A proposed development for rugby fields in Sydney's Hills district has sparked significant local opposition, as protesters set up a picket line to prevent workers from clearing trees at Fred Caterson Reserve. The group claims they have applied for a court injunction, arguing that the project's environmental impact, particularly on endangered species, has not been adequately evaluated by the authorities. This protest emerged on the day workers were scheduled to begin removing approximately 350 trees in the area that is earmarked for the development.

The proposed transformation of the site, formerly used as pony club fields, intends to create three rugby grounds for the Eastwood Rugby Club, including a facility that would host matches in the prestigious Shute Shield competition. The immediate tension arose as council workers were ready to start the clearing process, highlighting a growing conflict between local development projects aimed at enhancing sporting facilities and community concerns over environmental preservation. The protesters' action underscores the sensitive balance between sporting initiatives and ecological responsibility, especially in areas with vulnerable wildlife.

As the Land and Environment Court is set to hear the injunction later in the day, the outcome may have significant implications for both the developers and the local residents. If the court sides with the protesters, it could delay the development and force a reassessment of the project's environmental impact, while a ruling in favor of the development could pave the way for the construction of new rugby facilities, intensifying the debate on land use in suburban regions. The case exemplifies broader tensions in urban planning, where community interests and environmental stewardship often come into conflict with development initiatives.