Hornsby Shire Council's commitment to a major new sport and recreation space on Sydney's North Shore reached a significant milestone yesterday when Hornsby Shire Council resolved to provide owner's consent and lodge a Development Application (DA) for its major park project at Westleigh.
Adopted in June after extensive community engagement, the Master Plan for Westleigh Park 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. The DA will seek assessment and determination 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 field when not being used for athletics.
Hornsby Shire Council Mayor Phillip Ruddock AO said that the new park would provide vital recreation space, helping to address a major shortfall in the area.
"We are excited and proud to take this significant step forward in providing the community with the vital recreation space it needs and wants. Lodging a DA for this new park is yet another demonstration of our full commitment to delivering the infrastructure that has been promised to our community, as outlined in the Westleigh Park Master Plan, our Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Long Term Financial Plan.
"To all the girls who have been inspired by the Matildas to follow their passion for football or other sports, I say Hornsby Shire Council supports you. These new facilities at Westleigh Park will address the major shortfall in sportsfields 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 that 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 and the receipt of $40 million in funding from the NSW Government in 2018.
The Westleigh Park DA will be lodged this month. It is expected that construction will begin in the 2024/25 financial year with Stage One scheduled to open in 2026. For more details on Westleigh Park visit hornsby.nsw.gov.au/westleighpark.
Also at last night's meeting, Council:
- Determined Mayoral Minutes about a review of gas connections in new buildings, bushfire risk and the passing of Former Councillor Ron Leslie.
- Received and noted the June 2023 Performance Report on the 2022-26 Delivery Program, and Quarterly Budget Review Statement.
- Determined which Councillors would vote at the conference the 2023 LGNSW Annual conference.
- Determined Councillor representation on a range of committees.
- Determined a Notice of Motion about safe pedestrian and cyclists use of Old Northern Road between Glenorie and Dural.
- Determined a Notice of Motion about creating a suicide prevention forum.
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 tomorrow afternoon.
