At its General Meeting held yesterday, Hornsby Shire Council received a special Mayoral Minute extending condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and paying tribute to her.
"Queen Elizabeth II was held in warm regards by the people of Australia, who respected her deeply. As a leader, she embodied dignity, duty, grace and kindness. She lived with a deep passion and respect for the people she served. We acknowledge the immense contribution she made to the Commonwealth during her historic seventy-year reign," said Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock AO.
Mayor Ruddock recalled lining the streets around Hyde Park in 1954 when the new Queen visited Australia for the first time. On this Royal tour, seven million people came out to greet her, including the residents of Hornsby Shire when the Royal Train passed through Thornleigh Station on 9 February.
He went on to talk about how inspirational the Queen is to him, his wife, Heather, and daughters Caitlin and Kirsty.
"We are in are in awe of her unwavering example of a strong and dedicated woman who had an amazing life of public service."
Condolence books are in place in all Hornsby Shire libraries during the period of mourning for people to pay their respects by writing a message. Council resolved to write to King Charles III to extend its condolences and will include the condolence books from Hornsby Shire residents.
Mayor Ruddock also acknowledged our new King.
"As we enter a new chapter for our Royal Family, we anticipate the carrying forth of Queen Elizabeth II's great legacy by King Charles III, our new Monarch, and acknowledge the great contribution he has already made to Australia and the Commonwealth."
Also at the meeting, Council received and noted the June 2022 Performance Report showing the progress of the 2021-2022 Delivery Program including the 2021/22 Operational Plan and Budget. The report details how Council has, despite navigating a range of challenging circumstances, delivered the highest possible levels of service for our community while maintaining a sound financial position.
Across the Shire, we spent $43 million completing 61 capital projects including upgrading 18 parks, building five new playgrounds, upgrading six sporting facilities and constructing 1,580 metres of bushwalking tracks. We built ten new footpaths (2,228 metres) and a new shared path, rehabilitated 755 of local roads, laid 1,360 metres of new kerb and guttering and made stormwater improvements at three sites. Importantly, we made it safer for children to get to and from school by installing six new wombat crossings.
Other highlights include adopting a new Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan, presenting community-building events including Westside Vibe, completing the multimillion-dollar library upgrade, progressing major projects at Hornsby and Westleigh Parks, adopting a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and several environmental achievements, including entering an agreement to have 100 per cent of our electricity supplied by solar farms and being named Australia's top mobile phone recyclers.
Also at last night's meeting Council:
- Received a Mayoral Minute on Council's Vegetation Mapping Planning Proposal
- Adopted the schedule of ordinary Council meetings for the period September 2022 to September 2023
- Received and noted the General Purpose and Special Purpose Financial Reports for 2021/22 and referred them for audit
- Determined that a third motion, dealing with the Protection of Native Wildlife, be submitted for consideration at the 2022 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference
- Determined the Councillor representation on six Committees and Working Parties
- Resolved to establish an Arts and Cultural Advisory Group and adopted its draft Terms of Reference
- Adopted the Community Grants and Sponsorship Policy
- Resolved to forward two submissions regarding the Cherrybrook State Significant Precinct Planning Proposal and Place Strategy to the Department of Planning and Environment in response to the exhibition to advocate for amendments to the Planning Proposal and Place Strategy prior to implementation.
- Endorsed the Healthy Ageing Strategy to go on exhibition pending a consultation plan being prepared and considered by Council
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 Thursday afternoon.
