Agenda of General Meeting - Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Hornsby Shire Council Agenda and Summary of Recommendations

Page 0

AGENDA AND SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

PRESENT

NATIONAL ANTHEM

OPENING PRAYER/S

Acknowledgement of RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Statement by the Chairperson:

"We recognise our Shire's rich cultural and religious diversity and we acknowledge and pay respect to the beliefs of all members of our community, regardless of creed or faith."

Acknowledgement of Country

Statement by the Chairperson:

"Council recognises the Traditional Owners of the lands of Hornsby Shire, the Darug 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."

Video and AUDIO RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETING

Statement by the Chairperson:

"I advise all present that tonight's meeting is being video streamed live via Council’s website and also audio recorded for the purposes of providing a record of public comment at the meeting, supporting the democratic process, broadening knowledge and participation in community affairs, and demonstrating Council’s commitment to openness and accountability. The audio and video recordings of the non-confidential parts of the meeting will be made available on Council’s website once the Minutes have been finalised. All speakers are requested to ensure their comments are relevant to the issue at hand and to refrain from making personal comments or criticisms. No other persons are permitted to record the Meeting, unless specifically authorised by Council to do so."

APOLOGIES / LEAVE OF ABSENCE

political donations disclosure

Statement by the Chairperson:

“In accordance with Section 10.4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, any person or organisation who has made a relevant planning application or a submission in respect of a relevant planning application which is on tonight’s agenda, and who has made a reportable political donation or gift to a Councillor or employee of the Council, must make a Political Donations Disclosure Statement.

If a Councillor or employee has received a reportable political donation or gift from a person or organisation who has made a relevant planning application or a submission in respect of a relevant planning application which is on tonight’s agenda, they must declare a non-pecuniary conflict of interests to the meeting, disclose the nature of the interest and manage the conflict of interests in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct.”

declarations of interest

Clause 4.16 and 4.17 of Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors requires that a councillor or a member of a Council committee who has a pecuniary interest in a matter which is before the Council or committee and who is present at a meeting of the Council or committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable. The disclosure is also to be submitted in writing (on the form titled “Declaration of Interest”).

4.16 A councillor who has a pecuniary interest in any matter with which the council is concerned, and who is present at a meeting of the council or committee at which the matter is being considered, must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable.

4.17 The councillor must not be present at, or in sight of, the meeting of the council or committee:

a) at any time during which the matter is being considered or discussed by the council or committee, or

b) at any time during which the council or committee is voting on any question in relation to the matter.

Clause 5.10 and 5.11 of Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors requires that a councillor or a member of a Council committee who has a non pecuniary interest in a matter which is before the Council or committee and who is present at a meeting of the Council or committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable. The disclosure is also to be submitted in writing (on the form titled “Declaration of Interest”).

5.10 Significant non-pecuniary conflict of interests must be managed in one of two ways:

a) by not participating in consideration of, or decision making in relation to, the matter in which you have the significant non-pecuniary conflict of interest and the matter being allocated to another person for consideration or determination, or

b) if the significant non-pecuniary conflict of interest arises in relation to a matter under consideration at a council or committee meeting, by managing the conflict of interest as if you had a pecuniary interest in the matter by complying with clauses 4.16 and 4.17.

5.11 If you determine that you have a non-pecuniary conflict of interest in a matter that is not significant and does not require further action, when disclosing the interest you must also explain in writing why you consider that the non-pecuniary conflict of interest is not significant and does not require further action in the circumstances.

confirmation of minutes

THAT the Minutes of the General Meeting held on 13 October, 2021 be confirmed; a copy having been distributed to all Councillors.

Petitions

presentations

Rescission Motions

Mayoral Minutes

ITEMS PASSED BY EXCEPTION / CALL FOR SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS

Note:

Persons wishing to address Council on matters which are on the Agenda are permitted to speak, prior to the item being discussed, and their names will be recorded in the Minutes in respect of that particular item.

Persons wishing to address Council on non agenda matters, are permitted to speak after all items on the agenda in respect of which there is a speaker from the public have been finalised by Council. Their names will be recorded in the Minutes under the heading "Public Forum for Non Agenda Items".

GENERAL BUSINESS

· Items for which there is a Public Forum Speaker

· Public Forum for non agenda items

· Balance of General Business items

Office of the General Manager

Page Number 1

Item 1 GM35/21 Hornsby Shire Council Annual Report 2020/21, and End of Term Report 2021 on the Implementation of Hornsby Shire's Community Strategic Plan

RECOMMENDATION

THAT:

1. The Hornsby Shire Council Annual Report 2020/21 attached to General Manager’s Report No. GM35/21 be received and noted.

2. The document titled “End of Term Report 2021” attached to General Manager’s Report No. GM35/21 be received and noted and form part of the Annual Report.

3. The Annual Report be supplemented by Council’s 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements once they are “presented to the public” at the 10 November 2021 General Meeting.

Page Number 12

Item 2 GM49/21 Code of Conduct Complaints - Annual Report

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the contents of General Manager’s Report No. GM49/21 be received and noted.

Page Number 15

Item 3 GM50/21 COVID-19 Pandemic - Update on Council's Response

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the contents of the General Manager’s Report No. GM50/21 be received and noted.

Page Number 20

Item 4 GM53/21 Audit Risk & Improvement Committee - OLG Guidelines and Appointment of Chairperson

RECOMMENDATION

THAT:

1. Mr Stephen Coates be appointed as the Chairperson of the Hornsby Shire Council Audit Risk and Improvement Committee.

2. The fee offered to Mr Coates be $16,000 per annum.

Corporate Support Division

Page Number 24

Item 5 CS70/21 2021/22 Budget - September 2021 Quarter Review

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the September 2021 Quarter Review of the Operational Plan (Budget) for 2021/22 be received and noted.

Page Number 31

Item 6 CS74/21 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements - Presentation to the Public

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the 2020/21 General Purpose and Special Purpose Financial Statements and associated Auditor's Report, as presented to the public on 10 November 2021, be adopted.

Page Number 35

Item 7 CS85/21 Investments and Borrowings for 2021/2022 - Status for Period Ending 30 September 2021

RECOMMENDATION

That the contents of Director’s Report No. CS85/21 be received and noted.

Community and Environment Division

Nil

Planning and Compliance Division

Page Number 38

Item 8 PC17/21 Exhibition of the Peat Island Planning Proposal

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the submission regarding the Peat Island Planning Proposal attached to Director’s Report No. PC17/21 be forwarded to Central Coast Council to advocate for amendments to the Planning Proposal and further detailed analysis of issues including potential impacts on Brooklyn.

Page Number 58

Item 9 PC19/21 Reporting Variations to Development Standards

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the contents of Director’s Report No. PC19/21 be received and noted.

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Page Number 61

Item 10 IM11/21 NSW Road Classification Review and Regional Road Transfer

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council:

1. Support the preparation of a submission to the NSW Road Classification Review and Transfer Panel to reclassify the full length of Hastings Road, Castle Hill from a Local Road to Regional Road classification.

2. A copy of the submission be provided to councillors for information following its preparation.

Page Number 68

Item 11 IM4/20 Report on Submissions - Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council:

1. Endorse the proposed changes to the Walking and Cycling Strategy highlighted in yellow in the attachment to Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IM4/20.

2. Endorse the amended Walking and Cycling Strategy to assist with the securing of grants and the implementation of operational matters addressed in the Strategy.

3. Authorise consideration of the preparation and funding of an Active Transport Plan as part of the development of the 2022-26 Delivery Program to address the full gambit of walking and cycling activity along with the associated benefits and supporting infrastructure and promotion opportunities outlined in Deputy General Manager’s Report IM4/20.

4. Notify those who lodged a submission of Council’s decision.

PUBLIC FORUM – NON AGENDA ITEMS

Questions with Notice

Mayor's Notes

Notices of Motion

SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA

MATTERS OF URGENCY

General Manager's Report No. GM35/21

Office of the General Manager

Date of Meeting: 10/11/2021

1 HORNSBY SHIRE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21, AND END OF TERM REPORT 2021 ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HORNSBY SHIRE'S COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· An annual report is one of the key points of accountability between a council and its community. In this regard, NSW councils are required to prepare an annual report within five months of the end of the financial year, place the report on their website and submit the report to the Office of Local Government (OLG).

· The OLG also requires that, in the year in which an ordinary election is held, a council should prepare an End of Term Report outlining progress in achieving the objectives of its Community Strategic Plan (CSP) during its term in office, that this report must be presented at the final meeting of an outgoing council and be included in its Annual Report for that year.

· The Hornsby Shire Council Annual Report 2020/21 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 and Regulation and OLG requirements. The Annual Report focuses on Council’s achievements in implementing its Delivery Program and Operational Plan and also includes information which ensures that annual reporting requirements imposed on Council by other legislation or statutory bodies are met. Council’s 2020/21 audited Financial Statements are to form part of the Annual Report once they are “presented to the public” at this 10 November 2021 General Meeting.

· The End of Term Report 2021 reflects back over the last four years, providing a snapshot of outcomes on each of the 20 ‘Focus Areas’ across the four themes of Liveable, Sustainable, Productive and Collaborative in Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Your Vision | Your Future 2028, which was endorsed in June 2018. It also includes initiatives achieved by other levels of government. The End of Term Report is a separate document and will form an attachment to the Annual Report.

· Community Indicator baselines measured in 2017 to inform the CSP were measured again in 2020. Progress against these Community Indicators is represented visually in the End of Term Report. Improvements can be seen across a wide range of areas, including residents feeling able to afford a reasonable standard of housing in the area, there is a good range of leisure and recreation opportunities available, youth services and facilities are adequate, number of households with solar panels, parking facilities in public areas, and the number of page views on Discover Hornsby, Council’s tourism website. Areas that have seen a decline include resident’s feelings on the adequacy of aged care and disability services and facilities, the number of threatened plant and animal species, gross pollutants removed from waterways, waste diverted from landfill, and the number of residents attending sustainability and climate change adaptation workshops.

· The End of Term Report will be an important foundational tool in the review of the Community Strategic Plan 2018 – 2028 with the incoming Council.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT:

1. The Hornsby Shire Council Annual Report 2020/21 attached to General Manager’s Report No. GM35/21 be received and noted.

2. The document titled “End of Term Report 2021” attached to General Manager’s Report No. GM35/21 be received and noted and form part of the Annual Report.

3. The Annual Report be supplemented by Council’s 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements once they are “presented to the public” at the 10 November 2021 General Meeting.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Report is to present the 2020/21 Annual Report for notation, and to present the End of Term Report 2021 outlining Council’s progress on achieving the social, environmental, economic and civic leadership objectives in the Community Strategic Plan during its term of office.

BACKGROUND

Section 428 (1) of the Local Government Act 1993 requires that a council prepare an annual report within five months of the end of the financial year. The council is required to place the report on its website and submit a copy to the OLG. The annual report in the year in which an ordinary election of councillors is to be held must also report as to the council’s achievements in implementing the community strategic plan over the previous 4 years, an End of Term Report. Due to the Council election scheduled for 4 December 2021, and the provisions outlined in the Pre-election Guide attached to OLG Circular 21-30 / 5 October 2021 relating to the regulated period and the possibility of Council publications being considered ‘electoral matter’, both the Annual Report 2020/21 and the End of Term Report 2021 will not be placed on Council’s website until after the 4 December election.

The Hornsby Shire Council Annual Report 2020/21 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993, the Local Government (General) Regulation and the OLG’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines (March 2013). A report on Council’s achievements in implementing its Delivery Program 2020-2022 and Operational Plan 2020/21 and the effectiveness of the services undertaken is included as required by the Act, and a report as to the State of the Environment (to be included in the year in which an ordinary election is held) is also included.

Significant achievements during 2020/21 include the adoption of key strategies and plans:

· Sustainable Hornsby 2040 - Adopted in September 2020, Sustainable Hornsby 2040 is Hornsby Shire Council’s new overarching environmental sustainability strategy. It brings together Council’s Waste Matters Strategy, Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Urban Forest Strategy, Water Sensitive Hornsby Strategy, and the Climate Wise Hornsby Plan.

· Car Parking Management Study – Adopted in September 2020, the Hornsby Shire Car Parking Management Study is a technical document which provides overall car parking policy direction and recommendations for Council over a 10-year horizon.

· Hornsby Local Housing Strategy 2020 – Adopted in November 2020, recognising a need for housing choice and diversity reinforces the priorities of promoting design excellence, protecting the landscape character of our low-density neighbourhoods and conserving and promoting our natural, built and cultural heritage.

· Employment Land Study – Adopted in May 2021, the Study identifies the key economic and employment issues affecting Hornsby Shire, provides a review of the business and industrial zoned land within the Shire and includes recommendations for planning controls and directions for strategic land use that support sustainable employment growth.

· Hornsby Shire Economic Development and Tourism Strategy – Adopted in May 2021, a high-level plan of action to enhance the vibrancy, diversity and sustainability of the Hornsby Shire region to support Council in its role as a promoter of economic development.

· Play Plan – Adopted in May 2021, and with Hornsby Shire’s population expected to grow by 15 per cent to around 170,000 in 2028, it is estimated an additional 17 new or improved play spaces will be needed to provide for future community needs. The new Plan will guide Council through the planning and design for these spaces.

· Off-Leash Dog Park Strategy – Adopted in June 2021, the Strategy sets out proposals for managing Council’s off-leash dog parks now and into the future.

· Community and Cultural Facilities Strategic Plan – Adopted in July 2021, the Plan will provide direction for the future planning, provision and management of our community and cultural facilities over the next 10 years.

· Community Engagement Policy and Plan – Adopted in July 2021 and outlining the processes by which engagement is planned and implemented, Council will ensure that public participation is embedded within core business, and stakeholders are encouraged to discuss, decide and debate matters to create better outcomes for the community.

The Annual Report also includes information to meet requirements imposed by other legislation and statutory bodies, including information on the implementation of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014, information on compliance with the Carers Recognition Act 2010, and information on inspections of private swimming pools under the Swimming Pools Act 1992. Other mandatory reporting requirements are included at the back of the document notated with the relevant legislation.

The End of Term Report 2021 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of s428 (2) of the Local Government Act 1993. The Office of Local Government’s (OLG) Integrated Planning and Reporting Manual 2013 requires that a council should prepare a report outlining progress in achieving the objectives of its Community Strategic Plan during its term in office and that this report must be presented at the final meeting of an outgoing council.

Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Your Vision | Your Future 2028, was endorsed in June 2018. It comprises four Themes: Liveable, Sustainable, Productive, Collaborative, and each Theme outlines:

· Community outcomes – the kind of place the community wants Hornsby Shire to be.

· A strategic goal – a statement of Council’s response to the community’s desired outcomes.

· A Headline indicator – to measure progress on the strategic goal.

· Focus areas.

· Community Indicators – to measure progress towards achieving the community outcomes and strategic goal.

Council first published a baseline snapshot document describing the state of play in Hornsby Shire in 2010. The document was updated in 2012 and 2016 and presented as End of Term Reports for those Council terms. The End of Term Report 2021 (attached) reflects back over the last four years, providing a snapshot of outcomes on each of the 20 ‘Focus Areas’ across the four themes of Liveable, Sustainable, Productive and Collaborative in Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Your Vision | Your Future 2028 which was endorsed in June 2018.

Research conducted in 2017 when developing Your Vision | Your Future 2028, and again in 2020, indicates that members of the community choose to live in Hornsby Shire because of housing affordability, available services and facilities, proximity to the city, the natural environment - particularly the bushland, national parks, trees and green spaces - choices of public transport, and being close to work/employment opportunities.

Hornsby Shire Council is a major contributor to wellbeing in the Shire and is also the largest employer in the Shire. Its role is to:

· Provide community leadership, having regard to the long term and cumulative effects of its decisions.

· Be the custodian and trustee over public assets.

· Manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the Shire.

· Facilitate the development, improvement and coordination of its local communities.

While Council delivers many of the services that impact on residents’ quality of living, Council is not the only influencer of a person’s sense of quality of life, and the End of Term Report 2021 addresses social, recreational, leisure, cultural, environmental, economic, transport, safety and civic leadership objectives over the past four years. It includes trend data, so the reader can track progress over a broad range of issues.

The Report outlines how Council and the community have worked together to deliver change in the 20 ‘Focus Areas’ in the Community Strategic Plan, including projects overseen by other levels of government or organisations. Information is also provided on major projects which were completed or substantially commenced in the term of Council and identifies how these projects are addressing community outcomes identified in the Community Strategic Plan.

Major projects included in the Report:

· Waitara Park precinct – Orara Park and Waitara Park playgrounds.

· Storey Park, Asquith redevelopment.

· Greening our Shire.

· NorthConnex fill to Hornsby Quarry.

· Hornsby Park.

· Westleigh Park.

· Public Domain.

· Hornsby Town Centre review.

Projects that have delivered change under the Focus Areas included in the Report are:

Liveable

· Celebrating diversity and working together

o 2019 - Acknowledgement of the Statement from the Heart.

o 2021 - Council adopted a new Acknowledgement of Country.

o Community-led events.

o Chinese Language online public access catalogue developed by the Library service.

o Virtual information sessions held for the Chinese and Korean communities in partnership with other agencies offering support and advice on services available.

o ‘Connected Communities’, a series of Harmony Day and Neighbour Day events.

o Google Translate functionality added to Council’s website and microsites.

· Identifying, protecting, creating and providing access to places and spaces for people

o Adoption of Play Plan in 2021.

o Adoption of Off Leash Dog Park Strategy in 2021.

o Adoption of updated Community and Cultural Facilities Strategic Plan in 2021.

o New Storey Park facility constructed.

o New Waitara Park / Orara Park precinct.

o Triple H Community Radio and Hornsby Arts Society leased space at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre.

o Renovation and short-term expansion of Hornsby Library.

o Council investment of almost $111 million in capital project upgrades over the four-year term.

· Giving people housing choices

o Adoption of Hornsby Local Housing Strategy 2020.

o Review of Hornsby Town Centre.

o Approving Development Applications with a construction value of $4.5 billion.

· Community wellbeing and neighbourhood amenity

o Public domain improvements.

o New entry and suburb signage for the Shire.

o Murals completed in Dural Lane, Hornsby Westside; at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre; and on internal walls of the new Storey Park facility.

o Wheel-locking devices installed on trolleys restricting movement from Westfield Hornsby.

· Advocating with the NSW Government for the infrastructure needs of the local area

o Funding assistance from the NSW Government for projects such as Cheltenham Oval’s new community building, car parking and netball courts; Greenway Park, Cherrybrook upgrade and reconstruction of oval and a new clubhouse; Waitara Park playground; Greening our Shire; restoration of Beecroft War Memorial; a contribution towards the renovation of Hornsby Library.

o Upgrade of Hornsby Hospital.

o Accessibility upgrades at Hawkesbury River Station and Beecroft Station, and planned upgrades at Normanhurst, Thornleigh and Waitara Stations.

o Electric buses operating around Hornsby.

Sustainable

· Using resources wisely

o New Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre.

o Single-use Plastics Policy.

o Transformation of Hornsby Quarry reusing NorthConnex waste product.

· Adapting to a changing environment

o Hornsby Shire’s Disaster Resilience and participation in Resilient Sydney.

o Reducing the Shire’s carbon footprint by installing LED street lighting and solar panels at Council facilities; sustainable procurement; developing policies allowing installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging on public land; participating in the Cities Power Partnership.

o Collaboration with Water Sensitive Cities Cooperative Research Centre.

o Nursery Express project – providing vegetable seedlings to homes and aged care centres.

o Adoption of the Sustainable Hornsby 2040 Strategy and supporting technical studies.

· Living with bushfire risk

o New Fire Stations for the RFS Support Brigade and Berowra Brigade.

o Community education for residents in bush fire prone areas.

o Update of Bushfire Prone Land mapping using improved vegetation mapping across the Shire.

o Preparation of Bush Fire Risk Management Strategy.

· Advocating with the NSW Government for the infrastructure needs of the local area

o Partnership with six councils along the Hawkesbury Nepean River to develop a Coastal Management Program.

Productive

· A stronger economy

o Events during Small Business Month.

o Partnering with Service NSW to launch the Easy to do Business Program.

o Launching the Hornsby Localised platform.

o Adoption of the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2021.

o Endorsing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Hornsby Chamber of Commerce to collaborate with business.

· Infrastructure supporting new developments

o Working with State agencies to develop a master plan for Hornsby Town Centre.

o Adoption of the Employment Land Study 2021.

· A well-connected Shire

o Car Share Scheme trial.

o Preparation of Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy.

o Adoption of Car Parking Management Study in 2020.

o Acquisition of property to accommodate bus movements as part of vision for Hornsby Town Centre.

· Advocating with the NSW Government for the infrastructure needs of the local area

o NorthConnex tunnel.

o Metro North West.

o Advocating to improve active transport and on-demand bus services around the Cherrybrook Metro Station precinct.

o Negotiating with NSW Government for compensation for financial difficulties caused by boundary change in 2016.

o Gaining funding assistance from the NSW Government for shared paths at Brooklyn; around Cherrybrook Metro Station; linking Hornsby CBD with Galston Road, Hornsby; linking Hornsby CBD with Hornsby Hospital; and between Pennant Hills and Epping.

Collaborative

· Being accountable to the community

o Quarterly budget reviews; six-monthly reports on progress of the Delivery Program; plans and proposals available for public feedback.

o Forming an Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee and involving the community in other committees of interest, e.g. Bushland Management Advisory Committee (BMAC), Catchments Remediation Rate (CRR) Expenditure Review Committee, Hornsby Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (HATSICC), Hornsby Shire Heritage Advisory Committee, Lower Hawkesbury Estuary Management Committee, Waste Strategy Working Group.

o Scores on Doors – Food Safety Certificate Program which awards star ratings.

o Swimming pools registered under NSW Government’s Swimming Pool Register.

· Finding innovative and effective ways to consult with the community

o Community Forums held in each Ward.

o Online monthly Q & A sessions.

o Local Strategic Planning Statement engagements: including an evening with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki; community cruise on Hawkesbury River; Future Youth Forum.

o New initiatives to adapt to COVID-19: online lounge room concert series ‘Friday Night Vibes’; free ‘vegie’ seedlings and plant deliveries via Nursery Express; new Facebook page for Hornsby Shire libraries to bring many cancelled face-to-face events online.

o Hornsby-Localised platform for local businesses.

o Completion and implementation of Communications and Engagement Strategy including four associated policies.

· Sharing information quickly and clearly

o New Hornsby Council website in 2018.

o Greening our Shire website.

o Future Hornsby website.

o Web microsites developed for specific events, e.g. Festival of the Arts, Hornsby Park.

o Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn with over 37,000 followers.

o eNewsletters sent monthly to over 30,000 subscribers.

o ‘Hawkesbury Watch’ developed for Council to provide information on current estuarine conditions.

· Providing a helpful and efficient service

o Many Council services moving online, e.g. park and community venue bookings; customer service requests.

o New online system for lodging Development Applications.

o Development of a Customer Experience (CX) Strategy.

· Delivering the values of Service. Trust. Respect. Innovation.

o High levels of community satisfaction in Council’s day to day activities, such as customer service, parks maintenance, aquatic centres, libraries and community services.

o Technology solutions provided for Council staff transitioning to work from home in response to COVID-19 lockdowns.

o Implementation of virtual meeting platform for Council and Committee meetings in response to COVID-19 lockdowns.

Community Indicator baselines measured in 2017 to inform the CSP were measured again in 2020. Statistically representative random phone surveys of 600 Hornsby Shire residents (aged 18+) were utilised in 2017 and 2020. Progress against these Community Indicators is represented visually in the Report. Improvements can be seen across a wide range of areas, including residents feeling able to afford a reasonable standard of housing in the area, there is a good range of leisure and recreation opportunities available, youth services and facilities are adequate, number of households with solar panels, there are adequate parking facilities in public areas, and the number of page views on Discover Hornsby, Council’s tourism website. Areas that have seen a decline include residents feeling aged care and disability services and facilities are adequate, an increase in the number of threatened plant and animal species, less tonnes of gross pollutants removed per annum from waterways, waste diverted from landfill, and the number of residents attending sustainability and climate change adaptation workshops. More commentary on the trend of these Indicators is contained within the Report.

Both the Annual Report 2020/21 and the End of Term Report 2021 are attached to this Report. Hard copies will be available to view at the Council Administration Centre and Shire libraries.

The Annual Report will formally be supplemented by Council’s audited financial statements once Council has considered Director’s Report No. CS74/21 – 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements – Presentation to the Public (at the 10 November 2021 General Meeting).

A copy of the final Annual Report for 2020/21, including the End of Term Report 2021 and the 2020/21 Financial Statements, will be provided to the OLG by 30 November 2021.

CONSULTATION

In the preparation of the End of Term Report there was consultation with 600 residents who were engaged in a random telephone survey in March 2020 to determine their satisfaction with the Community Indicators in Your Vision | Your Future 2028, Council’s Community Strategic Plan.

BUDGET

There are no budgetary implications associated with this Report.

POLICY

There are no policy implications associated with this Report.

CONCLUSION

Council’s consideration of the Annual Report 2020/21 including the End of Term Report 2021 will ensure that they are submitted to the OLG in line with statutory requirements.

The Annual Report 2020/21 outlines Council’s achievements and the effectiveness of the services undertaken over the past year.

The End of Term Report 2021 outlines how effective Council’s adopted Delivery Program, and partnerships with other agencies has been in making a difference to the community’s quality of life as envisioned in the Community Strategic Plan – Your Vision / Your Future.

The Council has played a critical leadership role, ensuring that strategic activities are focussed on achieving the community’s vision, whilst ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the organisation.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

The officer responsible for the preparation of this Report is Louise Gee, Manager Strategy and Place, who can be contacted on 9847 6531.

Steven Head

General Manager

Office of the General Manager

Attachments:

1.	Annual Report 2020/21
2.	End of Term Report 2021

File Reference: F2020/00006

Document Number: D08204134

Director's Report No. CS70/21

Corporate Support Division

Date of Meeting: 10/11/2021

5 2021/22 BUDGET - SEPTEMBER 2021 QUARTER REVIEW

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· Accountable organisations like Council review their budget and operational performance at least each quarter. In this regard, the September 2021 Quarter Review of the 2021/22 Operational Plan and Budget is attached.

· The 2021/22 Original Budget forecast a surplus at 30 June 2022 of $1.397 million. This September 2021 Review recommends budget changes of $693K that reduce the forecast 30 June 2022 Budget surplus to $704K.

· This Report also provides Council with an update about the latest status of major projects that are of significant dollar value or of community interest.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the September 2021 Quarter Review of the Operational Plan (Budget) for 2021/22 be received and noted.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Report is to present for Council’s consideration the September 2021 Quarter Review of the 2021/22 Operational Plan.

BACKGROUND

On 9 June 2021, Council adopted its Delivery Program 2021-22 which includes the Operational Plan for 2021/22. The Fees and Charges for 2021/22 were also adopted by Council on 9 June 2021. The Delivery Program and Operational Plan set out the manner in which Council intends to deliver services and measure performance.

In line with Office of Local Government requirements, a Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) must be submitted for Council’s consideration at the end of each quarter. The Statement must be based on key financial indicators and the estimate of income and expenditure set out in Council’s Operational Plan for the relevant year.

DISCUSSION

This Review includes the first quarter results for 2021/22, comparing actual expenditure, income and funding sources for the first quarter against the Budget. The Net Operating and Capital Result after internal funding movements showed a positive variance of $2.2 million or approximately 4% of the consolidated year to date budget. This positive variance is largely the result of timing differences associated with project related works that are expected to be expended by 30 June 2022.

The 2021/22 Original Budget forecast a surplus at 30 June 2022 of $1.397 million. This surplus represents approximately 1% of the full year budget and is intended to be set aside in a restricted asset account to enable the implementation of initiatives identified in future years of Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP). The surplus also provides capacity to respond to unforeseen cost increases that can occur throughout the year.

This Quarterly Review recommends net budget changes of $693K, which reduces the forecast 30 June 2022 Budget surplus to $704K. The significant budget changes summarised below include those identified by staff for cost increases that have occurred since the 2021/22 Annual Budget was adopted, some of which are partially offset by the reallocation of grant funds, maintenance budgets and restricted asset funds.

Wisemans Ferry Boat Ramp, Pontoon and Carpark Project

· $3.750M – Increased capital contractor expenses partially offset by:

· ($2.045M) – Reallocation of Federal LRCI grant funds from the remediation of Council’s Administration Centre.

