Taking a significant step toward meeting state government mandated dwelling targets, Hornsby Shire Council last night resolved to adopt its Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan — sealing Council's commitment to long-term future housing provision while protecting the character of the Bushland Shire.
The Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan "promotes a redefinition of the Town Centre skyline" by providing opportunities for over 4,900 new dwellings in slender residential towers, varying in height up to 36 storeys and clustered around the train station and mall.
Also facilitating up to 4,500 new jobs in the precinct, the plan encourages revitalisation of the Town Centre with new open spaces reflective of the Shire's bushland identity, a new multi-purpose community facility along with pedestrian and cycling networks and enhanced public transport access.
At the meeting, Council received a report on submissions from the public exhibition of the draft Masterplan, detailing comments from 496 stakeholders including State Agencies, gathered digitally and at a series of nine face-to-face drop-in engagement sessions facilitated by Council. In response to feedback, the Masterplan was adopted with several amendments that address feasibility and amenity concerns.
Hornsby Shire Mayor the Hon Philip Ruddock AO says that he is delighted to witness such a milestone in the shaping of Hornsby Shire's future and is contented by significant progress made on Council's other flagship major projects to provide the amenity required to support the Shire's prospective population growth.
"Sydney's population is growing, and it is no surprise to us that Hornsby's convenient distance from the Sydney CBD highlights it on the map when examining future housing needs for this city," he said.
"I'm immensely proud of our Council to have finalised this Masterplan to meet our housing targets with design excellence and sustainability. I'm also buoyed by the commitment made to the necessary supporting infrastructure in the area.
"We're proud to see Hornsby Shire planning to provide not only housing and transport but the necessary amenity and leisure space required by such growth in neighbouring LGAs as well as locally".
To view the submissions report and adopted Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan visit the Your Say Hornsby Town Centre page.
Also at last night's meeting, Council:
- Endorsed its 2022-2023 Annual Report
- Adopted the 2022/23 General Purpose Financial Statements and Associated Auditor's Report
- Received and noted the September 2023 Quarter Review of the Operational Plan for 2023/24 and resolved to allocate funding to three new initiatives: vegetation mapping, Aboriginal Engagement Strategy/Reconciliation Action Plan with the recruitment of a fixed term identified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander position, and the progression of the Rural Lands Study
- Allocated funding from its Community Events Grants Program to the Russian Community Group for a Christmas Celebration and the Hornsby Swim Club 60th Anniversary Meet and resolved to advertise an additional Place Activation funding round
- Provided owner's consent for the Northern District Cricket Club to lodge a Development Application for the demolition and reconstruction of the 1990s pavilion addition. It also determined that an informal workshop be held confirming scope of work, budget and license agreement for use of the pavilion
- Endorsed the Byles Creek Planning Proposal, resolving to submit it to the Department of Planning and Environment
- Endorsed the Heritage Interpretation Strategy
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found on the Council Meetings page. The video recording of the meeting will be available from tomorrow afternoon.
