NSW · Greater Sydney (Upper North Shore) · Local council, made simple
Hornsby Shire Council
The 'Bushland Shire' on Sydney's Upper North Shore — around 154,800 people across Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Berowra, Asquith and Galston, with roughly 70% of the LGA covered by public bushland between Berowra Valley and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Parks. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, libraries, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rates rose 6.5% under an approved Special Rate Variation
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyHornsby's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Warren Waddell (Liberal)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 9847 6666
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~154,800 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Hornsby Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
2026–2030 Delivery Program, 2026/27 Operational Plan and budget adopted
Council adopted its 2026–2030 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan, including a $61.1M capital works program, the 2026/27 rates and a 10% rise in the domestic waste charge to help fund a new food organics collection service.
What this means for you: This sets Council's budget, projects and charges for 2026/27, including how your rates and waste charge are changing and what capital works (like Hornsby Park) are funded.
Source: Yoursay Hornsby
- Have your say
Council progresses Hornsby Town Centre Special Entertainment Precinct proposal
At its 10 June 2026 meeting, Council endorsed submitting the Hornsby Town Centre Special Entertainment Precinct Planning Proposal and draft Precinct Management Plan to the state government for a Gateway Determination.
What this means for you: If approved, the Planning Proposal and Precinct Management Plan (covering trading hours and noise conditions for the town centre) will go on public exhibition for at least 28 days — residents and businesses will get a chance to comment before any final decision.
Source: Yoursay Hornsby
- Development
Hornsby Park's first stage opens on the site of the former quarry
Council opened the first stage of Hornsby Park — the restored Crusher Plant Precinct, a cantilevered Southern Lookout, and upgraded 1930s heritage steps — on the site of the former Hornsby Quarry.
What this means for you: Residents can now visit the Crusher Plant Precinct, picnic shelters, barbecues and lookout trails; further stages (a quarry loop track, more lookouts, a bike pump track and the Old Mans Valley Field of Play) are still under construction.
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