· ($1.298M) – Internal Restricted Assets:

o ($383K) – Infrastructure Capital Projects.

o ($410K) Asset Management Plan Restricted Asset.

o ($505K) – Reimbursement of expenditure incurred during the February 2020 Storm from NSW Public Works Advisory. While it was intended that this reimbursement would restore general funds that were used to fund clean-up efforts back in 2020, it has been necessary to be allocated towards funding the Wisemans Ferry Project budget shortfall.

Galston Aquatic Centre Refurbishment

· $1.529M – Increased capital contractor expenses partially offset by:

· ($860K) – 21/22 Operating maintenance budgets for Council’s Administration Centre and Galston Aquatic Centre.

· ($450K) – Asset Management Plan Restricted Asset.

Other Budget Changes

· $50K – Increased building inspection costs towards commercial buildings.

· $40K – Increased expenses for employee engagement software.

· ($40K) – Decrease employee development initiatives to fund software.

· $17K – Increased expenditure other.

It is noted that the budget changes made in respect to the Wisemans Ferry and Galston Aquatic Centre projects required the use of internally restricted assets, deferment of maintenance, reallocation of grants funds and the partial use of the Original 2021/22 Budget surplus to fund increased capital costs. The projected budget surplus is now below the operating capacity level generally provided on an annual basis to respond to budget shocks such as natural disasters, asset failures, statutory increases above CPI and/or unplanned cost increases. As a priority, the General Manager has requested that where savings can be identified at subsequent quarterly reviews, they will be applied to reinstating the Original Budget surplus and/or Asset Management Plan Restricted Assets that were depleted.

MAJOR PROJECTS

Updates in respect to the progress of projects of significant dollar value or of community interest are noted below.

As noted in Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IM2/21 – Master Plan for Hornsby and Westleigh Parks (considered at the 14 April 2021 General Meeting), the financial capacity of Council to manage the operational, maintenance and renewal costs of facilities established for Hornsby Park and Westleigh Park based on the full scope of works identified in the draft master plans, would not be feasible based on Council’s current financial capacity. Financial analysis by Council has indicated that an annual expenditure budget of $1,400,000 could be allocated towards future recurrent maintenance based on existing financial capacity.

Because of these financial constraints either a focus on developing Hornsby Park with minimal development at Westleigh Park or focus on Westleigh Park with minimal development at Hornsby Park will be required.

· Hornsby Park – From Quarry to Park – this project involves the redevelopment of the abandoned Hornsby Quarry and adjacent Old Mans Valley on the western side of Hornsby into open space for recreation purposes. The tender awarded to Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd for the bulk earth works and site rehabilitation has commenced. Master planning for the final park embellishments has been completed with a master plan adopted following community engagement at the July 2021 Council meeting. Design of the park embellishments in accordance with the adopted master plan has commenced. The total life to date expenditure on the project to 30 September 2021 is $7.102 million. Year to date expenditure at 30 September 2021 is $682K compared to a year to date budget of $4.5 million. The variance is due to the delay in the contractor being able to commence on site for the bulk earthworks.

Currently $50 million of funding is available from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund provided in June 2018. Further funding is available from development contributions subject to the priority allocated to projects in accordance with development contributions on hand.

· Westleigh Park Development – A final draft conceptual master plan for the Westleigh Park site has been completed based on the site having an active sport focus. Community engagement was undertaken on the conceptual master plan from April to June 2021. Council resolved at its July Council meeting to undertake further engagement on a range of matters prior to further considering the draft conceptual master plan. The total life to date expenditure to 30 September 2021 on this project (excluding the acquisition costs of $21 million funded by development contributions) is $1.575 million. Financial year to date expenditure at 30 September 2021 is $105K compared to a year to date budget of $750K. The variance is due to the impact associated with deferral of the adoption of the Master Plan, which has required a reconsideration of the approval process.

Currently $40 million of funding is available, provided in June 2018 from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund. Further funding is available from development contributions subject to the priority allocated to projects in accordance with development contributions on hand.

· Public Domain - Concept design options for Asquith to Mount Colah and Galston Road main street projects were prepared and presented to Council with preferred concept options adopted. The aim of the projects is to improve streetscape amenity through the planting of advanced trees, landscaped garden beds, footpaths, shared paths, seating and signage.

The cost estimate for the Asquith to Mount Colah project from Hookhams Corner to Wattle Street is approximately $9.3 million with funding being sourced from developer contributions. The balance of the Asquith to Mount Colah project is being undertaken by Talis Civil Pty Ltd. Works are well advanced with shared path construction, central landscaped median and pavement works underway. It is proposed to commence Stage 2 of the Asquith to Mount Colah Public Domain project. Design works are to commence which would provide an opportunity to provide some basic improvements (footpath and tree planting on the eastern side of the Pacific Highway and the construction of pedestrian refuge(s) at selected locations).

The total life to date expenditure to 30 September 2021 on this project is $1.968 million out of a budget of $9.3 million, funded from development contributions. Year to date expenditure at 30 September 2021 is $522K compared to a budget of $563K.

· Galston Aquatic Centre Refurbishment - A tender for the refurbishment of the Galston Aquatic Centre was advertised in June 2021 and works are expected to start in November 2021.

Tendered costs for the refurbishment of this facility have increased due to the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures, cost increases and associated supply chain issues. Progressing with the original scope of work requires an additional allocation to increase the current budget from $5.6 million to about $7 million.

An informal briefing in October 2021 was provided to Councillors on this project in respect to budget increases following the tender results. This included a range of options from project deferral, staging of works and funding the original scope of work and the associated impact on Council’s budget. Councillors supported the original scope planned for this project with funding sources identified.

It is noted that Council Officers are seeking grant funding for this project and should this application be successful a revision of the existing funding sources will be undertaken and reported back to the next available quarterly review.

· 25,000 Trees by 2020 – Council committed to planting 25,000 new trees by September 2020 to invest in the environment for future generations. Once achieved, a target of 30,000 trees was set as the final goal for September 2021. This program has been ambitious especially in responding to drought, bushfire, storms and COVID conditions during the project’s term. The expenditure incurred to 30 September 2021 is $2.352 million out of a budget of $2.5 million, largely funded from development contributions.

· Hornsby Library - The Library refurbishment works are being undertaken by Built Pty Limited. Works commenced in February 2021 and whilst construction is nearing completion, delays have resulted from COVID-19 construction industry restrictions. Practical completion for the building works is due at the end of October. Delivery of new furniture items is also underway, with final deliveries due in early November. The life to date expenditure incurred to 30 September 2021 is $3.858 million out of a budget of $5.2 million funded from development contributions, external grants and savings within Council’s Community and Environment Division. The budget was increased from $4.7 million to $5.2 million from savings within Council’s Community and Environment Division to cover additional expenditure identified during construction. The refurbishment of the Library is nearing completion and an occupation certificate is expected to be issued in November 2021.

· Wisemans Ferry – Construction is being managed by Council and includes a new three-lane boat ramp and 150 spaces for trailer and vehicle parking, as well as intersection upgrades and other ancillary works. The expenditure incurred to 30 September 2021 is $4.415 million compared to an original budget of $3.85 million, largely funded from a contribution from The Hills Shire Council and an external grant from the NSW State Government.

The project has been impacted by the recent flooding of the Hawkesbury River and the inclusion of asbestos in the sediment deposited on the floodplain. Continuing the project has required an additional funding allocation of $3.75 million, which has been sought from NSW Public Works Advisory and other government agencies to cover the cost of entombing the asbestos into excavated contaminant cells and other works associated with the flooding. This review includes budget changes to increase the budget by $3.75 million from $3.85 million to $7.6 million should Council’s application to NSW Public Works Advisory be unsuccessful.

The entombment of the asbestos has been completed and works are proceeding with construction of the contracted works associated with the boat ramp facility. The facility is now scheduled to be completed in Mar 2022. Works associated with paid parking at the site are expected to be tendered shortly and are separately funded. The actual costs of the works associated with the paid parking scheme will be known in December 2021.

Asbestos Treatment – Council Administration Building

Works have commenced to remediate Council’s Administration Building in accordance with the resolution from Confidential Deputy General Manager’s Report IM8/20. The work is divided into two stages:

Stage One:

· Removal of all asbestos from Ground Floor North and First Floor North.

· Removal of Synthetic Mineral Fibre ceiling panels (and suitable replacement) from 2^nd Floor North and 3^rd Floor North. This has been included as a precautionary measure and will incur a minimal cost of about $30,000.

Stage Two:

· Solutions to enable re-occupation of the Administration Building or consider other more viable options are currently being assessed and will be reported at the appropriate time in a quarterly review.

Removal of the asbestos from Ground Floor North and First Floor North has been completed and the total expenditure to 30 September 2021 is $1.533 million funded from an external grant.

Reimbursement for Storm Expenditure

Severe storms in the Hornsby Shire during 2018 resulted in extensive clean-up costs being incurred by Council. The storms were declared a natural disaster by the NSW Government and Council received formal confirmation for reimbursement of $460K from the Office of Emergency Management in June 2019 (which is to be finally transferred to Council on 4 November 2020). At this stage, no decision has been made by the Government authorities in respect of a further claim for $400K that has been submitted by Council related to the same storm events. Staff continue to pursue reimbursement of this expenditure however it appears unlikely that this amount will be received.

Council incurred further costs during another series of severe storms in February 2020. As these storms were also declared a natural disaster by the NSW Government, Council submitted a claim for $708K to recoup costs incurred during the clean-up after the storms. Advice from NSW Public Works Advisory was received in September 2021 that Council should expect to receive a payment for 75% of the amount claimed in the coming weeks, with payment of the final 25% contingent upon the completion of a detailed assessment of Council’s claim.

BUDGET

This Report provides the September 2021 Quarter Review of the 2021/22 Operational Plan (Budget), which, if adopted, will achieve a forecast surplus at 30 June 2021 of $704K. The predicted Budget result at 30 June 2022 is satisfactory in maintaining financial benchmark indicators in respect to liquidity. However, it is noted that the annual budget surplus is below annual levels previously determined to enable an adequate response to budget shocks that may occur. Each subsequent review will be assessed for opportunities to restore the original budget surplus.

POLICY

There are no policy implications associated with this Report.

CONCLUSION

Council’s consideration of this Report ensures that relevant statutory requirements have been met. The September 2021 Quarter Review demonstrates that after funding significant budget adjustments towards the Wisemans Ferry and Galston Aquatic Centre projects, Council remains in a stable position to deliver local services and facilities in a financially responsible manner.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

The officer responsible for the preparation of this Report is the Chief Financial Officer – Duncan Chell – who can be contacted on 9847 6822.

Duncan Chell

Chief Financial Officer

Corporate Support Division

Glen Magus

Director - Corporate Support

Corporate Support Division

Attachments:

30 September 2021 Quarterly Budget Review Statement

File Reference: F2020/00348

Document Number: D08239166

Director's Report No. PC17/21

Planning and Compliance Division

Date of Meeting: 10/11/2021

8 EXHIBITION OF THE PEAT ISLAND PLANNING PROPOSAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· Central Coast Council is currently exhibiting a Planning Proposal which seeks to amend the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 to allow a mix of residential, community, tourism and employment generating land uses on surplus Government owned land at Peat Island and Mooney Mooney.

· The Planning Proposal was originally submitted to the former Gosford Council in 2014 and has been amended on several occasions to address State government requirements, technical study recommendations and agency feedback.

· Officers from Central Coast Council invited comment from Hornsby Council officers as part of pre-public exhibition agency consultation. This consultation occurred in 2017 following issue of the Gateway Determination; in 2019 following submission of an Addendum Report by the proponent; and in February 2021 following submission of an additional Addendum Report outlining further amendments to the Planning Proposal.

· Central Coast Council is now publicly exhibiting the Peat Island Planning Proposal until 20 December 2021.

· This report presents an overview of the proposal and outlines the key issues of concern for Hornsby Shire including capacity of commuter car parking and community facilities in Brooklyn, economic impacts on Brooklyn, open space provision, bushfire risk and environmental impacts on Hawkesbury River and surrounding terrestrial and estuarine biodiversity.

· It is recommended that Council endorse the submission attached to Director’s Report No. PC17/21 for forwarding to Central Coast Council, to advocate for amendments to the Planning Proposal and more detailed analysis of issues including the potential impacts on Brooklyn.

RECOMMENDATION

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Report is to present an overview of the Peat Island Planning Proposal, outline the key issues and implications for Hornsby Shire and seek endorsement of a submission to Central Coast Council in response to the public exhibition.

BACKGROUND

A Planning Proposal which seeks to amend the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 (GLEP 2014) to facilitate redevelopment of surplus Government owned land located at Peat Island and Mooney Mooney was submitted to the former Gosford Council in August 2014. The original (now superseded) proposal, prepared by Property & Development NSW included residential zoning to allow 450 dwellings, buildings up to five storeys in height and included residential zoning on Peat Island.

At its meeting on 9 December 2014, the former Gosford Council resolved to progress the Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) for a Gateway Determination.

In September 2015, DPIE advised that additional information was required before the proposal could be considered for a Gateway Determination. The information requested included improved strategic justification for the proposal and consideration of alternative options, including additional recreation uses and reflection of site constraints.

In October 2016, a modified planning proposal was lodged with Central Coast Council to respond to the DPIE’s request. The modified proposal involved a reduction in the residential yield from 450 to 268 dwellings, reducing the scale of development to a maximum of three storeys, removal of the proposal for residential development on Peat Island and an increase in open space.

At its meeting on 22 March 2017, Central Coast Council resolved to progress the Planning Proposal to DPIE for a Gateway Determination.

A Gateway Determination was issued by DPIE on 10 August 2017, which included several conditions (including public agency consultant) to be addressed prior to exhibition of the Planning Proposal.

Officers from Central Coast Council invited comment from Hornsby Council officers as part of pre-public exhibition agency consultation. This consultation occurred in 2017 following issue of the Gateway Determination; in 2019 following submission of an Addendum Report by the proponent; and in February 2021 following submission of an additional Addendum Report outlining further amendments to the Planning Proposal. The further amendments include changes to the housing mix and dwelling types, as well as amendments to proposed retail uses and areas of open space.

In response, Council officers have made submissions in accordance with the Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement which includes an action: “PA7. Advocate to Central Coast Council for detailed analysis of the potential impacts of the Peat Island Planning Proposal on Brooklyn”.

