Hornsby Shire Council last night (Wednesday 14 July) formally adopted a draft Master Plan for its ambitious Hornsby Park project, a major new parkland to be built close to Hornsby Town Centre.
The largest single project ever undertaken by Hornsby Shire Council, the Park, is being created on the site of the former Hornsby Quarry, with the first stage due to open late in 2023.
Hornsby Park will feature approximately 60 hectares of bushland and open space surrounding the site of the former quarry and include features of historical and community interest including:
• early settler relics
• the State heritage-listed Old Man’s Valley Cemetery (Higgins Family Cemetery)
• remnant buildings of the quarry crusher plant
• the existing Hornsby Aquatic & Leisure Centre.
New key elements will include:
• a ‘Canopy Skywalk’ and walking tracks designed to minimise impacts on the environment
• passive recreation spaces including green open space and bushland areas
• adventure and water-based recreation opportunities, particularly for younger residents.
The project, valued at an estimated $130 million, will be undertaken in stages in line with available funding from Federal, State and Council sources and private sector investment.
The Hornsby Park Master Plan went on public exhibition on 21 April this year, followed by a period of extensive community consultation.
“The community feedback expressed a high level of support for the draft Master Plan’s vision for the park, particularly its balance of ‘active’ and ‘passive’ recreation activities and its restoring and protecting the natural environment,” said Mayor Ruddock.
“This excellent outcome has been, of course, the result of good planning, extensive consultation with the community and support from both State and Commonwealth governments, creating an exceptional opportunity for Hornsby Shire”, said Mayor Ruddock.
“The park will be the fulfilment of a goal pursued by Hornsby Council over many years.”
