Hornsby Quarry Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hornsby Quarry?
Hornsby Quarry is to the west of the Hornsby Central Business District with vehicular access from Dural Street. The Quarry is adjacent to residential properties to the north, Berowra Valley Regional Park to the west, Council lands within Old Mans Valley to the east and bushland owned by the Department of Sustainable Natural Resources to the south. An aerial photograph of the Quarry and surrounding area is below. A larger, more complete version can be downloaded as a pdf (Acrobat) file from the link at the bottom of this FAQ.
What is Hornsby Quarry?
It's a site that was worked as a hard rock quarry from the early 1900s, operating until recently when it became unviable to continue due to the poor quality of excavated material. Products produced included road base and gravel. The site is dominated by a large open excavation (over 100 metres deep) with steep, exposed slopes. Previous Quarry infrastructure also remains on the site such as the crushing facility.
The surrounding area not occupied by the quarry works has varying terrain of natural scrub and bushland. There is remnant Blue Gum High Forest present in significant stands on the north and south western boundaries of the site which is categorised as an endangered ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
The Quarry is listed on the Heritage Register of the National Estate describing it (in part) as the "largest volcanic neck in the Sydney area". The Higgins family cemetery is also located on the site and is listed as a heritage item of State significance under the Hornsby Shire Local Environmental Plan 1994. The cemetery identifies the burial of 23 people, all members of early families in the area and covers the period from 1875 to 1925.
Why has Council acquired it?
The Quarry was zoned ’Greenbelt’ under the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme in 1951. The site was later zoned ’Local Open Space’ under the Hornsby Planning Scheme Ordinance in 1977. The State Government required that the Quarry be zoned ’Local Open Space’ under the Hornsby Shire Local Environmental Plan (HSLEP) in 1994. The Open Space zoning carries with it an obligation for Council to acquire the property upon receipt of a notice in writing from the owner to do so.
In recent years, the Quarry became increasingly unviable and on 22 March 2001, CSR Limited served notice on Council to acquire the site. Council consulted its legal representatives who advised that Council was obliged to acquire the land. Notice of Council’s acquisition was published in the Government Gazette on 25 October 2002.
How much did it cost?
Upon taking ownership of the property, Council requested the Valuer-General to determine the compensation payable to CSR Limited for Council’s compulsory acquisition of the site. The Valuer-General determined that Council would pay $25 million to CSR Limited for the market value of the land and $99,500.00 for disturbances associated with the compulsory acquisition.
Council’s solicitors and senior counsel were requested to review the basis of the valuation to determine whether it was manifestly unreasonable and whether Council could challenge its validity. Council’s legal representatives advised that Council could not challenge the valuation.
What is the public benefit of acquiring Hornsby Quarry?
The rehabilitation of the Quarry and the adjacent degraded open space is paramount. There is a need to stabilise the Quarry, manage and restore the bushland, and resolve the future use of open space, existing buildings and roads. To do nothing is not an option because the quarry is a risk to public safety and has the potential to further degrade the natural environment. The roads are an erosion hazard and the buildings contain fibro and remnant fuel storage facilities which are potential sources of contamination. There is a need to ensure that the site is made safe and managed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Redevelopment of part of the site is an option which may provide land management opportunities to halt the environmental degradation and threat to public safety.
As the land is contiguous with public open space in Old Mans Valley and the Berowra Valley Regional Park, Council’s acquisition of the site will ensure that appropriate land management strategies are implemented in the public interest.
How will the future of Hornsby Quarry and adjoining lands be determined?
At its meeting on 12 August 2009, Council considered a report concerning actions to determine the future use and management of the Hornsby Quarry and adjoining lands in Old Mans Valley. Council resolved to progress actions to fill the Quarry pit with virgin excavated natural material and that filling be limited to that necessary for safety, other operational reasons or where financially viable. Council also resolved to prepare a Masterplan for Old Mans Valley that identifies a range of recreation facilities. In accordance with Council’s resolution, a consultant (Cardno) has been engaged to assist Council to seek the planning and environmental approvals necessary to enable the filling of the Quarry pit.
How can I contribute?
Public participation is a key element in considering future filling of the Quarry pit and investigating recreational uses for Old Mans Valley. Opportunities will be available for members of the community to comment on these matters at various stages throughout the process. Advertisements will be placed in local newspapers and on Council’s website and displays placed at key locations to inform residents on how they can be involved in the decision making process.