The officer level submissions on the proposal to date have raised concerns relating to commuter berthing and parking, accessibility to Hawkesbury River and Berowra Railway stations, economic impact on commercial zoned land in Brooklyn, the intensity of the development and biodiversity impacts. Many of the issues raised by officers have not been addressed in the current proposal.

The Peat Island Planning Proposal is now on public exhibition from 20 September 2021 until 20 December 2021.

DISCUSSION

This report presents an overview of the Peat Island Planning Proposal currently being exhibited by Central Coast Council and outlines the key issues and implications for Hornby Shire.

The Site

The subject site comprises Government-owned land east and west of the M1 Motorway at Mooney Mooney and the entirety of Peat Island. The site is located within the Central Coast Local Government Area (LGA) approximately 29 kilometres south west of Gosford City Centre and 24 kilometres north of Hornsby.

Public transport options are currently limited to access from the Sydney-Newcastle rail line, provided by the Hawkesbury River Railway Station in Brooklyn (approximately 5.5km by road to the south-east of the site) and a Mooney Mooney-Hornsby via Brooklyn route on the 592-bus service.

The site is surrounded by significant environmental and scenic features including the Hawkesbury River to the east, south and west, Muogamarra Nature Reserve to the south, Popran National Park to the north, and Brisbane Water National Park to the north-west.

The majority of the site is zoned SP2 Infrastructure for institutional land uses, specifically hospitals and educational establishments, with much of the existing facilities no longer in use. In particular, the use of Peat Island as a psychiatric facility and other ancillary uses for Mooney Mooney were permanently closed in 2010.

The Proposal

The Planning Proposal was prepared by Urbis, on behalf of Property & Development NSW, for changes to the current zoning of the site to permit new land uses on the surplus government owned land. The Planning Proposal seeks an amendment to the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 to allow a mix of residential, community, tourism and employment generating land uses across 6 precincts within the Peat Island and Mooney Mooney area.

The proposal involves changes to LEP zoning and building height to facilitate future development which is reflected in the ‘Indicative Concept Plan’ prepared by Urbis which is attached to this Report. A site specific DCP has been submitted that provides planning controls to achieve the built form outlined in the Indicative Concept Plan.

Although this is the first time the Planning Proposal has been made public through an exhibition period, planning for the site has been ongoing since 2014. Various iterations have been lodged with Central Coast Council, NSW State Government and discussed with public agencies. Revisions to the proposal have been made to address DPIE requirements, the recommendations of technical studies and feedback from public agencies as part of the pre-public exhibition consultation.

The table below provides an overview of the current Planning Proposal on exhibition and the key differences with the former 2016 version of the Planning Proposal that received a Gateway Determination (but was not publicly exhibited).

Proposed Items	Original Gateway Planning Proposal (2016 Version)	Current Planning Proposal on exhibition (2021 Version)	Explanation of changes
Residential	268 New dwellings (including a mix of detached, attached and low-rise residential flat buildings)	267 new dwellings (including 51 low density dwelling houses, 54 townhouses, 164 apartments across a mix of 1-3 storey low rise residential flat buildings)	- Removal of 1 new dwelling but increase in estimated population growth from 536 in 2016 to 585 people in 2021, due to redesign of housing types.
Retail	2,008m²of retail space (including a neighbourhood centre containing a 1,000m²service centre directly accessible from the Pacific Motorway)	Minimum 170m²of retail space (Approximately 200m²gross floor area proposed for local stores, cafes and dining options)	- Removal of 1,000m²service centre and neighbourhood centre precinct + Addition of 200m²of local stores, cafes and dining options
Community Facilities	3,000m²of community facilities (including the retention and adaptive re-use of the historical Mooney Mooney Chapel and 4 non-listed historical buildings in the surrounding precinct)	3,882m²of community facilities (including the retention and adaptive re-use of the historical Mooney Mooney Chapel, 4 non-listed historical buildings and a new community centre located in the surrounding precinct)	+ Addition of 882m²of community facilities including a new community centre located in the Chapel Precinct
Environmental Conservation	11.3ha of land zoned for environmental conservation (including lands adjoining Cabbage Point, Popran National Park, bushland between the Pacific Motorway and Highway and the Hawkesbury River)	10.4ha of land zoned for environmental conservation (including lands adjoining Cabbage Point, Popran National Park, bushland between the Pacific Motorway and Highway and the Hawkesbury River)	- Removal of 0.9ha of land zoned for environmental conservation to provide additional public open space zoned land in the northern portion of the site
Open Space Provisions	10ha of land zoned for public and private open space (including a land and water-based marina development with 4 jetties and a 1,750m²dry stack boat storage)	9.65ha of land zoned for public and private open space (removal of land and water-based marina development and inclusion of additional RE1 public open space)	- Removal of 0.35ha of open space zoned land including the removal of water and land marina and additional provision of open space zoned land in the northern portion of the site
Tourism	3.72ha of tourism zoned land (including rezoning of Peat Island and causeway area to SP3 and the provision for 93 rooms of tourist accommodation on Peat Island)	5.05ha of tourism zoned land (including rezoning of Peat Island, causeway and area adjoining Pacific Motorway to SP3 and the provision for 85 rooms of tourist accommodation on Peat Island)	+ Addition of 1.33ha of tourism zoned land including additional land between causeway and Pacific Motorway - Removal of 8 rooms of tourist accommodation on Peat Island
Marina Development	Land and water-based marina is proposed (including 4 jetties and a 1,750m²dry stack boat storage)	Land and water-based marina no longer proposed (proposed rezoning of land identified as site of land-based marina retained)	- Removal of land and water-based marina (included associated facilities) from current planning proposal but rezoning of proposed site to RE2 to be retained
Heritage Provisions	4 non-listed heritage buildings identified for retention and adaptive re-use	9 non-listed heritage buildings on Peat Island and 4 non-listed heritage buildings in Mooney Mooney Chapel Precinct identified for retention and adaptive re-use. Proposed listing of Peat Island as a heritage item under Schedule 5 of the Gosford LEP	+ A total of 13 historical buildings to be retained and adaptive re-use provisions + Peat Island and causeway proposed to be listed as a heritage item in Gosford LEP 2014
Emergency Services	Provision for new emergency facilities, including Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue, located in separate areas	Potential new Rural Fire Service facility location identified – subject to separate planning proposal	Removal of all emergency facilities for RFS and Marine Rescue and subject to future planning proposal

The exhibition documents are available on Central Coast Council’s ‘Your Voice’ website (https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/pipp) and include the following:

· Planning Proposal Report

· Planning Proposal Executive Summary

· Council Correspondence

· Appendix A: Indicative Concept Plan

· Appendix B: Local Environment Plan Maps

· Appendix C: Site Specific Development Control Plan

· Appendix D: Urban Design Report

· Appendix E: Heritage Conservation Management Plan

· Appendix F: Utilities Infrastructure Report

· Appendix G: Water Cycle Management Review

· Appendix H: Traffic and Transport Review

· Appendix I: Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report

· Appendix J: Riparian Constraints Assessment

· Appendix K: Social Impact Assessment

· Appendix L: Detailed Site Investigation

· Appendix M: Strategic Bushfire Study

· Appendix N: Environmental Noise Assessment

· Appendix O: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment

· Appendix P: Heritage Impact Statement

· Appendix Q: Community Facilities Needs Analysis

· Appendix R: Economic Statement

· Appendix S: Visual Impacts Statement

· Appendix T: Consultation Summary – Post 2017

· Appendix U: Letter of Offer – Voluntary Planning Agreement

· Appendix V: Revised Site Survey

Summary of Issues

Several aspects of the Peat Island Planning Proposal are supported, including the potential to become a tourism attractor for the Hawkesbury River area, improvement to public access to the Hawkesbury River foreshore, public access to Peat Island and retention of historical buildings and interpretation of the history of the site. There have also been some positive improvements to the proposal since 2016, including the removal of residential development from Peat Island and a reduction in density and building height, retention of additional historical buildings and proposed heritage listing of Peat Island.

However, several issues raised in previous officer level comments (as part of pre-public exhibition consultation) have not been addressed in the current Planning Proposal. These and other issues which require further analysis are outlined below, with recommendations for inclusion of the matters in a submission to Central Coast Council.

1. Marina

The former 2016 version of the Planning Proposal included a land and water-based marina, comprising 4 jetties, a 1,750m²dry stack boat storage and user parking and berthing facilities. The current proposal on exhibition has removed the land and water-based marina development, including all associated facilities, and provides an indicative location for a land-based marina development to be considered under a separate planning proposal. The current Planning Proposal seeks to rezone the indicative location of the land-based marina to a RE2 Private Recreation zone and allow carparking.

Comment

The exclusion of the marina from the current Planning Proposal and the indication that it be progressed as part of a separate future planning proposal is not supported.

Currently, demand for commuter berthing and parking for all Hawkesbury River residents within the area are accommodated by facilities within Hornsby Shire, specifically at Brooklyn and Berowra Waters. Moreover, a recently adopted Car Parking Management Study for the Hornsby Shire outlines that boat mooring and car parking at Brooklyn is currently at capacity and recommends that Council ‘de-prioritise’ the provision of car parking in Brooklyn for Central Coast residents. This would indicate that it is essential that the provision for a marina as part of this Planning Proposal be included to appropriately address the current parking/berthing needs of Central Coast “river access only” residents, as well as any additional demand generated by the proposed development.

Consideration of the marina as part a separate future planning proposal would not allow a wholistic and integrated approach to the overall development in Peat Island and Mooney Mooney. Concerns are raised that the indicative location of the marina on the concept plan, the proposed carpark within the RE2 zone and the increase in population that would result from the Peat Island Planning Proposal, would be used to justify progression of a separate planning proposal for the marina at the expense of detailed consideration of the environmental impacts, or the evaluation of alternative locations within the area that could result in a better environmental outcome.

The marina is tied to commuter berthing and parking concerns, as well as traffic and environmental impacts and is an integral part of the proposal that needs to be considered upfront to determine the impacts and benefits for all river settlements. It should be considered as part of the current Peat Island Planning Proposal to ensure integrated consideration of transport movement options between the road, waterway and the railway and allow the complex estuarine impacts of this type of development to be appropriately addressed upfront.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern with the removal of the land and water-based marina and associated facilities from the proposal, particularly concerning capacity implications for car parking and mooring services in Brooklyn, Berowra Waters and Central Coast LGA residents and waterway users. It is also recommended that Council’s submission request that a marina proposal be progressed upfront as part of the current Peat Island Planning Proposal to ensure integrated consideration for the demand of road and water transport movement options and the complex estuarine impacts of this type of development to be appropriately addressed holistically.

2. Terrestrial and Estuarine Biodiversity Impacts

A Biodiversity Certificate Assessment Report (BCAR) prepared by EcoLogical Australia, dated 5 August 2021, was submitted in response to a request by Central Coast Council to enable the impact footprints and biodiversity offsets to be determined at the planning proposal stage rather than being deferred to development application stage. The BCAR outlines the measures taken to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts on vegetation and species habitat present within the biocertification area, as well as measures to minimise impacts during construction and operation of the site. Of note, the BCAR also considers the impacts of the indicative land-based marina concept and includes a precautionary impact area of 0.03ha, with a recommendation for a further detailed environmental assessment of the impacts to form part of a future planning proposal.

A Riparian Constraints Assessment prepared by EcoLogical Australia, dated 9 August 2021, was provided with the Planning Proposal following a request by the former Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) in November 2017 for additional information regarding “wetlands, water quality and quantity”. The Riparian Constraints Assessment outlines constraints of the site, including development within the foreshore area and proposed location of the land-based marina concept, and provides recommendations to minimise the impacts of the Planning Proposal on riparian zones and buffers adjacent to the Hawkesbury River.

Comment

The Planning Proposal identifies an area to be rezoned RE2 Private Recreation, which is the location proposed as the concept land-based marina site, in an area which presents the highest marine impact risk from an ecological perspective as it is likely to impact upon mangroves as well as the estuarine environment. The majority of the proposed RE2 area is currently tidal mud plains and therefore, concern is raised regarding ongoing requirements for maintenance dredging.

Concern is also raised with regards to ‘sediment contamination’ referred to in the Detailed Site Investigation prepared by JBS&G Australia Pty Ltd, dated 5 August 2021, which concludes that “the site can be readily made suitable for the proposed land use, subject to removal and validation of underground storage tanks (USTs) and remediation and/or management of the surficial asbestos containing materials (ACM), buried asbestos and heavy metals identified above the ecological criteria”.

Council undertook sediment sampling in 2013, which identified that elevated levels of Copper and Mercury were identified approximately 1km downstream from Peat Island, (within ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines). Further, the presence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) were identified adjacent to Peat Island above the ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guideline levels. These results highlight the potential constraints in spoil management and disposal which are associated with the proposed development.

It is also noted that both Riparian Constraints Assessment and Detailed Site Investigation briefly identify that Acid Sulphate Soils and Potential Acid Sulphate Soils are likely to be present at and adjoining the site. Further, the Riparian Constraints Assessment states that “an acid sulphate soil management plan would need to be prepared for those developments located within at-risk areas to ensure that any impacts of exposing acid sulphate soils on the nearby aquatic fauna are mitigated”. It is recommended that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared at Planning Proposal stage to properly determine the full impacts of any exposed acid sulphate soils associated with the proposed development on estuarine and aquatic ecology.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concerns with proposed location of the land-based marina concept and the impact that it may have on the estuarine environment from construction and ongoing management of the adjoining area, including the risks of sediment contamination management and disposal. Council’s submission should also request that an appropriately detailed Environment Impact Statement be prepared at Planning Proposal stage to address existing and potential acid sulphate soils within and adjoining the site.

3. Transport Analysis - Train and Bus Service

The Traffic and Transport Review prepared by Mott MacDonald, dated 9 August 2021, analyses the existing train and bus services operating in surrounding areas to the site.

The Review notes that the site catchment is served by one bus service route (592) operated by Transdev. The route 592 service travels along the Pacific Highway and serves Cheero Point, Mooney Mooney, Brooklyn, Cowan, Berowra and Hornsby South. Although the 592 service offers an infrequent weekday and Saturday service and uptake is generally low within the area, the Review suggests that the access provided by this service allows for direct access from these townships to other public transport and regional rail connections, particularly Hawkesbury River Station, Brooklyn Wharf and Brooklyn Ferry Service.

