Mayor Waddell shares what’s happening in Hornsby Shire
PRESERVING HORNSBY PARK
Groundbreaking soil trials at Hornsby Park help to restore native plants
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
Head to Fagan Park this spring, you won’t be disappointed
MEET THE SPINY CRAYFISH
Learn how to nip pollution in the bud and keep our creeks clean
LOCAL HEROES
Get in touch with your Councillors 10 08
UPGRADES ACROSS THE SHIRE
Latest upgrades to parks and playgrounds
BUSINESS WASTE SERVICES
Check out your local BizWaste services
YOUR COUNCILLORS
Hornsby Shire Council
Message Mayor’s
WELCOME TO ‘OUR COUNCIL’, OUR QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, BRINGING YOU NEWS OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS HORNSBY SHIRE.
As the days grow longer and the bushland begins to bloom, spring brings a sense of renewal and excitement across Hornsby Shire. The stunning photo of beautiful spring flowers on the front cover was taken at Fagan Park - our world-class parklands in Galston - which is currently in full bloom.
Coined ‘the people’s park’, Fagan Park truly has something for everyone. From themed gardens from around the world to the historic homestead, unique children’s forest, and new off-leash dog park, the whole family will be entertained. Find out more and plan your visit on page four.
While Fagan Park is perfect for a full day out, we’ve also been busy delivering new and upgraded playgrounds and exercise equipment at local parks across the Shire. Read more about the upgraded facilities at Berry Park, Mount Colah; Mills Park, Asquith; and Moorfield Hills Reserve, Dural on page 10.
I’m also pleased to report that progress continues on our major project at Hornsby Park. We recently secured funding from the NSW Government through its Metropolitan Greenspace Program to deliver a shared path for walkers and cyclists around the quarry void.
Following its previous life as a quarry, it has taken years of careful work to restore the area to a place where nature now thrives. Learn more about this transformation on page two.
While our stunning Bushland Shire is well known for its greenery, did you know we are also surrounded by an extensive network of creeks and waterways that
feed into the Hawkesbury River? The health of our creeks is critically important to support the many creatures that inhabit them, including crayfish, which are indicators of waterway health and support other life. Read about some simple and effective steps you can take to help keep our creeks clean on page six.
As Mayor, I’m very proud of all the staff who work behind the scenes to provide a huge range of services and initiatives for our community. From maintaining our roads to delivering events, preserving local history, and ensuring our pets are well cared for, Council delivers so much. I’m delighted that we can introduce you to some of our quiet achievers on page eight so you can get to know a few of our local heroes.
As we head into spring, it’s also a good opportunity to start preparing for bushfires and other emergencies. I encourage you to get prepared by completing an emergency plan using the Red Cross Get Prepared app. It’s a free, easy-to-use tool to help you prepare for any type of emergency. You can use it to establish a quick and easy network of support with three key contacts, review the risks relevant to where you live, and create checklists. Watch a video and discover more at hornsby.nsw.gov.au/emergencies.
I hope you enjoy the latest issue of our quarterly magazine, and I look forward to seeing you out and about in the Shire this spring. As always, if you have any enquiries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at wwaddell@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
Warren Waddell Mayor, Hornsby Shire Council
PRESERVING THE FUTURE hornsby park
PRESERVING HORNSBY PARK
Since the former Hornsby Quarry site was returned to Council in late 2019, we’ve been working hard to turn it into a safe and vibrant park for everyone to enjoy. Behind the scenes, this has meant building access tracks, drainage systems, retaining walls, and stabilising the quarry walls, all while preparing to restore the surrounding bushland.
GROUNDBREAKING SOIL TRIALS
A major milestone in transforming the Quarry into a thriving natural space has been the successful completion of soil trials. These trials have helped us understand how to restore the native plant communities that once flourished here.
We tested three different soil mixes using native seedlings - crushed sandstone from the NorthConnex project, volcanic breccia from the site itself and a 50/50 blend of both.
These mixes were carefully selected to suit the two native plant communities found in the area, the Blue Gum Diatreme Forest and the Blackbutt Gully Forest.
