Three specialised strategies were adopted at last night's meeting of Hornsby Shire Council, including Council's Economic Development and Tourism Strategy, the Hornsby Employment Land Study, and Council's Play Plan, which received widespread community support during public consultation last year.
With Hornsby Shire's population expected to grow by 15 per cent to around 170,000 by 2028, it's estimated an additional 17 new or improved play spaces will be needed to provide for future community needs. The Play Plan will guide Council through the planning and design for these spaces, as well as the management and maintenance of all playgrounds and other play areas across the Shire for the next 10 years.
"It's incredibly exciting to update our plan for these important community facilities," Hornsby Shire Council Mayor Philip Ruddock said.
"We already pride ourselves on the quality of our award-winning playgrounds and play spaces, and this new Plan will help us take them to the next level, including making them more inclusive."
In 2020, Council was the recipient of three awards for its playgrounds, including a Parks and Leisure (NSW) 'Award of Excellence' for Waitara Park and two Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards, for Waitara Park and Carrs Bush Playground.
Council received 71 submissions during the extensive consultation program last year, hearing from a range of residents and stakeholders.
"Council made sure to include all those who had an interest in this Plan, including local schools, art studios, playgroups, special needs, aged care providers and the broader community, and their feedback has been considered in the final document," said Mayor Ruddock.
"This was acknowledged at last night's meeting by Councillors, who gave special thanks to the project team for their excellent work in consulting with the community and delivering the final Plan."
Over the next 12 months, Council will deliver at least seven new playgrounds across the Shire:
- Hunt Reserve, Mt Colah
- Warrina Oval, Berowra
- Richards Close, Berowra
- Lyndon Way Reserve, Beecroft
- Headen Park, Thornleigh
- Ginger Meggs Park, Hornsby
- Appletree Park, Cherrybrook
Other items of note at last night's meeting included:
- Endorsement of the Seniors Demand and Supply Review, and approval to develop a local Seniors Housing Strategy;
- Endorsement of the draft Hornsby Thematic History, which will now be placed on public exhibition for one month;
- Agreement in principle to construction of the shared pedestrian/cycleway path between Beecroft Community Centre and Cheltenham railway stations, with additional design detail addressing community concerns to be provided and exhibited for 21 days and submissions reported back to Council;
- A formal thank you to retiring Catchments Remediation Rate Expenditure Review Panel member Brian Pearson for his long and dedicated service.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from tomorrow afternoon.