With regards to existing train services, the Review identifies the closest railway station as Hawkesbury River Station, Brooklyn, which is located approximately 5.5km by road to the south-east of the proposal site. The Review further identifies that the railway station acts as a ‘minor commuter station’ for the Newcastle/Central Coast line and has additional capacity. However, the Review comments that the station is not currently Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant with no provision for wheelchair access.

Comment

Concern is raised with the reliance of the Traffic and Transport Review on the use of outdated data to analyse existing train and bus services. Figure 3.8 on Page 17 of the Review uses RailCorp ‘Barrier Counts of Rail Passengers’ data to provide an understanding of the function and service capacity of the Hawkesbury River Station, which is outdated as it was collected in 2012 and commuter volumes may have changed over time. It is also noted that the reference to non-compliance with DDA standards at Hawkesbury River Station on page 18 of the Review is incorrect, as works to upgrade the station were completed in early 2021.

The Traffic Review does not appropriately consider the effect that any increase in bus service frequency may have on the Brooklyn Town Centre, or on the accessible areas around the Hawkesbury River Station. The following issues should be addressed prior to finalisation of any proposal:

· Bus circulation and the turning circle on Dangar Road outside of the Hawkesbury River Station.

· The integration of appropriate drop off and pick up point as well as bus waiting zones at Hawkesbury River Station for shuttle services.

· The integration of the bus and train timetables and more frequent trains to avoid prolonged waiting periods.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission note that the information used by Mott MacDonald in the 2021 Traffic and Transport Review is outdated and should not be relied upon for accuracy and consistency when assessing the existing train services in the area. It is also recommended that Council’s submission request that issues with an increase in bus service frequency for Hawkesbury River Station, and the Brooklyn Town Centre more broadly, be addressed prior to finalisation.

4. Commuter Car Parking at Brooklyn

The Traffic and Transport Review notes that, based on daily patronage data at Hawkesbury River Station, the existing service offers spare capacity that could accommodate any future growth in surrounding areas, including demand generated by the proposal. Further, the Review notes that the proposal would increase patronage at both Berowra and Hornsby Railway Stations, resulting in an increase in commuter parking requirements at these additional locations.

The Review outlines that the residents of the new development would likely rely on private vehicles to travel to Hawkesbury River Station at Brooklyn. However, commuter parking provision, both on and off-street, within Brooklyn is limited. To overcome these parking issues at Hornsby Shire railway stations, the Traffic and Transport Review recommends that “this increase to commuter parking requirements would need to be addressed by Hornsby Shire Council/Central Coast Council and TfNSW. An allowance for these works could be included in a Section 7.11 Contribution”.

Comment

Community and commuter parking surrounding the Hawkesbury River Station, and within Brooklyn more generally, has been a significant ongoing issue for both the Brooklyn and Hawkesbury River communities. A Constraints Analysis Report prepared by McGregor Coxall for the 2016 Brooklyn Improvement Master Plan notes that all day parking provision within the Brooklyn Town Centre, and east of the railway station, is limited due to the demand from the river communities and recreation activity users.

Further, car parking studies undertaken by Hornsby Shire Council in 2019 indicate that the average and peak car occupancy rate (on and off-street) in areas around Brooklyn, east of the railway bridge, is 88% and 98% respectively. Car parking utilisation data collected during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown shows that these occupancy rates have been further compounded. In addition, Berowra Railway Station commuter parking is consistently over capacity, with overflow parking occurring on local roads in the vicinity. These findings indicate that there is insufficient capacity within the region to accommodate an increase in demand for commuter parking generated by the Peat Island Planning Proposal.

The proposal does not to provide assessment of the additional pressure residents or visitors to the development would have on the car parking within Brooklyn, Berowra and Hornsby Shire more broadly. Further, the suggestion for local Councils to provide additional commuter parking requirements through Section 7.11 Contributions at development application stage is inadequate. Certainty should be provided at the planning proposal stage concerning where additional parking will be provided with an associated funding strategy and implementation plan.

In the pre-exhibition consultation with agencies, Hornsby Council officers consistently raised this matter as a concern. These concerns have not been sufficiently addressed.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concerns with the ability of the Hawkesbury River Station and Berowra Station commuter parking facilities to accommodate an increase in demand generated by the proposal. It is also recommended that the submission object to the implication that the provision of additional railway commuter parking is the responsibility of local Councils, rather than State Government, and should not be addressed via Section 7.11 contributions at development application stage. Council’s submission should request that additional commuter parking at Hawkesbury River and Berowra Stations be constructed prior to any development proceeding.

5. Active Transport Infrastructure

The Traffic and Transport Review identifies that there are currently limited footpaths and bicycle facilities within the subject area, limiting opportunities for cycling beyond commuter or recreational uses. The Review also notes that Central Coast Council’s ‘Gosford Bike Strategy 2014’ includes a goal of “increasing the cycling mode share, which is consistent with the NSW State Plan and a commitment to improving road safety, facilities and cycling tourism”. However, the Bike Strategy and subsequent discussions with Central Coast Council confirm that no plans to improve cycle routes and other facilities in the Mooney Mooney area are currently planned.

Notwithstanding, the Review recommends several improvements to provide better pedestrian and cycling access, including a dedicated cycle lane along the Pacific Highway, formally connecting the Mooney Mooney area with Hawkesbury River Station in Brooklyn, and the provision for bicycle parking spaces at Hawkesbury River Station.

Comment

The inclusion of active transport options within the original and revised Planning Proposal is supported. However, any proposed active transport infrastructure should be appropriately integrated with proposed public transport updates, including previously identified bus service and railway improvements.

The recommendation to formalise a dedicated cycle lane from Mooney Mooney to Hawkesbury River Station is also supported. However, the cost of construction of the Hornsby Shire component should be contributed through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) as part of the Planning Proposal. The works would comprise linking Kangaroo Point to Hawkesbury River Station by completing the following:

· Upgrading of the single existing walkway on the western side of the Hawkesbury River Bridge to a compliant shared pedestrian/cycle deck on the bridge connecting the subject site.

· Construction of a bicycle compliant refuge island south of the pedestrian and cyclist access to Kangaroo Point.

· A 50 km/h speed zone on the Pacific Highway between Brooklyn Road and the Hawkesbury River Station to provide a safe road environment for pedestrian and cyclists.

It is recommended that Transport for NSW be consulted in planning for any active transport options.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission request that the proposal contribute to the cost of constructing a shared pedestrian cycleway in Hornsby Shire, which would link the subject site through Kangaroo Point to Brooklyn Town Centre and Hawkesbury River Station, by way of a VPA.

6. Traffic Analysis

The Traffic and Transport Review assesses the traffic and transport implications for the site exclusively, by providing strategies to improve road safety in the area. Recommendations to improve transport choices and access are within a limited scope for current and future Mooney Mooney and Peat island residents and visitors only.

Comment

The Review does not assess the implications of an increase in population and density on the Brooklyn township and Hornsby Shire more broadly. Due to the reliance of the Planning Proposal on the Brooklyn township, and the Hawkesbury River Station particularly, the analysis of traffic and transport should be expanded to consider the impacts on the intersection of Brooklyn Road and Pacific Highway, as well as the Brooklyn township.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission request that the traffic and transport analysis for the Planning Proposal consider the impacts on the intersection of Brooklyn Road and the Pacific Highway, as well as the Brooklyn township more broadly.

7. Economic Impact on Brooklyn

A Peat Island and Mooney Mooney Economic Statement prepared by Urbis, dated 6 October 2016, has been appended with a Cover Letter Update prepared by Urbis dated 9 August 2021. The Cover Letter Update outlines the quantum of commercial/retail and residential changes to Planning Proposal, including the removal of the marina, highway service centre and reduction in tourist and residential dwelling numbers. The Cover Letter concludes that removal of the service centre and marina will remove major attractors for the site, resulting in a reduction the demand for retail in the area, however the proposed commercial uses remain viable for the area.

Comment

The removal of the highway service centre and associated neighbourhood centre is supported, as it reduces the quantum of retail space by 83% and the potential for the service centre to compete with local businesses and services in Brooklyn, addressing concerns previously raised by Hornsby Shire Council officers.

However, the economic impacts to Brooklyn resulting from the amended proposal has not been specifically addressed in the Cover Letter Update or the original Economic Statement. The Economic Statement should be widened in scope to capture the impacts on retail and business services in Brooklyn, as well as Hornsby Shire more generally.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission outline support for the reduction in proposed retail space but request that the Economic Statement be widened in scope to analyse the implications of the Planning Proposal on retail and business services in the Brooklyn township and Hornsby Shire more generally.

8. Community Facilities and Services

The Community Facilities Needs Assessment prepared by Urbis, dated September 2016 has been appended with a Community Facilities Needs Analysis Update Addendum prepared by Urbis dated 9 August 2021. The Addendum identifies that the revised Concept Plan includes a 3,882m²site that will be used for community purposes, including adaptive reuse of the existing chapel and heritage curtilage and a new multipurpose community facility. Further, the Addendum reaffirms that existing education/childcare and health care facilities in Brooklyn and Hornsby Shire could accommodate any increase in demand generated by the Planning Proposal and would be used accordingly.

Comment

The proposed construction of a multipurpose community facility building is support, however concern is raised that the proposal defers the responsibility of education/childcare and healthcare facility provisions to Brooklyn and Hornsby Shire more broadly. Further, although an opportunity to include medical facilities within the proposed neighbourhood shops is noted in the Needs Assessment, the current proposal does not include exclusive provisions for the establishment of these facilities.

Brooklyn is a geographically constrained township that has limited space to provide educational and healthcare services for a sizable increase in population. As a result, the proposal would have significant implications on the current capacity of services available to the Brooklyn and Hornsby Shire communities. Clarification is needed to elaborate on how an increase in demand for Hornsby Shire’s community services or facilities will be appropriately addressed by the Proposal and what provisions may be provided to Hornsby Council to cater for ongoing use.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern with additional pressure that an increase in population at the subject site will have on resources and services located in Brooklyn and seek further clarification on what provision may be proposed to cater for this additional demand in Hornsby Shire. Council’s submission should request that greater consideration be given to providing additional community services within the Mooney Mooney and Peat Island area.

9. Dwelling Type and Yield

The Urban Design Report prepared by Urbis, dated 22 September 2021, recommends various residential building types throughout the identified site precincts, including low density residential housing, townhouse developments and residential flat buildings of 1-3 storeys in height. Further, Table 13 Summary Table of Development on page 52 indicates a development yield of 231 dwellings in the R1 General Residential zone, inclusive of 54 townhouses and 162 apartments, and 36 R2 Low Density Residential zoned lots, with a total yield of 267 dwellings for the subject site.

The areas proposed to be zoned R1 General Residential would have a combination of applicable maximum building heights, including 8.5m or 15m, and no Floor Space Ratio controls within this zone.

Comment

The R1 General Residential zone permits a range of residential accommodation forms, including “residential flat buildings” and “attached dwellings” (i.e. townhouses). It is acknowledged that the R1 zone has been proposed as any application of a R2 zone would limit housing choice to detached dwelling houses only. However, these types of housing and densities cannot be prescribed in particular locations when grouped together under an R1 zoning. Concern is raised that the estimated yields from the development could be significantly higher than indicated in the proposal and could further exacerbate traffic, utility and environment pressures within the subject and in the surrounding areas.

The proposal does not provide an affordable housing component as part of the Peat Island and Mooney Mooney precinct. Given that this is a State Government initiated proposal, it is anticipated that the proposal would include a component of affordable housing in line with other State Government priorities to provide a range of safe, affordable and well-designed housing options for communities.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern that the estimated yields from the development could be significantly higher than that indicated in the proposal and that further analysis be completed to quantify the yield and nominate areas that would be restricted to R2 Low Density zoning and R3 Medium Density, rather than a blanket R1 zoning. It is also recommended that Council’s submission suggest a component of affordable housing be included the Planning Proposal.

10. Provision of Open Space

The Planning Proposal includes 267 new dwellings and indicates that this would allow for an incoming population of 585 people. The 2016 Community Facilities Needs Assessment indicates that this would generate a requirement for 1.5Ha of open space, which would now be higher with the increase in population proposed. The 2021 Update Addendum notes that there is a large amount of public recreation space provided but also notes that “this does not include formal active open space such as sports fields or indoor sports courts. It is expected that the community members will access these facilities in the regional centres of Gosford and Hornsby”.

Comment

The Draft Greener Place Design Guide published by the Government Architects Office (Issue N0.04), dated 2020, states:

· In low density areas local parks should be provide within 400m walk of residents.

· Developed open space such as a local park/playground a minimum 1,950m² (based on the recommendation of a 5,000m2 local park for 1,500 residents) should be included.

· The quality of the open space provided needs to be considered and is as important as the amount.

The Planning Proposal includes approximately 9.65ha of open space, as well as proposed foreshore paths to facilitate recreation opportunities. Concern is raised that much of the open space proposed is undeveloped, natural areas which would not provide recreational opportunities for new residents and would not achieve the requirements of the Draft Greener Place Design Guide.

There is a 700m² playground at Peter D’Emden Reserve in Mooney Mooney provided by Central Coast Council which includes limited play equipment. The other local play spaces are Brooklyn Park and McKell Park, both located in Brooklyn, and provided by Hornsby Shire Council. None of these facilities are within the required 400m walk for local parks that should be provided to cater for the new population in line with the requirements of the Draft Greener Place Design Guide.

Concern is raised with the proposed reliance on open spaces and sports facilities in Brooklyn, Berowra and Hornsby Shire more broadly, along with the increase in demand generated by the Proposal for these types of facilities. The anticipated increase in demand for parks and sports ground facilities in Brooklyn and Berowra will place undue pressure on Hornsby Shire Council to fund and create greater capacity to cater for this additional demand. It is recommended that Council request that contributions be included in the proposal to address ongoing maintenance costs related to an increase of demand for Hornsby Shire sporting facilities and open space.

It is also recommended that the Planning Proposal should be amended to include a quality, functional local open space of a minimum 1,500m² with opportunities for informal recreation within 400m walk of the new dwellings. This open space should include play space facilities, general exercise equipment for a broad mix of users, and be provided in association the community facilities proposed for the central Chapel Residential Precinct.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern with the lack of quality, functional local open space proposed and the Proposal’s reliance on open space and sporting facilities provided by Hornsby Shire. Further, it is recommended that the Planning Proposal be amended to include contributions for ongoing maintenance of Hornsby Council facilities, as well as a suitable open space area that meets the requirements of the Draft Greener Place Design Guide.

