Where your rates are making a difference

Renew our public amenities

Public toilet renewal projects were completed at Greenway Park, Cherrybrook; Berowra Waters (Dusthole Bay), Berrilee; and Upper McKell Park, Brooklyn.

Further planned public toilet renewal projects were delayed and are anticipated to be completed in 2025/26. Investigation, design and management works for program is ongoing.

Community centre access and use upgrades

Community centres access improvements have been completed at Hawkins Hall, Thornleigh; Storey Park Community Centre, Asquith; Cherrybrook Community Centre and Pennant Hills Community Centre. Preparation of disability inclusive designs are ongoing.

Designs have been completed for Beecroft and Berowra Community Centre improvements.

Improve sportsgrounds changerooms

Improvements including changerooms and public toilets at Greenway Park, Cherrybrook enhance accessibility and provide better experience for users including local sporting club participants.

Improvements including female-friendly toilet and change rooms at Montview Oval support increased female participation and provide an inclusive environment for a broad range of users.

Prioritised stormwater upgrades

Drainage improvement works through no.24 Wareemba, Thornleigh is complete. Detailed design of drainage improvements through no.4 Wareemba Avenue, Thornleigh is ongoing. These works will improve stormwater drainage and reduce flooding during major storm events.

Bushland asset management

Bush regeneration works on the 48 priority bushland reserves being funded by SRV started in August 2024 and continued throughout 2024/25.

Initial bushland prioritisation work has informed reserve management planning for 2025/26.

Playground upgrades

Charles Curtis Park playground, Normanhurst – upgrade to be constructed 2025/26.

Consultation for Fearnley Park playground, Beecroft, completed. Design finalised and contract awarded. Construction works delayed due to the need to resolve site constraint issues. Completion scheduled for early 2025/26.

Community Resilience Program - climate change adaptation and mitigation

Emergency Management Framework has been developed to build safer, more resilient communities that can withstand, adapt and thrive when threatened by emergencies. The framework integrates climate change risks into planning and preparedness. Rollout of framework is ongoing.

Bushfire risk mitigation

Funds have provided critical support for staffing and operational works across Council-managed land to meet obligations under Section 63 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 and the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. Key activities delivered through 2024/25 include:

• Establishment and ongoing maintenance of 124,628m² of Asset Protection Zones
• Preparation of burn sites earmarked for hazard reduction activities on Council Tenure
• Procurement of plant, equipment and personal protective clothing to support bush fire mitigation operations by council staff

Community Development Programs

Hello Hornsby program has fostered social connection, combatted isolation, and promoted wellbeing for Hornsby Shire residents aged 60 and over by providing a program of free activities, outings, information sessions, and workshops during the year. These include:

• Coffee and Chat sessions
• Seniors Week events including a concert and an art exhibition
• Harmony Day events held in collaboration with external providers
• Mental Health Month trip to Canoelands Orchard
• Carers Week morning tea at Hornsby Library
• Grandparents Day trip to Koala Park
• Emergency Expo in Hornsby Mall in collaboration with NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, Women’s Shelter, Lions Club, St Johns Ambulance NSW
• Senior Sing session in Social Isolation Week
• Dementia Action Week trip on Riverboat Postman along the Hawkesbury River for people living with dementia and their carers
• Hornsby Library hosted event showcasing author and LGBTQIA+ campaigner Benjamin Law

Shared paths - footpaths and cycleways

Construction of shared path at Ramsay Road, Pennant Hills was completed in August 2025. The shared path is in accordance with Council’s adopted Walking and Cycling Strategy and will improve pedestrian and cyclist amenity, road user safety, and contribute to reducing traffic congestion.

Investigation, design and management works for program is ongoing.

Shared zones at Quarry Road, Hornsby Park has been deferred to 2025/26.

Track and trail upgrades for accessibility

Consultants were engaged for Hornsby Park and Links bushwalking track wayfinding signage following a competitive request for quote process and are progressing manufacture of wayfinding signage. Final content/design inclusions will progress into 2025/26 in coordination with Hornsby Park wayfinding strategy prior to printing and installation of signs for bushwalking.

Installation of Salt Pan Reserve accessible path and loop links completed, with approximately 370 linear metres of 1.8m wide concrete pathway from Brooklyn Rd to the Salt Pan bushland gardens, suitable for all mobility types. Next stage of project is continuing in 2025/26 with landscaping, path edge treatments and signage proposed.

The design, manufacture and installation of bushland wayfinding signage for the Deep Bay Creek Loop/Turner Trail Loop section is underway and due to be completed in 2025/26. Scoping for future track upgrades progressed, and draft plans completed. Helicopter operations were successfully carried out mid-May to assist track upgrade progression.

Track and trail maintenance

The tracks and trails maintenance program progressed with works involving a combination of scheduled surface and vegetation works, together with reactive storm damage repairs, with a focus on Council’s most accessible tracks.

Planning progressed in relation to procurement of a series of pedestrian counters that will improve usage monitoring of Council’s walking track networks and inform future management. Repairs to interpretive signage sculptures at Carrs Bush Discovery Walk was completed.