We examined soil chemistry, plant growth, and overall plant health. The results showed that with the right treatment, we can create healthy soil using materials already available on-site. This means we can grow native plants sustainably across the park, without needing to import new soil.
It’s a win for the environment and for the community. By restoring the land naturally, we’re helping native ecosystems thrive and creating a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy, now and for generations to come.
RESTORING AND PROTECTING OUR BUSHLAND
As we build new spaces for recreation, we’re also working to protect and restore Hornsby Park’s bushland. Our Vegetation Management and Habitat Creation Plan guides this work, helping us care for native plants and animals, including the rare Blue Gum Diatreme Forest and its link to Berowra Valley National Park.
The plan focuses on:
Protecting native vegetation and wildlife during and after construction
Restoring habitat corridors and natural processes
Managing the bushland to keep it healthy over time
Blending habitat protection with walking and cycling paths
We’re especially proud to support species like the Powerful Owl, which has successfully nested in the area.
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
In April, we invited Bushcare volunteers to help plant 600 native seedlings near the Western Lookout, a beautiful spot overlooking the diatreme wall and surrounding Blue Gum High Forest. It was a chance to thank volunteers for their patience during construction and celebrate their role in restoring the site.
Once the park opens, we hope to start a new Bushcare group here, continuing our shared commitment to protecting this special place.
FIND OUT MORE
To view the latest updates on Hornsby Park, scan the QR code or visit: hornsbypark.com.au
fagan park SPRING TIME SPLENDOUR IN THE SHIRE
Celebrate the season with a perfect spring day out at Fagan Park – one of Hornsby Shire’s most beautiful and award-winning attractions. With 55 hectares of rolling green space, manicured gardens, and family-friendly facilities, it’s a destination that truly comes alive in spring.
GARDENS OF MANY NATIONS
Explore the Gardens of Many Nations, a 10-hectare showcase of 11 themed gardens including Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Mediterranean, and more. Each garden offers a unique cultural experience and a stunning display of seasonal colour.
CARRS BUSH DISCOVERY TRACK
Wander the Carrs Bush Discovery Track, a 250-metre raised boardwalk loop through the critically endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. Kids will love the fun, educational signage about native plants and animals.
PICNIC AND EVENT FACILITIES
Families can enjoy a picnic under the trees, use the electric barbecues, or hire one of the picnic shelters for a special gathering. Bookings for shelters, weddings, and photography sessions can be made via the website.
CHILDREN’S FOREST AND PLAYGROUNDS
The award-winning Children’s Forest is a must-visit, featuring a pond with stepping stones, timber animal sculptures, discovery pods, grassy picnic areas, and accessible pathways. There are also two large playgrounds, bicycle paths, and a short bushwalking trail.
NETHERBY COTTAGE AND RURAL MUSEUM
Step back in time at Netherby Homestead and Rural Museum, a beautifully preserved 1900s-era family home that offers a glimpse into Hornsby Shire’s rich heritage.
Fagan Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset (closed Christmas Day).
Scan the QR code
Plan your visit: hornsby.nsw.gov.au/faganpark
freshwater crayfish indicators of CREEK HEALTH
This spring, take a walk by your local creek; you might meet one of your lesser-known neighbours: the freshwater spiny crayfish.
These fascinating locals are more than curious creek dwellers; they can help tell the health of a waterway. Because spiny crayfish are sensitive to pollution, sediment, and changes in water quality, they offer useful clues to how a creek is functioning.
Two species live in Hornsby Shire: the Giant Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus spinifer) and the Sydney Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus australasiensis) . They can live up to 50 years and rarely move burrows, so if you saw a local crayfish as a kid, it may still be there to show your own children. Crayfish burrows, built into creek
ecosystem engineers, crayfish help maintain stream structure and recycle organic matter, playing an essential role in the ecosystem.
It’s not just what they eat, but what eats them. Only 1 in 1,000 survives to adulthood because juvenile crayfish are a vital food source for dragonflies, frogs, fish, water dragons, rakali, eels, and even platypuses. So, if crayfish disappear due to unhealthy creeks and rivers, so will much of our aquatic life.
