Our Shire

The Bushland Shire is also the Cyberspace Shire, as revealed census figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These figures showed that about 51% of people in the Shire used the Internet, much higher than the national average of 36%. The use of a home computer was also above the national rate - 56% in the Shire compared to the Australian average of 48.6%.

As far back as the 1880s, the Shire was host to the latest engineering technology when the first Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge provided the final link in the rail network that connected Adelaide with Brisbane.

At the opening of the bridge in 1889, Sir Henry Parkes raised his glass with the prophetic toast: "To a united Australia" - a significant milestone in Australia's progress from collection of colonies to a modern nation.

The Shire of Hornsby was proclaimed on 7 March 1906. When the first Hornsby Shire Council elections were held that same year, only 1,364 people were eligible to vote.  In December 1906, the newly elected Council met for the first time in the Hornsby School of Arts.

Today Hornsby Shire Council is a strong and growing organisation serving the needs of about 150,000 residents over an area of 50,990 hectares.

Council delivers many services predominantly funded through the collection of rates.  These services fall into three main areas: looking after essential infrastructure such as roads, drains, parks and footpaths; looking after the environment, including managing waste and cutting pollution; and looking after people in areas such as health, childcare and youth services.

Hornsby Shire Council has the special responsibility to conserve the unique character of this beautiful area while meeting the needs of residents today and in years to come.  The challenge is to maintain a careful balance between the pressure of development and conserving the natural features of our Bushland Shire, combining heritage and innovation for a sustainable future.

If you encounter problems with this Web page or attachments, or if you require further information, please contact Community Relations at comrel@hornsby.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 9847 6702.