11. Provision of Infrastructure

There are no costings provided for the various community and other infrastructure required to support the proposal. A Letter of Offer – Voluntary Planning Agreement prepared by Property & Development NSW is included in the exhibition material and states that Property & Development NSW will retain “all land and buildings and confirms a willingness to enter into a voluntary planning agreement (VPA) under Part 7 Infrastructure contributions and Finances, Subdivision 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) for the community facilities, local infrastructure, open space and conservation areas and a commitment to work co-operatively with Council to draft this agreement concurrently with exhibition of the Planning Proposal, which has been mutually agreed to be exhibited for 3 months”.

Comment

A breakdown of the funding mechanism and costs of proposed infrastructure and details of any VPA should be provided as part of the exhibition of the proposal. Hornsby Council should be part of discussions in the preparation of any VPA given the reliance on Hornsby Council to support infrastructure such as community facilities, commuter berthing and parking and active transport infrastructure. Demonstration of the economic viability of the project is essential to ensure that the identified public benefits associated with the rezoning will be delivered as part of the project.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission request that a breakdown of proposed funding mechanism and cost of the proposed infrastructure be provided, and that Hornsby Council be a party to any discussions regarding VPA funding.

12. Bushfire Prone Land

The Strategic Bushfire Study prepared by Peterson Bushfire, dated 4 August 2021, has been submitted to address the strategic planning requirements outlined within Planning for Bushfire Protection 2019 (PFB 2019) and used to inform the proposed land use and zoning throughout the subject site.

The Bushfire Study notes that risk profiling, based on bushfire landscape analysis, has determined that the majority of the site is mapped low risk, with medium and high-risk areas located towards the northern portion of the subject site, and these areas provide ample space and opportunities to shelter in place in the scenario that access in northern and southern directions is severed by bushfire.

The Study determined that the proposal is not incompatible with the surrounding environment and bushfire risk and will result in an improved situation for the existing Mooney Mooney community and adequate for the incoming population at the subject site in terms of access and emergency management infrastructure.

Comment

Although the Strategic Bushfire Study addresses the strategic planning requirements of PFB 2019, concerns remain regarding the suitability of the subject site for more intensive development with regard to bushfire risk and potential issues for bushfire emergency evacuation. The Planning Proposal does not adequately assess the impacts of traffic on the Pacific Motorway (M1) and the Pacific Highway in the event of a bushfire emergency, as Evacuation Risk Modelling has not been prepared as part of the proposal.

It is recommended that appropriate investigations, in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service, be undertaken to address evacuation risks and access considerations. Greater transparency with regards to the NSW RFS response to the Planning Proposal is also requested, so Council can better understand the ongoing concerns with the site.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concerns with the suitability of the site for more intensive residential development with regards to bushfire risk and emergency evacuation. Council’s submission should also recommend further investigations be undertaken in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service, with the RFS response and findings provided to Hornsby Council for review and comment.

13. Sewage Disposal

The Peat Island Planning Proposal Utilities Report prepared by Mott MacDonald, dated August 2021, outlines details of the existing water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications at the site and the implications that proposed future development may have on this infrastructure. The Report states that future development will connect to the Lower Hawkesbury Sewerage Scheme via the Brooklyn Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The Report also notes that Sydney Water have imposed peak flow restrictions for wastewater generated within Mooney Mooney, which is controlled by flow control valves that restrict peak flow to 15L/s before discharging to the Brooklyn WWTP. Further, Peat Island is serviced via a private sewer pump station with a flow metre which restricts flow to a maximum of 5 L/s.

The Report states that the “expected flow rates are marginally higher than the permissible discharge rate” associated with the proposed development and further design investigations are required to be undertaken, including consideration of minor storage tanks within key pump station, to support future development applications for the subject site.

Notwithstanding, the Report states that a system capacity assessment undertaken by Sydney Water found that “the current system has sufficient capacity to service the additional proposed growth” as Brooklyn and Dangar Island sewer catchments are not forecast to exceed original allocation and additional treatment capacity works attributed to Sydney Water could be completed to support the proposed development.

Comment

Regardless of the findings of the system capacity assessment, concern is raised regarding the capacity of Brooklyn’s WWTP to accommodate the discharge requirements of proposed future development associated with the Planning Proposal. As noted in the Utilities Report, the recommendation for further design investigations highlights concerns over the ability of the Brooklyn WWTP to adequately treat peak flow volumes, along with the subsequent probable bypass/discharge into the Hawkesbury River system. Further, increased demand generated by the proposed development may consume a significant portion of the capacity at the WWTP, further reducing flexibility of accommodating future growth in Brooklyn.

Given the sensitive receiving environment of the Hawkesbury River, and associated economic value of oyster aquaculture and fisheries adjacent to the site, it is recommended that secondary pump stations be proposed and constructed to avoid bypass during pump station failure. It is also requested that any details of these upgrades to existing water and sewer infrastructure be completed prior to finalisation of the Planning Proposal and provided to Hornsby Shire Council for further assessment and comment.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concerns with the capacity of the Brooklyn WWTP to accommodate the proposed future development associated with the Planning Proposal and possible impacts to the Hawkesbury River system. Council’s submission should also request that secondary pump stations be constructed prior to finalisation to resolve potential sewer management issues.

14. Water Cycle Management

The Water Cycle Management Review prepared by Mott MacDonald, dated 6 August 2021, outlines the site in the context of flooding, including risk, planning and management; riparian corridors; stormwater quantity and quality management; and includes recommendations for flood planning, affectation and evacuation, riparian corridor offsets and water cycle management.

Comment

Concern is raised with the limited detail provided in the Water Cycle Management Review. Council encourages a total water cycle management approach whereby water is central to the subject site. It is recommended that the proposed development should consider the NSW Government Architects Greener Places rationale to integrate the urban green infrastructure design framework as identified within the Draft Greener Place Design Guide.

It is requested that, at a minimum, the proposed development implement water sensitive measures at a lot and community scale, including:

· Efficient water use to minimise demand on the water resource.

· Irrigation management tools to ensure more productive and efficient use of water.

· Increased reuse of waste water to minimise the demand of the business on the water resource.

· Effective management of sediment and litter.

· Maximising the retention of nutrients to improve efficiency of production and maintain water quality.

· Environmentally responsible use of plantings that embrace the benefits of appropriately selected species.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern with the limited detail provided in the Water Cycle Management Review and recommend that the proposed development consider the urban green infrastructure design framework identified in the Draft Greener Place Design Guide.

15. Heritage Impacts

The Heritage Conservation Management Plan and Heritage Impact Statement prepared by Urbis, dated 20 October 2020 and 9 August 2021 respectively, and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment prepared by Extent, dated August 2021, recognise the significant Aboriginal and European cultural values of the site and propose several recommendations to guide their future use and management. These recommendations include (but are not limited to) historically and cultural sympathetic designs of new buildings and landscaping, adaption of existing historical buildings, detailed records of the existing subject site prior to works commencing, preparation and implementation of an interpretation strategy and ongoing maintenance and investigations into identified Aboriginal archaeological sites.

Of note, the Heritage Conservation Management Plan (CMP) assessed Peat Island and the causeway to the mainland as having State level significance of “historical, social, aesthetic, rarity and representative value”. Accordingly, the CMP includes a recommendation to nominate Peat Island and the causeway for local heritage listing within the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 to retain its heritage and cultural significance.

Comment

The heritage studies and identified recommendations to conserve cultural values are consistent with previous officer-level submissions on the Planning Proposal. The Planning Proposal and associated Final Concept Plan prepared by Urbis, dated 9 August 2021, have responded to reflect these recommendations, which is supported.

However, it is recommended that further measures be considered to acknowledge the former residents and patients of the Peat Island facilities and their families. Of particular note, any interpretation strategy for the previous use of Peat Island should include reference to Brooklyn Cemetery, with over 350 patients/residents of the Island having been identified as buried in unmarked graves there. Further consideration should be given to recognising the impacts that these former facilities have had and appropriately address the sensitive nature of Peat Island’s extensive history.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission acknowledge and indicate support for the heritage recommendations based on the additional heritage technical studies provided by the proponent. It is further recommended that the interpretation strategy for Peat Island acknowledge the former residents and patients of the Island’s facilities and the sensitive history of the site.

16. General Issues

Some of the technical documents supporting the Planning Proposal date back to 2016 and include a cover letter to update them to align with the current concept masterplan. In particular, the Traffic and Transport Review dated 9 August 2021 relies on outdated data which has not been revised to address available data since 2016. This has implications as outlined in the discussion above under Transport Analysis - Train and Bus Service and Commuter Car Parking at Brooklyn.

Since the former proposal (2016 version) was considered by Central Coast Council at its meeting in 2017, an Administrator has been appointed to make decisions for the Council. To be effective, councillors need to understand the views of the people they represent. Communication needs to flow both ways to be effective. Councillors provide information to the community about the policies and decisions of council, and the community relays its desires, concerns, and opinions to the council through the councillors. The process for consideration of the Planning Proposal should ensure that the issues raised by the community during the public exhibition of the Planning Proposal are given a similar level of analysis that would be received from an elected Council.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council’s submission raise concern with the outdated data relied on in the technical studies and highlight that any decision by the Administrator should ensure the proposal demonstrates a benefit to the broader community.

CONSULTATION

The Peat Island Planning Proposal is on public exhibition from 20 September 2021 until 20 December 2021.

Central Coast Council has previously invited comment from Hornsby Shire Council officers as part of pre-exhibition agency consultation. This pre-exhibition consultation occurred in 2017 following issue of the Gateway Determination; in 2019 following submission of an Addendum Report by the proponent; and in February 2021 following submission of an additional Addendum Report outlining further amendments to the Planning Proposal. In response, officer level submissions have been made raising issues with proposal and requesting further analysis of implications. Many of the issues raised by officers have not been addressed in the current proposal.

BUDGET

There are no budgetary implications associated with this Report.

POLICY

There are no direct policy implications associated with this Report, as the Planning Proposal is being progressed for land within the Central Coast Council LGA. However, Council’s submission on the Peat Island Planning Proposal is consistent with the priorities and actions outlined in the Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS), including “PA7. Advocate to Central Coast Council for detailed analysis of the potential impacts of the Peat Island Planning Proposal on Brooklyn”.

CONCLUSION

Central Coast Council is inviting feedback on the Peat Island Planning Proposal as part of the formal public exhibition. The Planning Proposal seeks to amend the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 to facilitate to facilitate a mix of residential, community, tourism and employment generating land uses on surplus Government owned land located at Peat Island and Mooney Mooney.

This report presents an overview of the proposal and outlines the key issues of concern for Hornsby Shire that are included in the submission attached to this report. The concerns relate to the capacity of commuter car parking and community facilities in Brooklyn, economic impacts of commercial/retail generating land uses on Brooklyn, open space provisions, bushfire risk and environmental impacts on Hawkesbury River and surrounding terrestrial and estuarine biodiversity.

It is recommended that Council endorse the submission attached to Director’s Report No. PC17/21 for forwarding to Central Coast Council, to advocate for more detailed analysis of issues including the potential impacts on Brooklyn.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

The officer responsible for the preparation of this Report is the Manager, Strategic Landuse Planning – Katherine Vickery - who can be contacted on 9847 6744.

Katherine Vickery

Manager - Strategic Landuse Planning

Planning and Compliance Division

James Farrington

Director - Planning and Compliance

Planning and Compliance Division

Attachments:

1.	Submission - Peat Island Mooney Mooney Planning Proposal - Public Exhibition - Council Report Copy
2.	Peat Island Planning Proposal - Public Exhibition - Indicative Concept Plan

File Reference: F2021/00030

Document Number: D08254191

Deputy General Manager's Report No. IM11/21

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Date of Meeting: 10/11/2021

10 NSW ROAD CLASSIFICATION REVIEW AND REGIONAL ROAD TRANSFER

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· The NSW Government has identified the Road Reclassification Revision as a key initiative to adjust the classification of the road network to align to contemporary and future community needs.

· The application process for the review is overseen by an independent panel. Applications are examined under a two-round format.

· In 2020 councils were invited to submit roads as part of a targeted round that would act as an evaluation and governance test of the new process. This has enabled the panel to refine and streamline the process for a second-round which is now open and closes on 24 December 2021.

· The independent panel has clearly indicated that the second round will fully evaluate all candidate roads based on the criteria set for the round and has encouraged councils that were unsuccessful in the first round to apply for the second round.

· An important criterion that the independent panel will use to evaluate road candidates for the full round is whether a Council resolution supporting the nomination forms part of the application. This report recommends that Council resolve to support the reclassification of Hastings Road, Castle Hill from a local road to a Regional Road.

· The submission will be prepared following council’s endorsement and provided to councillors prior to lodgement in December 2021.

· The Regional road classification would allow for some state funding for maintenance and upgrades.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council:

2. A copy of the submission be provided to councillors for information following its preparation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the report is to advise Council of an invitation sent to all Councils in NSW asking road managers to identify all roads they intend to submit for reclassification or transfer and seek Council’s endorsement for nominating the reclassification of Hastings Road, Dural from a Local to a Regional road and have it submitted to the full round of the current Road Classification Review and Transfer Panel. The review process requires a Council resolution supporting the application.

Reclassification of Hastings Road from Local to Regional road will enable Council to apply for funding of major upgrading and rehabilitation works on a 50:50 basis in the annual Regional Road Repairs Program administered by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

BACKGROUND

The Road Classification Review and Regional Road Transfer process is a State Government initiative to enable the road network to align to contemporary and future community needs. The last such program was in 2004 and Hornsby Council’s submission to this can be found in Council Report WK47/04.

The current program differs from the 2004 review as it now consists of two components:

· Road Classification Review (NSW wide)

· Regional Road Transfer (regional councils only)

Thus, Hornsby can only make submissions to the Classification Review as the Transfer component is limited to Regional Councils. The 2004 review only considered classification, although it did permit consideration of reclassification of Regional Roads to State Roads but not reclassification of Local Roads as can occur under current arrangements.

An independent panel has been formed to oversee this process. Refer to Attachment 1 for full details of the panel and the process to be undertaken.