Dirty stormwater, full of sediment, chemicals, and nutrients, can smother burrows and poison food sources. Crayfish face threats from illegal trapping, sediment runoff, garden pesticides, and nutrient overload from grass clippings and leaves. What
Hornsby
nip creek pollution in the bud
Mow Smart. Catch grass clippings and put them in the green bin –don’t let them wash into drains.
Sweep your street gutter and nature strip while you’re taking bins to the kerb. Pop leaves into the green bin or compost.
Pesticide check. Never use before rain. Avoid products with the harmful-to-aquatic-life symbol (dead tree and a fish).
Install a rainwater tank to catch roof runoff, reduce stormwater pollution, and water your garden for free.
Learn soil and erosion rules when building, renovating, or landscaping. (Up to four truckloads of soil can run off one building site in a single storm.)
Leave only paw prints. Always bin dog poo in a public bin or your red lid garbage bin.
Plant natives near creeks or leave a plant buffer. They filter runoff, stabilise banks, and support wildlife.
Pick up rubbish when you see it and reduce single-use plastics. Every bottle or wrapper removed helps wildlife and water quality.
Wash your car on the lawn or at a car wash. Avoid washing it on the road or driveway; it’s even better if you use eco-detergents.
Fertilise wisely. Never before rain and use only what’s needed; a little goes a long way.
Learn more and explore what Council does to improve stormwater infrastructure and monitor waterway health at hornsby.nsw.gov.au/waterways
heroes our local
From fixing potholes to preserving local history, our staff work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to make our community safer, greener and more connected.
JACKIE: PRESERVING OUR PAST
Working in our Information and Community History team at Hornsby Library, Jackie plays a vital role in collecting, preserving and sharing items that showcase the history of our Shire, from photographs and paintings to trophies and rare documents (such as this large leather-bound rate book from 1907).
“I love helping people discover the stories of where they live.”
Whether it’s through Throwback Thursday posts on social media, managing the family history group or the Hornsby Shire Recollects database, Jackie’s work ensures our past remains accessible to all.
GREG: KEEPING OUR ROADS SAFE
As a Ganger in the Asset Operations Team, Greg is often spotted repairing roads, footpaths, kerbs and stormwater drains across our Shire.
“I love working with a great bunch of people and having opportunities to grow within the organisation.”
According to the NRMA’s Backlog Report in May 2025, Hornsby Shire reduced its backlog of potholes by 70% in the 2024 financial year.
How? Thanks to:
Our community for reporting potholes
Our crews for fast responses
Our commitment to safer, smoother roads
Report potholes and road issues via our website hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Hornsby Shire
PHIL: KEEPING PETS AND OUR PEOPLE SAFE
With 37 years of service, Animal Control Officer Phil is a familiar face in our Shire. Phil plays a crucial role in companion animal management, investigating dog attacks, reuniting lost pets with owners, and educating the community on responsible pet ownership.
“I love the people I meet, the people I work with and of course, all the furry friends,” he says.
AARON: GROWING COMMUNITY AT LISGAR GARDENS
Horticulturist Aaron brings Lisgar Gardens to life with sustainable practices and a passion for community connection, supporting both heritage and biodiversity in our Shire.
A key part of his work is caring for Lisgar’s spectacular camellia collection, a heritage jewel made up of 240 hybrid varieties of Camellia japonica, reticulata and sasanqua. Through organic fertilising and onsite composting of green waste, Aaron
ensures the gardens burst into bloom creating a visual feast for all who visit.
Local kindergarten groups explore and learn through nature play and garden and bushwalking groups visit to share tips and stories with Aaron.
“What I love most is the opportunity to connect with the community, listen to feedback, and share knowledge, especially around biodynamics and companion planting.”
JEMIMA: CREATING UNFORGETTABLE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES
Jemima is the powerhouse behind Hornsby’s major community celebrations, from Food Truck Fridays to Westside Vibe, Australia Day and more.
“What I love most about working at Council is the like-minded attitude of my team. Everyone goes above and beyond to give the community the very best experience.”
Community events bring vibrancy to our Shire and help people enjoy where they live. They’re also an awesome opportunity to showcase local artists, vendors and suppliers, while giving families, friends and groups a chance to come together and enjoy free or low-cost entertainment in our local spaces.
