What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Hornsby Shire's direction is set out in 'Your Vision | Your Future 2035', its Community Strategic Plan (endorsed 11 June 2025, replacing the 2032 plan), delivered through the 2026–2030 Delivery Program and annual Operational Plans — the latest adopted 10 June 2026, with a $61.1M capital works program for 2026/27.
The council manages a large, mostly bushland shire — roads, parks, libraries, waste and development across the Hornsby town centre, Pennant Hills/Thornleigh and northern river communities like Berowra and Brooklyn. The 2035 Community Strategic Plan groups the council's work into four themes: Liveable, Sustainable, Prosperous and Collaborative (the outgoing 2032 plan, still reflected in the current Delivery Program's reporting, used the similar themes Liveable, Sustainable, Productive and Collaborative).
The 2026/27 capital works program totals $61.1M, with the largest single allocation ($17.8M) going to the Hornsby Park (former quarry) redevelopment; the council is also partway through an IPART-approved Special Rate Variation (2023/24–2026/27, cumulative 31.05%) aimed at long-term financial sustainability and reducing its infrastructure backlog.
- Hornsby Shire Council — Community Strategic Plan (Your Vision | Your Future 2035) · Endorsed 11 Jun 2025
- Yoursay Hornsby — Draft 2026–2030 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan · Adopted 10 Jun 2026
- Hornsby Shire Council — Annual Report 2024–2025 · 30 Jun 2025
Underway now
Hornsby Park — from Quarry to Parklands
Stage 1 opened 2026; further stages ongoingRedevelopment of the former Hornsby Quarry (handed back to Council by NorthConnex in 2019) into a 60-hectare-plus bushland park. Stage 1 — the restored Crusher Plant Precinct, Southern Lookout and heritage steps — opened to the public in early 2026. Total funding allocation is $91.3M (NSW and Australian Government grants, development contributions and a small Special Rate Variation component); $59.45M had been spent by 30 June 2025, with a further $17.8M budgeted for 2026/27.
Source: Hornsby Shire Council — Annual Report 2024–2025 (Hornsby Park)
Special Rate Variation (2023/24–2026/27)
2023/24 to 2026/27An IPART-approved permanent rate increase above the standard rate peg — 8.5%, 7.5%, 6.5% and 5.5% across the four years, a cumulative 31.05% — that Council says is needed to improve financial sustainability, maintain services, and reduce infrastructure backlogs.
Source: IPART — Hornsby Shire Council Special Variation Application 2023–24: Final Report
Planned / committed
New food organics collection service
from 1 July 2027Council is introducing a new food organics collection service to comply with the NSW Government's Food Organics mandate, funded partly by a 10% rise in the 2026/27 domestic waste charge. The green garden-organics bin remains garden-only in the meantime.
Source: Yoursay Hornsby — Draft 2026–2030 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan
Hornsby Town Centre Special Entertainment Precinct
expected 2026A council-led proposal to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct in Hornsby Town Centre, extending evening trading hours for entertainment and hospitality venues under a Precinct Management Plan. Council endorsed progressing the Planning Proposal for a Gateway Determination at its 10 June 2026 meeting; it will go on public exhibition before any final decision.
Source: Yoursay Hornsby — Hornsby Town Centre Special Entertainment Precinct