Hornsby Shire Council's draft 2025-2029 Delivery Program and 2025/26 Operational Plan (DPOP), which details the many steps Council will take as we work towards becoming a liveable, sustainable, prosperous and collaborative Shire, was adopted for public exhibition at its General Meeting on Wednesday 9 April.
The community has made it clear that the future challenges for Hornsby Shire include, responding to population growth, addressing housing affordability, traffic and transport issues, responding to economic and technological change, taking action on climate change, and enhancing the social resilience within our community.
The DPOP is the blueprint for achieving the community's aims for the coming next four years, as Council continues to prepare for the Shire of the future, ensuring that our infrastructure is of a standard that our growing population expects and can be sustainably maintained. There is a substantial program of capital projects mapped out, largely funded by external grants, development contributions as well as the Special Rate Variation funds.
Maintaining a strong financial future is essential. Hornsby Shire Council has a strong track record of prudent financial management, so will work hard to respond to the pressures of escalating costs, and continues to implement our carefully considered plans as outlined in our Long Term Financial Plan.
Hornsby Shire Mayor Warren Waddell said, "Our Delivery Program and Operational Plan outline what Council will do to achieve the actions and outcomes in our Community Strategic Plan using the resources available. It is our road map as we move closer to our long-term goals of becoming a more active and healthy community with social, mental, and physical well-being a priority for all."
Some of the highlights outlined in the DPOP include:
- Local road and traffic improvements ($7.7 million)
- Footpaths and shared paths ($2 million)
- Improvements to parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities ($9.8 million)
- Draining improvements ($3.9 million)
- Public domain upgrades ($6.6 million)
- Waterways ($2.4 million)
The 2025-2029 Delivery Program and 2025/26 Operational Plan will be available for the community to give feedback from 10 April to 12 May 2025. Following public exhibition and consideration of all submissions, the Delivery Program and Operational Plan will be referred to Council for further consideration, before adoption on 11 June 2025.
Also at last night's meeting, Council:
- Adopted the amended Terms of Reference for the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, reappointed it Chairperson, and determined to seek other independent members through an expression of interest process.
- Following a review, adopted the recommended amendments to Council policies under the jurisdiction of the General Manager's and Corporate Support Divisions.
- Adopted the Asset Management Strategy and Asset Management Plans 2025/26 to 2034/35
- Determined to place the draft Heritage Development Control Plan Amendments to the Hornsby Development Control Plan on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
- Determined to place the draft Dual Occupancy Amendments to the Hornsby Development Control Plan on public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from Friday afternoon.