TO
EVERY
STAFF MEMBER WHO
HELPS MAKE HORNSBY SHIRE A BETTER PLACE – THANK YOU. YOUR DEDICATION, PASSION AND SERVICE ARE WHAT TRULY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SHINE.
UPGRADES LATEST PARK AND PLAYGROUND
NEW PLAYGROUNDS TO EXPLORE ACROSS THE SHIRE
Three local parks have recently been transformed into beautiful, family-friendly destinations. With vibrant new equipment, nature-inspired play areas and improved accessibility, these upgraded spaces in Mount Colah, Asquith and Dural are already bringing smiles to children and parents alike.
BERRY PARK, MOUNT COLAH
A busy hub for weekend sport, Berry Park now offers even more for families with the addition of a thoughtfully designed playground. The new play space gives children a chance to climb, swing and explore before or after games – or while siblings are on the field.
Set beside native bushland, the playground includes a large climbing frame with slide, a swing set with accessible basket seat, and a nature play trail that winds through the surrounding vegetation.
Fitness stations, picnic seating, improved accessible parking and a pedestrian circuit path complete the upgrade, creating a space that’s inclusive, connected to nature, and shaped by community feedback.
DID YOU KNOW?
Each playground was shaped by community input and designed to meet the needs of local families. You can provide feedback on upcoming playground upgrades on our Your Say website.
To learn more, scan the QR code or visit: yoursay.hornsby.nsw.gov.au
MILLS PARK, ASQUITH
Mills Park Playground has received a fantastic upgrade, with new playground equipment, three picnic settings, a waste-themed mural on the tennis hit-up wall and pedestrian lighting making the park more inviting. The playground has been moved closer to established trees to make use of the natural shade, with additional trees planted to further enhance the playground’s canopy. Supported by a Local Small Commitments Allocation grant from the NSW Government, the project also includes new fitness equipment which is expected to be complete by the end of September, weather permitting.
MOORFIELD HILLS RESERVE, DURAL
Described by locals as a ‘beautiful upgrade’, Moorfield Hills Reserve Playground has been elevated to a Local Level facility. The refreshed play space features a large play tower, basket swing, four-way rocker and inclusive play panels. New informal seating, picnic tables and an accessible concrete path from Ravensbourne Circuit make the area easier to navigate and more enjoyable for all.
bizwaste services
YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS WASTE PARTNER
Hornsby Shire Council is committed to helping local businesses thrive. A strong business community means vibrant, connected neighbourhoods – and efficient waste management is a key part of that success.
BizWaste Services offers convenient, flexible, and sustainable solutions to suit your business needs. We provide collection, recycling, and disposal services for:
Garbage
Recycling
Paper and cardboard
Garden waste
Bulky waste
WHY CHOOSE BIZWASTE?
Local expertise – we understand the Shire’s businesses and their unique requirements
Tailored, cost-effective service packages
A dedicated fleet of over 30 trucks operating across the Shire, seven days a week
Assurance that your waste is responsibly managed under long-term contracts with reputable contractors, helping you maximise recycling and support a circular economy
GET STARTED TODAY!
Book your free waste assessment and quote: 13 70 30 bizwaste@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Clr Ben McSweeney 0423 411 928 bmcsweeney@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Council recognises the Traditional Owners of the lands of Hornsby Shire, the Dharug and GuriNgai peoples, and pays respect to their Ancestors and Elders past and present and to their Heritage.
We acknowledge and uphold their intrinsic connections and continuing relationships to Country.
GET IN TOUCH
‘Our Council’ is a Hornsby Shire Council publication. Send us your feedback or suggestions for stories to: media@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Subscribe to our free monthly eNews: hornsby.nsw.gov.au/enews
CONTACT DETAILS
Hornsby Shire Council
PO Box 37, Hornsby NSW 1630
Phone: 9847 6666
Fax: (02) 9847 6999
Email: hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Customer service (telephone and online) hours: 8.30am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) In person: Customer Enquiries counter is located inside Hornsby Library, 28-44 George Street, Hornsby hornsby.nsw.gov.au
This publication is printed on Sovereign Silk Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified paper using vegetable oil based inks and an alcohol-free ISO 14001 certified printing process.
