Group
BirdLife Australia
Guardian Australia

13/09/2026

How does Brett Papworth, a director at Eastwood Rugby and commentator on 2SM, know that The Hills Shire Council Councillors are ‘nervous’?

And why are they nervous? Is it because the Council’s actions surrounding this development are questionable. FCAG has many questions.

Here’s another one…

❓Why hasn’t the General Manager answered the question on notice about whether Council completed a mandatory Capital Expenditure Review on fields 7, 8 and 9 in Fred Caterson Reserve?

This review would require Council to complete a cost benefit analysis and undertake more comprehensive consultation with the Hills community. Given there’s been no further consultation with the community, we can all guess why he is avoiding the question.

Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
Hills Shire Times
Office of Local Government
Ron Hoenig MP
Hawkesbury Environment Network HEN
Cattai Hills Environment Network CHEN
Hills Showground Village Residents and Surroundz Castle Hill NSW Australia
ABC Sydney
ABC News
Channel 9
Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Winston Hills & Surrounds Community Group

08/09/2026

Congratulations to Fred Caterson Champions Inc on reaching the conclusion of the Land & Enviornment Court hearing against Hills Shire Council - one year and four days after Council was served by them.

Judgement was reserved, so now we wait.

Photo: pony club site, February 2026

Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve

07/09/2026

❓Just answer the question Mr General Manager!
It’s a simple yes or no…🤨

06/09/2026

COURT REMINDER!
If there is any day to support the Fred Caterson Champions - this Tuesday is the day - the final hearing day in the case of the FCC Camps v Hills Council.

🦉 Attend the Land & Environment Court between 9am-11am on Tuesday. Be present in the Courtroom to show all the parties how important this case is for the Powerful Owl is. Court 11A

🦉if you can’t make it in person, jump online and watch the live stream of the hearing. Follow this link https://lec.nsw.gov.au/Facilities-and-support/court-technology/land-and-environment-court---avl-courtroom-observer-links.html

🦉Donate. The Campions are a small group of local residents fighting for the future of Fred Caterson Reserve, fighting for the Powerful Owl, and fighting to hold Council to account. Any contribution is gratefully received. https://gofund.me/7d98da02c

Lorikeets: filmed in the FCR Bush Track 3 Sep.

Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Hills Shire Times
Hawkesbury Environment Network HEN
Cattai Hills Environment Network CHEN
Cumberland Bird Observers' Club Facebook Group
BirdLife Australia
Owls of Australia
Mikey the Powerful Owlet

05/09/2026

This week in NSW Senate Budget Estimates Dr Amanda Cohn asked Minister Ron Hoenig MP what recourse there was for councillors being denied information by council staff.

This was a specific reference to Councillor Dr Mila Kasby Hills Shire Councillor - Greens legitimate question on notice to our The Hills Shire Council asking whether a Capital Expenditure Review had been done for Fields 7, 8 and 9 (now under construction) at Fred Caterson Reserve.

A Capital Expenditure Review is required under the Office of Local Government guidelines for projects over 10% of rates revenue (for the Hills Council that’s ~$9.9 million). The fields are costing the community $16.6 million which clearly meets this threshold.

In the absence of evidence for or a response from Council staff to the question asked on notice, we can all assume Council has failed (again) in their obligations to the community and neglected to complete the required review for the site of the rugby fields.

What we’ve learned through Senate Estimates this week:
1️⃣ the Minister thinks the Hills General Manager should have just answered the question - WE AGREE!
2️⃣ the Minister thinks the Hills General Manager, as an employee, is a servant to the Councillors (who are elected to serve the community) - WE AGREE!
3️⃣ the way to compel an answer is to bring a Motion of Dissent. - URRGG! 🤦🏼‍♀️ FAIL!! ‼️Because we all know that you can’t compel an answer using a Motion, if the Motion isn’t supported by Councillors.

⚠️We won’t get an answer from this current Hills Council because the Liberal block of Councillors will deny such motions and avoid an issue rather than be held to account.

⚠️ So far - there is no consequence for failing to deliver the required mandatory review. This is a major failure of the system which intended to ensure proper use of community funds.

If you want to know more please write to the Office of Local Government and ask how community members can compel an answer from the General Manager and ensure an expenditure review under these circumstances. And, ask who is responsible and what is the consequence if it is not done?

https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

Office of Local Government
Save Fred Caterson Reserve
Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
Hills Shire Times
ABC Sydney
ABC News
Channel 9
Cattai Hills Environment Network CHEN
Hawkesbury Environment Network HEN
Hills Showground Village Residents and Surroundz Castle Hill NSW Australia
Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Winston Hills & Surrounds Community Group

Fred Caterson Action group

05/10/2026

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