In Hornsby Shire Council’s first general meeting for 2023, a new Deputy Mayor was elected for a 12-month term and progress was shared on its 2022−2026 Delivery Program – including the 2022/23 Operational Plan and Budget outcomes for the first half of the 2022/23 financial year.
Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock, was happy to welcome Councillor Warren Waddell into the role as Deputy Mayor and shared the developments for the Community Strategic Plan.
“The community has outlined its vision for Hornsby Shire through the Community Strategic Plan and the Delivery Program and Operational Plan roadmap how we will achieve these goals. I’m delighted that this Performance Report reveals that we have continued to deliver the highest possible service for the community within our financial means,” Mayor Ruddock said.
“Across the Shire, we spent $36 million, much of it received as grants from the NSW Government, on services for the community. We completed capital projects including upgrading four parks and playgrounds including a major new playground at Warrina Street Oval, Berowra and a new dog park at Hunt Reserve. We upgraded four sporting facilities, which included completing the upgrades to the Mark Taylor Oval and we delivered a new indoor cricket centre at this facility.”
That $36 million also built a new scenic viewing platform at Quarter Sessions Road in Westleigh and delivered a new accessible path at McKell Park in Brooklyn.
Council delivered five new footpaths, built two new pontoons and opened the new three-lane boat ramp at Wisemans Ferry, as well as a significant drainage project in Mount Colah, and the installation of a device to keep the region’s streams and rivers clean.
“We promoted arts, culture and resilience across the Shire through a range of events and activities and reinforced our commitment to having meaningful conversations with our residents by welcoming voluntary community members to several committees and advisory groups and consulting on a large range project and programs,” Mayor Ruddock said.
“While we forecast a moderate surplus, a review of the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) identified the need to take a number of actions to secure long term financial stability and maintain our high levels of service for the community. Following extensive consultation, we updated and adopted a revised LTFP, and Council resolved to advise IPART of its intention to make, and subsequently submitted, an application for an SRV to ensure we build a strong financial future for Hornsby Shire.”
