A face lift for our Shire's town centres

“The primary goal of these plans is to create attractive meeting places where people can gather and socialise,” Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock said.

“We want to once again make our town centres the hub of our community life.”

The public domain plans will set out design principles, which will then be implemented either through capital works by Council or through agreements with developers.

“We’re not just talking about putting in a few park benches, this is refurbishing the public areas of the town centres from top to bottom,” Mayor Ruddock said.

“The plans will include a range of improvements such as upgraded paving, consistent street lighting and expanded public areas with greater opportunities outdoor dining.”

The areas identified as being in most need of public domain plans include Hornsby (both west and east side), Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Asquith, Galston and Cherrybrook.

Public domain plans will also be created for high-density housing precincts such as that along the Asquith/Mount Colah corridor.

“We are only at the very first step of this process and nothing will be done without significant engagement with the community and other stakeholders,” Mayor Ruddock said.

“Nobody has a greater interest in the health and vitality of our town centres than the people who use them every day.”