Hills Shire Council want to manage, redevelop Hills Pony Club site

The Hills Shire Council has voted in favour of a bid to become land manager of the Hills District Pony Club site, with councillors promising members the historic club “won’t be put out to pasture”.

Emma and Jessica Galea at a zone showjumping event at the Hills District Pony Club.

• Fears for future of Hills Pony Club
• $3b Showground masterplan rejected
• What is included in the State Government’s Showground masterplan

The Hills Shire Council has voted in favour of a bid to become land manager of the Hills District Pony Club site, with councillors promising members the historic club “won’t be put out to pasture”.

Tuesday night’s council meeting saw Hills District Pony Club members voice their concerns around suggestions council would relocate the club — if it took over management of the land.

Pony club secretary Renee Blefari said the decision to support council’s proposal was concerning “due to uncertainty around its future”.

The Hills District Pony Club could close so the site can be used as playing fields. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Every fence post and brick in each structure was paid for and built by our members,” she said.

“Our club is currently low on members, but this is due to the uncertainty and we have been unable to raise confidence this year.”

Mrs Blefari said soccer and netball sporting grounds neighbouring the site could also be considered under-utilised after an Department of Industry report made the same suggestions around the Gilbert Rd facility.

She argued the club could remain at the site and see further sporting fields developed around the pony club.

A report from the Hills Shire Council said the increase in residential development in the Castle Hill Showground precinct, just metres from the Golbert Rd site, resulted in an increased demand for open space and playing fields to cater for population increases.

Councillor Elizabeth Russo raised the motion of councils proposal to become land manager of the site, while councillor Peter Gangemi said no councillor would like to see the pony club close.

Lochie Colquhoun at the Hills District Pony Club.

“We see a challenge to find land around (developing) precincts for open space,” he said.

“Lets see if we can find an alternative site that benefits everyone.

“Your council is working day and night to find solutions that benefits everyone.”

Councillor Tony Hay said he was “for horses”, while councillor Robyn Preston said she could hear a fighting spirit and fear that “the writing was on the wall” for the historic club.

Hills District Pony Club in Castle Hill has been apart of the community for 60 years. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Council had looked at the possibilities of The Showground Precinct and that the development would require increased playing fields,” Cr Preston said.

“We want to satisfy the needs of your club.

“We want to encourage kids to get out there any enjoy what we call the garden shire.”

The Hills Shire Council acting general manager said: “as a pony club the land is not under-utilised, however in comparison to the number of people that could use it as playing fields, it could be”.

He also said there was an open discussion about an alternative site for the group.

Suggestions the club and its 15 current riding members would be relocated to the same site as Dural Pony Club were rejected — with Cr Peter Gangemi saying “nothing was on or off the table”.