Annual report and water quality top agenda at meeting
The 2018/19 Annual Report was the main item at the November meeting of Hornsby Shire Council, held last night, along with discussion of Council’s water quality monitoring program.
Key highlights of the Annual Report included:
- Significant progress towards the development of a long-term vision for the Shire, with 17 separate studies currently under way;
- A suite of initiatives to improve the design quality of residential flats and town houses;
- An upgrade to Beecroft Station Gardens, including a new carpark at Beecroft Community Centre;
- A range of upgrades to the Waitara Park/Orara Street Precinct, particularly a new inclusive playground, six new tennis courts and an amenity building;
- Significant progress in the goal to plant 25,000 new trees by the end of next year, which is currently over halfway.
“There is a lot to be proud of in the Council’s last year of projects and its general efforts to serve our community,” Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock said.
“Council is still keen to resolve the budget issues that resulted from our boundary changes and continues to press the NSW Government on the issue.”
Council also discussed the Waterway Health Review, which was tabled at last night’s meeting.
“The Review is important because it gives us a solid understanding of water quality trends across the Shire, which we are able to track because of Councils thorough water monitoring program” Mayor Ruddock said.
“The good news is that water quality levels have remained stable as populations have increased.
“Less developed catchments remain in a good condition, while the developed areas have poorer waterway health.”
Council expressed concern about the nutrient concentrations in Berowra Creek, coming from the Hornsby Heights and West Hornsby Treatment Plants.
Council resolved to write to Sydney Water and the Member for Hornsby, asking that Sydney Water actively investigate opportunities to further reduce nutrient levels.
Other items of note at the meeting included a report on councillors’ expenses; adoption of the Hornsby Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee Charter; adoption of the Hornsby Community Participation Plan; new gateway signs for Hornsby Shire’s suburbs; and a resolution to thank the NSW Government for the return of bus services to Cherrybrook, Beecroft and West Pennant Hills, while asking for the 621 bus service to also be reinstated.
The full business papers can be viewed on Council’s website at http://businesspapers.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/?committee=4.
The minutes and a recording of the meeting will also be available on the above page from Friday afternoon.
