Hornsby Shire Council adopts Westleigh Park Masterplan and Plan of Management

Formerly owned by Sydney Water, the site for the new Westleigh Park comprises around 36 hectares of cleared open space and bushland. The redevelopment will create a major parkland with spaces for play and sporting activities, and a choice of ‘unstructured recreation experiences’ including mountain biking, walking and cycling, while conserving important bushland areas.

The draft Master Plan was first exhibited in 2021. Following additional engagement, Council endorsed a revised draft Master Plan for the site and a draft Plan of Management. These were exhibited through March and April 2023 and a significant number of submissions were received, demonstrating strong community interest in the park.

Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock AO said that this outcome was a major step forward in advancing Council’s vision for Westleigh Park.

“We are pleased to take this significant step forward with the Westleigh Park project. After years of careful consideration, the adopted Master Plan and Plan of Management detail how we will provide an outstanding recreational experience for the community at Westleigh while ensuring the long-term protection of the previous bushland,” said Mayor Ruddock.

“We have worked hard to engage extensively with the community and thank everyone who has contributed. All the community’s views are important to us, and this Master Plan and Plan of Management will now support the preparation of a Development Application (DA) on the site which will be assessed by an independent body,” Mayor Ruddock said.

Council will continue to prepare the DA for Westleigh Park; it is anticipated it will be lodged by the end of 2023. To view the adopted Master Plan and Plan of Management visit hornsby.nsw.gov.au/westleighpark.

Also at last night’s General Meeting, Council endorsed two studies, recommended in the Comprehensive Heritage Study aimed at protecting and interpreting Hornsby Shire’s rich heritage, for exhibition.

The draft Aboriginal Heritage Study provides updated data on known Aboriginal sites and places, a greater understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage values. It makes a number of recommendations including new archaeological places to be heritage listed, new management practices and processes for ongoing consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal people.

The draft Heritage Interpretation Strategy and Action Plan provides a comprehensive interpretive strategy that aligns with industry best-practice. It addresses both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal (historical) values and significance of heritage across the Shire, reviews audiences and recommends interpretation examples and opportunities across the Shire.

The draft Aboriginal Heritage Study and draft Heritage Interpretation Strategy and Action Plan will be on exhibition from 23 June until 4 August. To read the documents and share your thoughts visit yoursay.hornsby.nsw.gov.au.

Also at last night’s meeting Council:

• Received and noted the outcome of the feasibility analysis for 1 and 3 Johnson Road, Galston and resolved to prepare a Planning Proposal to rezone this land to E4 General Industrial Zone.
• Noted the Mayor and Councillor fees for the 2023/24 financial year, in accordance with the Local Government Act and the 2023 Report and Determination of the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.
• Adopted the Beecroft Village Green Master Plan.
• Endorsed Agritourism Development Control Plan amendments to the Hornsby Development Control Plan 2013.

The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found on the Council Meetings webpage. The video recording of the meeting will be available from tomorrow afternoon.