Message from the Mayor

Message from

the Mayor

Unquestionably, this most recent term of Council, from September 2017 till June 2021, will be long remembered as one of the most noteworthy in the history of Hornsby Shire. Despite many recent challenges – from the unusually intense 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires to the global Coronavirus emergency and economic crisis – our resilient community has emerged more cohesive, inclusive, diverse and prosperous. Not least among the many challenges facing Council in this term was the $10 million hit to our yearly financial bottom-line resulting from the NSW Government’s 2016 ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reforms. Ironically, despite the reforms intending to ensure NSW councils had enough scale to meet the challenges of the future, a large part of Hornsby Shire’s rates base was transferred to the City of Parramatta – and so threatened our ability to deliver on both current and future community priorities. However, by a combination of good financial management, and a willingness by the NSW Government to provide part-compensation for the financial impact of the boundary changes, Council has not only maintained a sustainable financial position but has undertaken many major projects. Not least of those projects presently underway or now providing a wide range of benefits to our residents are the Hornsby Park and Westleigh Park redevelopments, the award-winning expansion and redevelopment of the Waitara Park/Orara Street Precinct in Waitara, and the Storey Park redevelopment in Asquith, among others. Council has also stepped up efforts advocating with the NSW Government for the needs of the local community. For example, Council is working with Transport for NSW to develop a master plan and planning controls for the Hornsby Town Centre, we are lobbying the NSW Government to improve active transport and on-demand bus services around the Cherrybrook Metro Station precinct, and we have teamed up with other councils to develop a Coastal Management Program for the longterm strategic coordination of the Hawkesbury River and its tributaries, along with many other initiatives reported here. Our residents feel their access to community infrastructure has, for the most part, improved and they continue to feel safe walking and on public transport. I am proud to say, that notwithstanding the many recent challenges, Hornsby Shire residents have demonstrably maintained their strong sense of living in a wonderful community. Indeed, if anything, the recent emergencies have heightened our awareness of the bountiful natural gifts bestowed on our Shire. Nothing better illustrates that than the extraordinary success of our ‘Greening Our Shire’ program, in which 2,280 community volunteers worked alongside Council staff to plant 30,000 new trees, including more than 10,000 street trees, and over 40,000 other plants all in less than two years. It’s almost impossible to put a value on community spirit like that – and of that shown by so many other of our other residents, of our volunteers active in so many areas, of our hard-working Council staff and my fellow Councillors. To them all, I convey my most profound thanks and appreciation.

Philip Ruddock AO Mayor