General Manager’s Message

Hornsby Shire Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan is the blueprint for achieving the community’s agenda for the coming 12 months. After the challenges of the past year, there is now emerging a climate of renewed optimism as we move ahead and begin work on an exceptional program of carefully-planned major projects and initiatives for 2022/23. Prominent amongst these will be completing detailed design, seeking approvals for, and then beginning the works detailed in Council’s adopted Master Plan for the Hornsby Park project, including the construction of bulk earthworks and site stabilisation which commenced in late 2021. This year will also see us adopt the Plan of Management and Project Master Plan for Westleigh Park, undertake detailed design, approvals and commence initial construction. Throughout, we will be managing and maintaining sports grounds, recreational facilities, parks, reserves, picnic facilities, and playgrounds throughout the Shire. We are planning facility improvements, including: „ preparing a site Master Plan for an expanded Pennant Hills Library and

Community Centre; „ undertaking feasibility analysis for a preferred location for the proposed new Cherrybrook Library and Community Centre; „ completing the roof replacement and associated works at Galston Aquatic and Leisure Centre; and „ installing solar and energy efficiency at Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure

Centre. A major priority for Council is ensuring the Shire’s roads and footpaths are safe and reliable. Apart from constructing another 2.3 kilometres of newly paved footpaths over the coming 12 months, Council will complete: „ our Local Roads Improvements capital works program, including the

Asquith-Mount Colah streetscape improvements project; and „ upgrades to Arcadia Road in Galston; Burns Road North, Wahroonga;

Bushlands Avenue, Hornsby Heights and Yirra Road, Mount Colah. We will identify funding opportunities for additional bicycle and pedestrian facilities, influenced by good design practice and in cooperation with bicycle user groups, to help people to move around safely, sustainably and comfortably. In the cultural space, Council will begin implementing our new Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Healthy Ageing Hornsby Strategy, and we will develop an Arts and Cultural Plan and a Social Plan for the Shire. Preparation of a vulnerability assessment will help us to determine the future impact of climate change on biodiversity and develop a biodiversity monitoring program for Council–managed lands. These exciting projects are just a small sample of what’s planned for the coming year – alongside all the other services and amenities that Council makes available all year round. As always, Hornsby Shire Council is committed to consulting with the community on all projects and initiatives we undertake. I encourage you to visit the ‘Have Your Say’ section of our website to find out how you can get involved in the many initiatives outlined in this document; and to look through this Delivery Program and Operational Plan to see just how much Council and the community are achieving by working together. Steven Head General Manager