To date councils have been invited to submit priority candidates for both classification and transfer. This is the first stage of a two-stage submission process. Hornsby Council submitted Hastings Road, Dural to this priority round which attracted 178 submissions. The outcome of this round has now been determined and a report and response from the NSW Government to the Interim Report (refer to Attachments 2 and 3) has been published with the outcome. Unfortunately, Hornsby’s candidate did not make the list of approved priority projects. This first stage was only intended as an emergency round to allow immediate remedy to target classifications or transfers - 40 of the 178 submissions were approved.

In September 2021 the panel undertook a webinar to update councils on the process and explain how the second round of submissions was to be undertaken. Applications that were unsuccessful from the priority round can be resubmitted to the full round. The full round closes on 24 December 2021. The panel indicated that councils were encouraged to have a Council resolution passed to support their nomination(s) to the full round.

DISCUSSION

Funding Classification in NSW

In NSW roads are classified for state government (TfNSW) administrative and funding purposes in three tiers as follows:

State Roads

These are major arterial links throughout the State and within major urban areas which are the responsibility of the State Government to fund and prioritise, due to their significance in the State and sometimes national network.

Regional Roads

These are routes of secondary importance between State Roads and Local Roads. They are classified based on their significance. It is the responsibility of councils to fund, prioritise and carry out work on Regional Roads. They are eligible for funding assistance from the State Government in recognition of their importance to the network.

Local Roads

These are the remaining council-controlled roads which provide for local circulation and access. It is the priority of council to fund, prioritise and carry out work on Local Roads. Local roads are eligible for State Government funding under the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program and are also eligible for Financial Assistance Grants from the Federal Government.

Functional Classification of Roads

In the late 1970s, the Traffic Authority of New South Wales (now TfNSW) published guidelines for the classification of roads using a functional system. The functional classification system is based on an assessment of traffic volumes, composition and management and classified roads in four tiers as follows:

Arterial

These roads predominantly carry through traffic from one region to another and they form principal avenues of communication for urban traffic movements. Arterial roads fall under the jurisdiction of TfNSW and include roads such as Pennant Hills Road, Pacific Highway, Boundary Road, New Line Road north of Boundary Road, George Street, Beecroft Road and Galston Road etc.

Sub Arterial

These roads connect the arterial road to areas of development or carry traffic directly from one part of a region to another. Sub-arterial roads may also relieve traffic on arterial roads in some circumstances and include roads such as Edgeworth David Avenue, Sherbrook Road/Royston Parade, Malsbury Road, Milson Parade, Chilvers Road, The Esplanade, Yarrara Road and Stevens/Bellamy Streets etc.

The Regional Road category comprises two sub-categories: those Regional Roads that are classified pursuant to the Roads Act 1993 (generally referred to as classified roads) and those Regional Roads that are unclassified. Planning and operational management of classified regional roads require consultation and approval by TfNSW. Planning and operational management of unclassified roads do not require approval of TfNSW. Classified and unclassified roads are listed in Annexure C of DCP 2013 (Attachment 4).

All Regional roads irrespective of their administrative classification (classified or unclassified) are managed and financed by Council. However, due to their network significance, the state government (TfNSW) provides financial assistance to councils for the management of all Regional Roads (classified and unclassified).

Collector

These roads connect the sub-arterial roads to the local road system in developed areas. Collector roads are managed and financed by council.

Local Roads

Local roads are the sub-divisional roads within a developed area. These roads are generally used as local access roads. Local roads are managed and financed by council.

The first road hierarchy plan for Hornsby Council was developed in 1982 using the above four tier classification system developed by the Traffic Authority (Now TfNSW). The Hornsby Shire Road Hierarchy Plan has since been reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Designated State and Regional roads in Hornsby Shire are listed in Annexure C of the Hornsby Development Control Plan 2013 (Attachment 4). All other roads in the Shire that are not listed in Annexure C of DCP 2013 are either local or collector roads within the care and control of Hornsby Council.

A review and update of the Road Hierarchy was commenced in 2020 to underpin the traffic management element of the Shire’s Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy (ILUTS).

In view of the contemporary policy changes in planning for the integration of all modes of transport, the Hornsby Road Hierarchy Plan was recently renamed the ‘Hornsby Movement Corridors Plan and Traffic Management Guide’. This is reflected in the range of TfNSW guidelines which give direction to road environment planning where roads are adapted to serve multiple modes and surrounding land uses more safely and effectively.

In the current review, the emphasis of the road typology has shifted from addressing private vehicular movement to a Movement and Place Framework which aims to allocate road space in a way that improves the liveability of places. The guiding principles within this framework acknowledge that the needs and expectations of transport customers and communities change for different street environments.

TfNSW guidelines for the Movement and Place Framework have been used to review and develop the new Movement Corridor plan for Hornsby Shire. The review has established that there are a few roads in the Shire that perform a higher order function and hence warrant consideration for reclassification. Roads that currently perform a higher order function include Hasting Road (regional/arterial function) and Brooklyn Road (tourist road function). The outcome of the current review and update will be reported to Council along with the ILUTS in 2022,

Proposed Submission to The Review and Transfer Process

A review of the current road hierarchy plan recently undertaken by the Strategy & Place team has established that there are roads in the Shire that perform a higher order function that warrant consideration for reclassification. The review has determined Hastings Road as a priority candidate for consideration in the current review and transfer process. Details of Hastings Road are:

Hastings Road between New Line Road and old Norther Road, Castle Hill

This road is currently classified as a Local Road and provides a connection between New Line Road which is a state arterial road and Old Northern Road which is also a state arterial road. Hastings Road also provides a more direct alternative north south route for Old Northern Road between areas north of Dural Service Centre and areas south and west of Castle Hill Road. Upgrade of New Line Road and signalisation of the intersection with Shepherds Drive is likely to encourage more traffic to use Hastings Road instead of County Drive.

Daily traffic volumes on Hastings Road is in the order of 18,000 vehicles per day which is well outside the range of a local road. Most of the traffic using this road is regional through traffic that may have no origin or destination in Hornsby Shire. The higher order function and traffic volume on this road imposes a maintenance cost burden to Council.

It is proposed that this road be reclassified as a Regional Road. Note that in 2004, Council had included Hastings Road and County Drive in a submission for reclassification from Local to Regional. While the submission for County Drive was successful, the submission for Hastings Road was not successful. Classification of Hastings Road from local to Regional will result in three near parallel regional roads in the same precinct i.e. being:

· New Line Road, connecting Boundary Road a state arterial road and Castle Hill Road also a state arterial road.

· County Drive, connecting New Line Road (state arterial road) and Castle Hill Road (state arterial road).

· Hastings Road, connecting New Line Road (state arterial road) and Old Northern Road (state arterial road).

The traditional principles of the functional classification of urban roads generally does not align with the idea of providing three parallel roads with no other roads in between that directly connect state arterial roads i.e. New Line Road and Castle Hill Road/Old Northern Road. This would have been a major consideration in the previous review when only the County Drive submission was accepted. Notwithstanding, the current proposal to reclassify Hastings Road from Local road to a higher order road has merit.

A preliminary assessment indicates that it satisfies the criteria for classification as a Regional Road. It currently is a main route that connects two state roads – Old Northern and New Line roads – and carries more traffic than would reasonably be expected of a Local road.

The guidelines for submission are attached to this report (Attachment 1). The criteria required to be met for changes in classification are comprehensive and the information required to support any submission is extensive. For this reason, Council officers are unable to provide the supporting information within this report, however, a copy of Council’s submission will be provided to councillors as it becomes available. The closing date for submissions is 24 December 2021.

Following Council’s submission, the Panel will assess applications against the criteria and may undertake consultation as needed. The Panel will then make a report available to councils, prioritising and detailing its findings. This report is planned for early 2022.

BUDGET

There are no budget implications for the 2021/2022 Program, however, should approval for reclassification of the recommended road be successful additional funding could be obtained for maintenance and improvement works for Hastings Road in subsequent Regional Road Repair programs.

POLICY

The recommendation of this report does not impact on any Council Policy.

CONCLUSION

There is an opportunity to reclassify Hastings Road, Castle Hill from a Local to a Regional Road as part of a review process that will be presented to the NSW Road Classification and Regional Road Transfer panel. The review process requires a Council resolution supporting the application. Council officers will prepare a detailed submission supporting the case for the reclassification of the road and submit prior to 24 December 2021. Nonetheless, Council officers are of the view that the reclassification is warranted given that Hastings Road, Castle Hill is an important route connecting two state roads and carries more traffic than what would reasonably expected of a local road.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

The officer responsible for the preparation of this report is the Alan Boyd, Team Leader Pavements Management and Foreshores, Infrastructure and Major Projects who can be contacted on 9847 6672.

Robert Stephens

Deputy General Manager - Infrastructure and Major Projects

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Attachments:

1.	Attachment 1 - NSW Road Classification Review and Transfer Information Paper 2020
2.	Attachment 2 - Road Classification Review Interim Report 2021
3.	Attachment 3 - NSW Government Response to Independent Panel's Interim Report
4.	Attachment 4 - State and Regional Roads - DCP Annexure C

File Reference: F2004/08585

Document Number: D08260838

Deputy General Manager's Report No. IM4/20

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Date of Meeting: 10/11/2021

11 REPORT ON SUBMISSIONS - DRAFT WALKING AND CYCLING STRATEGY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

· At its meeting on 14 October 2020 Council resolved to exhibit the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy for a period of 42 days.

· The Strategy was exhibited from 15 October 2020 to 18 December 2020 and 106 submissions were received. Eighty-three of the submissions supported/provided qualified support of the Strategy. The remainder of the submissions did not support the Walking and Cycling Strategy because it did not include mountain bike facilities.

· The submissions primarily raise matters concerning the provision of facilities for mountain bikes; requests for the inclusion of additional footpaths and cycleways/shared paths; a request for a pump track or skate park in North Epping; requests to work with adjoining councils to link bike paths; and provision of infrastructure to support cyclists (cycle racks, repair stations, etc).

· An Implementation Action Plan has been updated in response to many of the submissions. However, following the public exhibition it has become clear that the preparation of an Active Transport Plan which draws on the content of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and other strategic documents provides a better opportunity to address many of the matters raised in the submissions.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council:

1. Endorse the proposed changes to the Walking and Cycling Strategy highlighted in yellow in the attachment to Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IM4/20.

2. Endorse the amended Walking and Cycling Strategy to assist with the securing of grants and the implementation of operational matters addressed in the Strategy.

4. Notify those who lodged a submission of Council’s decision.

· It is recommended that Council endorse the Walking and Cycling Strategy and that it be used as an input into the preparation of an Active Transport Plan along with several other strategies that either have been adopted or are currently being developed.

· Endorsement of the Walking and Cycling Strategy would assist with the securing of grants and the implementation of operational matters addressed in the Strategy.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to address matters raised in submissions received in response to the exhibition of the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy and to seek endorsement of the Strategy as an input in to the preparation of a new Active Transport Plan.

An Active Transport Plan would address the provision of additional walking activity (notably in bushland areas), mountain biking, road and racing cycling activities and establish the economic and social impacts and benefits of these activities. This approach would in large part address the issues raised during the public exhibition of the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy and provide assurances that the matters raised were being addressed in a timely and comprehensive manner.

Endorsement of the Walking and Cycling Strategy would assist with the securing of grants and the implementation of operational matters addressed in the Strategy and provide a valuable input into the development of an Active Transport Plan.

BACKGROUND

At its meeting on 14 October 2020, Council considered Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IM5/20 concerning the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy and resolved that:

1. The draft Walking and Cycling Strategy attached to Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IM5/20 be placed on public exhibition for a period of 42 days.

2. Following exhibition, a report on submissions be presented to Council for its consideration.

Council also considered a Notice of Motion (NOM 9/21) at the September 2021 General Meeting where it was resolved (in part) that:

1. A report on the public exhibition of the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy be brought back to Council as soon as is practicable.

2. The report give consideration for a future new Strategy to include:

a) How mountain biking can be addressed across the Shire.

b) An analysis of cycling activity and infrastructure in our Shire including learn-to-ride; pump tracks; criterium tracks; ‘pop-up’ tracks; mountain bike trails; commuter cycling; recreational road cycling such as the Three Gorges; and charity events such as the Bobbin Head Cycle Classic.

c) The economic impact and benefits of recreational cycling, road cycling and mountain biking and how Hornsby Shire Can benefit from capitalising on this existing trend.

d) How Council can expeditiously develop a comprehensive Cycling and Mountain Bike Strategy to inform other key current projects.

Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy

The Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy covers the urbanised areas for walking and cycling with bushwalking extending into the rural areas. It does not include an assessment of paved paths in the rural areas or mountain biking, nor does it comprehensively address on road cycling and racing activities.

The main objective of the Strategy is to provide a framework for Council to increase participation in walking and cycling, prioritise its delivery and to improve the supporting infrastructure and resources for these activities in Hornsby Shire over the next 10 years.

In addition to the above the Strategy will inform the preparation of:

· Design solutions for residential housing precincts.

· Development contribution plans/voluntary planning agreements.

· Street tree planting programs.

· Development consent conditions.

· Road improvement programs.

· Grant applications/budget decisions.

· Evaluation and monitoring programs.

The Strategy proposes that the primary objective of increasing participation in walking and cycling would be achieved by:

· Increasing the provision of facilities for short trips (under two kilometre walk and a five-kilometre ride).

· Improving the safety and convenience of facilities for all people who walk and cycle.

Key elements relevant to the Strategy’s objective are:

· A prioritised list of improvements.

· Path and Non-path standards.

· An Implementation Plan comprising a few actions.

Prioritised list of improvements

A capital works program has been developed to inform construction of suitable facilities over the next 10 years with the aim of providing a continuous network of key walking and cycling corridors, resolve missing links and to provide walking and cycling opportunities that connect residents to areas of high use including town centres, hospitals, schools, recreational and public transport facilities.

The priority of the provision of projects is related to those links where expected patronage levels and community benefit are expected to be higher and generally correspond with the current density of residential development and the expected growth in residential development over the life of the plan. An equitable distribution of projects across the Shire has also been a consideration.

Projects have also been drawn from the draft Hornsby Shire Bike Plan (2019), which in addition to a community benefit and patronage level approach proposed several model solutions to establish broad interest in such facilities. These tend to focus on local school catchments where there is an interest in cycling to school and where it is expected further patronage could be encouraged through upgrading of local cycling routes.

