Master Plan edges old Hornsby Quarry closer to new life

Hornsby Shire Council has formally established a Master Plan for the $130 million Hornsby Park project, north of Sydney, after a period of extensive community consultation.

The project aims to transform a former quarry into “the Centennial Park of the north,” according to Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock.

Latest announcements have included a canopy skywalk and walking tracks to minimise the impact on the environment, passive recreation spaces and bushland areas, and adventure- and water-based recreation opportunities aimed at young locals.

“A project of this scale requires commitments and contributions from many sources and is being partly funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Stronger Communities grant scheme and also by developer contributions,” Ruddock said.

Since Quarry last reported on the project’s developments in April, a further $35 million has been sourced to fund the project, with $50 million still to go.

Ruddock said feedback from the community had been largely positive, as the project gets closer and closer to being a reality.

“The community feedback expressed a high level of support for the draft Master Plan’s vision for the park, particularly its balance of ‘active’ and ‘passive’ recreation activities and its restoring and protecting the natural environment,” Ruddock said.

“This excellent outcome has been, of course, the result of good planning, extensive consultation with the community and support from both State and Commonwealth governments, creating an exceptional opportunity for Hornsby Shire.”

The first stage of the project is due to open in late 2023 with early settler relics, remnant buildings of the crushing plant and the existing Hornsby Aquatic & Leisure Centre to all play a part.

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