Hornsby Shire Council's commitment to a major new sport and recreation space in Sydney's northern region reached a significant milestone yesterday when the independent Sydney North Planning Panel approved a Development Application (DA) for its major park project at Westleigh.
The DA followed the June 2023 adoption of the Master Plan for Westleigh Park. The approved DA outlines how the redevelopment will create a major parkland with much-needed spaces for the community to play sport as well as enjoy 'unstructured recreation experiences', while conserving important bushland areas. It is for the entire scope of the project, which will be delivered in stages.
As well as amenities, parking and walking and bike trails, Stage One will feature a multipurpose platform with a natural turf sports field which could be adapted to make two full size competition football fields, two full-size Rugby fields, or a full-size AFL field available to the community and a full-size cricket field during summer.
Plans for Stage Two include another flexible turf sports field accommodating two football fields, two Rugby fields, or an AFL field, and a cricket field during summer, as well as a senior competition grade athletics track and internal athletics field that could also accommodate a fifth football fieldwhen not being used for athletics.
Hornsby Shire Council Mayor Warren Waddell said that the new park would provide vital recreation space, helping to address a major shortfall in the area.
"We're proud and excited that after years of extensive community consultation, investigations and planning, the independent panel has given the project the green light," said Mayor Waddell.
"This is a great win for residents of Hornsby Shire and the northern Sydney region, giving us the opportunity to meet the ever-growing need for open space and recreation facilities for the area. These new facilities at Westleigh Park will address the major shortfall in sports fields and become a Mecca for girls, and boys, from the North-West and beyond to develop their skills and enjoy the many benefits to physical and mental health that sport and recreation bring."
The 36-hectare parcel of land was purchased by Council in 2016 for $21 million to address the increasing demands for active recreation within the Shire arising from an increase in population, an increase in participation in outdoor recreation, an increase in female participation in sports, and changing trends for both team sports and individual recreational.
The Master Plan was developed following the adoption of the Hornsby Sportsground Strategy in 2018.
