Clr Dr Verity Greenwood, Hornsby Shire Council
NSW is experiencing a shortage in housing properties, and this is overshadowed by the Federal Government’s target for 1.2 million new homes to be built by 2029. The NSW Government’s Hornsby Transport Oriented Development (TOD) project is now on public exhibition.
Fortunately, the Hornsby Town Centre area to be rezoned aligns with the area of the Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan, already adopted by Hornsby Council in November 2023. The TOD project will not impact on the rural areas of our Shire. On the 1st July, 2024, the NSW State Government released its Medium Density Strategy (Strategy), which allows medium density housing (dual occupancies and semi-detached homes) in all R2 low-density residential zones across NSW.
Should we now be fearful the new Strategy will encroach on our rural and semi-rural areas in our Hornsby Shire? The western area of our Hornsby Shire retains a strong rural character, with early European led settlement from the late 1700’s providing the foundation for the growth of well-established, tight-knit communities organised around individual farms and orchards. The modern Hornsby rural/semi-rural landscape has adapted well to change and includes commercial development in varying degrees, market stalls and housing subdivisions which vary in size and scope.
There is no doubt there will be further development in our rural townships, particularly where there is a supermarket, transport options and community facilities. Our recently endorsed draft Galston Village Public Domain Plan is an example of development which retains a rural village character whilst supporting small business and the community itself.
The Strategy will not apply to land with a high risk from natural hazards like bushfire and floods, hazardous and sensitive lands and un-serviced areas. Unfortunately, heritage conservation areas are not excluded. It is hoped the poor transport options and lack of accessible and essential services that exist in some rural/semi-rural areas will be a strong deterrent to over-development.
Should we feel guilty about wanting to retain the rural character of our community? Some residents are feeling the pressure and even guilt for wanting to stay in their home, not subdivide their property or move out of the area and community they know and love. This is understandable and there should be no guilt. Bonding with a community does not happen overnight.
The way individuals and groups connect to have trust and mutual exchanges within friendship networks, neighbourhoods and communities can be important for our health and wellbeing. Confidence in our local service providers is also important and we tend to stay with providers we know and trust. What really matters is a community’s sense of well-being and the opportunity for social interaction, which can be enhanced when that community is content with the provision of adequate required services.
Membership and networking with different community interest groups is also an important factor. For example, I enjoy my membership with the Galston Garden Club, where members share their interest in gardening and social outings (see photo).
Time spent with others with similar interests can cast away the trials of everyday life, open the doorway to various experiences and provide the platform for growth of friendships and, for some, a personal and group identity is created and recreated. No matter that fellow members of the different community groups come originally from other social and cultural spaces, they find their community in the community group spaces and in friendship with others who share their interests.
If you have any concerns or issues where I may assist, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]
NSW Government’s Hornsby Transport Oriented Development (TOD) project is now on public exhibition until 5pm Friday 9th August. See https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/prioritygrowth- areas-and-precincts/hornsby