The shared pedestrian/cycle path network focuses on the following priority areas:

· Hornsby/Mount Kuring-Gai corridor including solutions for:

o Waitara to Hornsby Town Centre/Waitara Railway Station.

o Mount Kuring-Gai to Hornsby.

o Hornsby Town Centre to Hornsby Hospital.

o Hornsby Town Centre Florence St and Hunter Lane (pedestrian bridge to library).

· Beecroft, Cheltenham and Epping North area incorporating routes to Beecroft and Cheltenham Railway Stations.

· Cherrybrook incorporating routes to the new metro railway station and the Cherrybrook Village Shopping Centre.

· Westleigh/Thornleigh incorporating routes to Westleigh Park and Pennant Hills Railway Station.

The proposed separate footpath network focuses on filling in the gaps in the current footpath network. It seeks to:

· Strengthen circuit walks within urban areas to encourage exercise in selected locations.

· Improve links to bushwalking track entrances through either footpath or signage works.

· Improve links to town and village centres and retail precincts.

· Improve links to key destinations such as parks, schools etc.

· Reinforce and add to existing pathway networks, notably in the suburbs of Beecroft, North Epping, West Pennant Hills, Westleigh, Thornleigh, Asquith, Hornsby Heights, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai, Berowra and Brooklyn. The paths would also extend the connections to the Great North Walk.

The proposed bushwalking tracks mirror those projects adopted in the recent s7.11 Development Contributions Plan.

The delivery and nature of the suggested capital works program will be influenced by the availability of funds and specific site constraints, notably heritage, wildlife habitat and bushland protection need, neighbourhood character, the presence of utilities, car parking needs and the presence of mature trees.

Path and Non-path standards

Notable among the path standards is the requirement to construct 1.8m wide footpaths in high density areas that link to key destinations. Non-path infrastructure includes wayfinding signage, interpretive signage, lighting, seating, cycle parking and storage, drinking fountains, public toilet provision and other amenities. The provision of the facilities will be required to address the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1992 and Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2020.

Implementation Plan

Actions are identified in the Strategy that form part of the Implementation Plan. Twenty-one (21) actions were originally identified, of which five were high priority, nine medium priority, one low priority and six ongoing. The actions are grouped under the following headings:

· Provision of suitable facilities.

· Promotion.

· Integrated Planning.

· Monitoring and Guidance.

DISCUSSION

This section addresses submissions received in response to the exhibition of the Walking and Cycling Strategy (WCS) and outlines an opportunity to use the Walking and Cycling Strategy as an input into a document that brings together/expands on several existing plans and strategies and develops specific policy positions, infrastructure solutions and promotion activities for the provision of the full gambit of walking and cycling activity, including mountain biking across the Shire in a coordinated manner.

Such an approach would address the requirements specified in Notice of Motion (9/21) which was considered by Council in September 2021 and at an Informal Briefing on the 27 October 2021.

Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy Submissions

A total of 106 submissions were received - 23 people did not support the strategy mainly because it did not address mountain biking; 63 submissions did support the strategy; and 20 people provided qualified support for the strategy. Most of the feedback covered the following matters:

· Provision of facilities for mountain bikes.

· Requests for the inclusion of additional footpaths and cycleways/shared paths.

· Request for a pump park or skate park in North Epping.

· Requests to work with adjoining councils to link bike paths.

· Provision of infrastructure to support cyclists (cycle racks, cycle repair stations, water stations, etc).

Recommended changes to the WCS are highlighted in yellow in Attachment 1.

Provision of facilities for mountain bikes

34 submissions wanted mountain biking included in the strategy and three submissions wanted to exclude mountain bikers from bushland areas to protect wildlife. Five submissions also requested that mountain bike tracks be linked to cycle paths to facilitate journeys to work and elsewhere.

Comment:

The WCS includes in Section 6.5 an action to prepare a Nature Based Recreation Strategy that will investigate the balance between user experience and conservation of natural values. This Strategy will, among other things, assess the provision of mountain bike tracks within natural areas. The development of the Natural Area Recreation Strategy has been included as an action in the current Delivery Plan and is programmed to be completed during the 2022/23 financial year. It is expected that the strategy will also address impact on bushland areas and linkages to existing or proposed cycleways.

Notwithstanding the above Council has provided (July 2021) in-principle support to the delivery of mountain bike trails at Westleigh and Hornsby Parks. The specific alignment and location of these trails is the subject of further investigation and engagement with the community and various stakeholders.

Recommendation:

No changes are recommended to the WCS in response to the submissions for mountain biking to be included in the Strategy.

Inclusion of additional footpath and cycling links in the Strategy

Comment:

The suggested additional links include:

· The inclusion of a shared path on Peats Ferry Road, Asquith.

· The inclusion of footpaths through the back streets of Hornsby connecting Bridge Road to Asquith railway station and Asquith Girls High School.

A shared path has been included in the public domain works currently being constructed in Asquith between Hookhams Corner and Wattle Street.

The footpaths through the back streets of Hornsby will be included in the list of potential projects and prioritised annually based on the established criteria during the preparation of successive budgets.

Recommendation:

The additional links be noted.

Provision of infrastructure to support cyclists

Comment:

Several submissions requested cycle servicing stations to be installed. These public servicing units have tyre pumps and various tools that you might need to service your bike as well as a hook to attach your bike for servicing. The request has merit and has been included as an additional item in Section 6.4 of the Strategy within the Proposed standards for walking and cycling non-path infrastructure table.

Recommendation:

The proposed standards table for walking and cycling non-path infrastructure (Section 6.4, page 72) be amended to include the following:

Infrastructure type

Desirable locations for provision

Design considerations

Bike repair units

On routes with high patronage levels throughout the Shire.

The repair units should be a consistent style and design. They should be placed in prominent locations and avoid high pedestrian traffic areas.

The units should be of a robust design to avoid damage from vandalism.

Provision of a pump track and skate park in North Epping

Comment:

This issue was raised by nine individuals. The request is beyond the scope of the current Strategy. The matter of a cycle pump track at the interface of bushland and open space is expected to be examined as part of the Natural Area Recreation Strategy.

The provision of a skate park in North Epping is problematic as all existing open space recreational areas in North Epping are fully developed. A provision of a skate park on Council managed land would have a major impact on existing sports facility provision.

Recommendation:

The comment be noted.

Work with adjoining councils to link bike paths

Comment:

This item was raised in eight submissions.

Recommendation:

Include a new action in the Action Table in Section 6.5 under the heading Provision of suitable facilities the following words:

Item No.	Priority	Mode	Action	Lead Council Department	How
6	Ongoing	Cycling	Work with neighbouring Councils to link bike paths to other LGA's	Infrastructure and Major Projects	Create a Project Control Group with surrounding councils to collaborate and share Cycling maps and ensure that the linkages continue outwards

Requests to extend the Strategy to include the provision of footpaths in the rural area

Comment:

This item was raised in six submissions and is proposed to be addressed separately.

Recommendation:

The provision of footpaths in rural areas be identified as part of an Active Transport Plan.

Other Matters

Other changes are recommended to the WCS. These are addressed below.

Changes to the Action Table – Section 6.5

Submissions, while not numerous, did raise other matters that are considered worthy of including in the WSC. They included:

· Working with Sydney Trains to provide cycle paths along the rail reserve.

· Improving access to footpaths in the Brooklyn Town Centre.

· Educating learner drivers on sharing the road with cyclists.

· Requests for additional bicycle parking at transport nodes.

These items are supported, and additional/amended actions included to address the matters are shown below and are included in the revised Action Table in Section 6.5 of the WCS.

Item No	Priority	Mode	Action	Lead Council Department	How
Integrated Planning
	Ongoing	Cycling	To work with the Rail Authority to provide cycleways along the rail reserve	Infrastructure and Major Projects	Continue to collaborate with neighbouring councils on securing access to the Sydney Trains rail reserve.
Provision of suitable facilities
	Medium	Walking	Improve access in Brooklyn Town Centre	Strategy and Place	Undertake an access audit of Brooklyn Town Centre to determine required footpath works.
Promotion
	Ongoing	Cycling	Educate the community and learner drivers on safety matters.	Infrastructure and Major Projects	Educate learner drivers on sharing the road with cyclists. Community education on safety with e-bikes. Budget $10,000.
Integrated planning
	Medium	Cycling	Map the location and scope of existing bicycle parking and infrastructure to determine possible gaps in provision or opportunities for enhancement. Include an audit of bicycle parking at transport nodes. Ensure the design and location of any new facilities considers the recommended infrastructure guidelines.	Office of the General Manager	Budget $50,000 for the employment of a suitable consultant.

Changes to text in the WCS

The following changes to text in the WCS are recommended:

Changes required to text

Correct a typing error saying ‘strategic strategic’ under section 2.1.14.

List of Shared Paths (Appendix 1 in the WCS)

Title changed to 'Shared path or alternative separate cycleway'

Under shared paths add another line.

Bellamy Street - Stephen Street to Northern end of cul de sac

Note: The length of the shared path in Bellamy Street has been increased.

Changes to mapped routes

The following changes are proposed to the maps:

· The inclusion of a shared path on Peats Ferry Road from Bridge Road, Hornsby to Wattle Street.

· A footpath link through the back streets of Hornsby connecting Bridge Road up to Asquith railway station and Asquith Girls High School. The route passes through Sherbrook Road, Winston Street, Heath Street, Lockwood Street, Lessing Street, Stephen Street through the laneway from Stephen to Arthur Streets, Denison Street and down Miller Avenue.

Proposed New Active Transport Plan

The development of an Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy (ILUTS) is a key initiative in Council’s adopted 2021-2022 Delivery Program, including the Operational Plan 2021/22 for delivery in 2021/22. The ILUTS will provide a strategic framework to plan, facilitate and implement an integrated transport system that is based on the principles of sustainability. It is supported by the following action plans:

· Movement Corridors.

· Car Parking Management (adopted).

· Active Transport.

· Public Transport.

Council could develop a new action plan - an Active Transport Plan which is aligned with the high-level Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy.

An Active Transport Plan would bring together/expand on several existing plans and strategies and develop specific policy positions, infrastructure solutions and promotion activities for the provision of the full gambit of walking and cycling activity across the Shire in a coordinated manner. The Plan would address the priority of provision across actual locations and develop where appropriate concept designs for tree planting, regulatory, wayfinding and interpretative signage, seating, watering stations, cycle parking facilities, shelters/seating and other facilities that improve the amenity and perceived safety of the pathway infrastructure to increase its usage and promotion. All these activities form part of a successful active transport network.

Council already has in progress several key strategies/plans which would provide the technical support for an Active Transport Plan. These documents include the following:

· Bike Plan 2019 (draft).

· Bushwalking Track Masterplan 2019 (draft).

· Play Plan.

· Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.

· Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

· Public Domain Guidelines.

· Natural Area Recreation Strategy (proposed).

· Healthy Ageing Strategy (draft).

The Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy does not address mountain biking, learn-to-ride, pump tracks, criterium tracks, ‘pop-up’ tracks and elite road cycling. The document is also limited to the urban areas of the Shire and focuses predominantly on the path/road way infrastructure.

Also, not addressed in the document is the economic impact and benefits of both road cycling and mountain biking, and how Hornsby Shire can benefit from capitalising on this existing trend. However, the Walking and Cycling Strategy will provide valuable input into the development of a comprehensive Active Transport Plan.

The Active Transport Plan would address the provision of:

· MTB Trails.

· Additional road cycling infrastructure and the demand for appropriate location for a dedicated criterium track.

· Training facilitates for new cyclists.

· Bushwalking tracks and associated infrastructure.

· Footpaths and shared path/on road cycle paths.

It would also address the economic and tourism benefits of various activities and identify appropriate promotion activities; prepare a pedestrian mobility plan for priority routes; establish clear policy positions for accommodating electric bikes, scooters, etc. The Plan would also address active transport users’ abilities from school children, commuters, sports, recreational and elderly, including those that require personal mobility devices, as well as exploring opportunities for collaboration with adjoining councils and state agencies.

It is considered that the development of an Active Transport Plan would address the considerations outlined in Council’s 8 September 2021 resolution, it would ‘pull together’ the considerable amount of existing and proposed strategic documents, as outlined above, to address any disparate/conflicting points and undertake additional research where gaps in information exist to achieve an integrated active transport network across rural, urban and natural areas in the Shire. It would focus on the importance of active transport, the principles supporting active transport, the varied purposes for utilising the active transport network, and how the network is able to support different user abilities.

BUDGET

The current funding strategy is:

· Footpaths are funded from General Funds.

· Council seeks funding for key walking/cycling infrastructure from State Government Grants/ development contributions.

· Development contributions fund works in redevelopment areas.

· The preparation of a Natural Area Recreation Study is also funded.

The preparation of an Active Transport Plan will need to be scoped and budget requirements

addressed with the new Council.

POLICY

Once endorsed the Walking and Cycling Strategy will set a vision for Council as it seeks to improve the participation in walking and cycling across the Shire. Adopted priorities and actions would be incorporated into future amendments to the Local Strategic Planning Statement and new Community Strategic Plan and eventually be absorbed into the proposed new Active Transport Plan.

CONCLUSION

The Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy provides an integrated solution for the provision of footpaths and cycleways across the urban part of the Shire, but it does not address the full gambit of walking and cycling activity; the economic benefit of these activities and specific solutions for a range of supporting infrastructure and promotion activities. It is proposed that Council consider the development of an Active Transport Plan as a means of addressing this omission. An Active Transport Plan would bring together/expand on several existing plans and strategies and develop specific policy positions, infrastructure solutions and promotion activities for the provision of the full gambit of walking and cycling activity across the Shire in a coordinated manner.

Endorsement of the Walking and Cycling Strategy would provide a valuable input into the development of this Plan and would assist with the securing of grants and the implementation of operational matters addressed in the Strategy.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

The officer responsible for the preparation of this Report is the Deputy General Manager Infrastructure and Major Projects – Bob Stephens - who can be contacted on 9847 6555.

Robert Stephens

Deputy General Manager - Infrastructure and Major Projects

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Recommended changes highlighted in yellow on the WCS

File Reference: F2018/00162#31

Document Number: D08012133

1.	HSC Investment Summary Report September 2021
2.	HSC Borrowings Schedule September 2021