MINUTES OF General Meeting

Held at Council Chambers, HORNSBY

on Wednesday 14 May 2025

at 6:30 PM

Welcome to country

A Welcome to Country was given by the Darug and GuriNgai Traditional Owner representative, Lauren Moore.

PRESENT

Councillors Waddell (Chairman), Ball, Conley (remote), Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove and Tilbury.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

OPENING PRAYER

Reverend Andrew Maxwell from Asquith Church of Christ, opened the meeting in prayer.

Acknowledgement of RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Statement by the Chairman:

"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."

Video and AUDIO RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETING

Statement by the Chairman:

"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 AND or remote attendANCE

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR TILBURY seconded by COUNCILLOR BALL,

THAT the:

1. Request to attend the General Meeting on 14 May 2025 remotely from Councillor Conley, be granted.

2. Apology and request for leave of absence from Councillor McIntosh in respect of an inability to attend the Council Meeting on 14 May 2025 be accepted and leave of absence be granted

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

political donations disclosure

Statement by the Chairman:

“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

Nil

confirmation of minutes

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BALL seconded by COUNCILLOR GREENWOOD,

THAT the Minutes of the General Meeting held on Wednesday 9 April 2025 be confirmed, a copy having been distributed to all Councillors.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

petitionS

Nil

presentations

Nil

Rescission Motions

Nil

Mayoral Minutes

8                 MM4/25       Seeking Community Access to School Grounds

(F2004/07826-004)

Mr John Inshaw, of Galston Area Residents Association addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr George Nadwie, of Galston Area Residents Association addressed Council regarding this item.

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR WADDELL seconded by COUNCILLOR MCCLELLAND,

THAT:

1. Council hold an Informal Councillor Briefing to discuss potential opportunities and challenges of accessing open space and sports facilities at primary and high schools within the Hornsby Shire.

2. The Briefing should include a local successful case study and current opportunities that could be considered across NSROC Council’s.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

ITEMS PASSED BY EXCEPTION / CALL FOR SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED his intention to deal with the balance of the Business Paper by the exception method and announced the items.

Items 3, 4 and 7 were withdrawn for discussion.

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR TILBURY, seconded by COUNCILLOR BALL,

THAT the recommendations in respect of items 1 and 2 be adopted.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:    Nil

For the sake of clarity, the above items are recorded in Agenda sequence.

Note: Items 5 and 8 were called over and noted.

Note: Persons wishing to address Council on matters which were on the Agenda were permitted to address Council prior to the item being discussed. The names of speakers are recorded in the Minutes in respect of the particular item.

Note: Persons wishing to address Council on Non Agenda items were permitted to speak or provide a submission to Council after all items on the Agenda in respect of which there was a speaker from the public were finalised by Council. Their names are recorded in the Minutes under the heading “Public Forum – Non Agenda Items”.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Office of the General Manager

Corporate Support Division

1                 CS17/25      Investments and Borrowings For 2024/25 - Status For Period Ending 31 March 2025

(F2004/06987-02)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR TILBURY, seconded by COUNCILLOR BALL,

THAT the contents of Director’s Report No. CS17/25 be received and noted.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

2                 CS20/25      2024/25 Budget - March 2025 Quarter Review

(F2024/00060)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR TILBURY, seconded by COUNCILLOR BALL,

THAT the March 2025 Quarter Review of the Operational Plan (Budget) for 2024/25 be received and noted.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

3                 CS21/25      Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2034/35 - Adoption for Public Exhibition

(F2024/00060)

Ms Jan Primrose, on behalf of Protecting Your Suburban Environment Inc. addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr John Inshaw, on behalf of Galston Area Residents Association addressed Council regarding this item.

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BALL, seconded by COUNCILLOR TILBURY,

THAT:

1.         Council adopt the draft 2025/26 – 2034/35 Long Term Financial Plan attached to Director’s Report No. CS21/25 and place the document on public exhibition from 15 May 2025 to 12 June 2025.

2.         Following public exhibition, a further report be prepared for Council’s consideration at the 9 July 2025 General Meeting that outlines and responds to any submissions received during the exhibition period and recommends the adoption of Council’s 2025/26 – 2034/35 Long Term Financial Plan.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

Community and Environment Division

Nil

Planning and Compliance Division

4                 PC9/25        Report on Submissions - Hornsby Town Centre Public Domain Plan, Development Contributions Plan and Development Control Plan Amendments

(F2018/00321-004)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BALL, seconded by COUNCILLOR TILBURY,

THAT:

1.         Council endorse the Hornsby Town Centre Public Domain Guidelines, Hornsby Town Centre Precinct Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2025 and amendments to Hornsby Development Control Plan 2024 attached to Director’s Report No. PC9/25.

2.         Notification be published on Council’s website.

3.         Submitters be advised of Council’s decision.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:         Nil

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Nil

PUBLIC FORUM – NON AGENDA ITEMS

Mr Ian Henry Herbert, of Hornsby addressed Council regarding stormwater and drainage issues.

Mrs Emilia Chistiakov, of Asquith addressed Council regarding dog agility tracks in the local area.

Mr George Nadwie, on behalf of Galston Area Residents Association addressed Council regarding the Draft Planning Proposal, 1-3 Johnson Road, Galston.

Ms Cheryl Pester, of Galston addressed Council regarding the Draft Planning Proposal, 1-3 Johnson Road, Galston.

Mrs Pauline Tondl, of Galston addressed Council regarding the Draft Planning Proposal, 1-3 Johnson Road, Galston.

Mr Mark Anderson, of Normanhurst addressed Council to offer his thanks and appreciation in relation to an upgrade of Charles Curtis Park in Normanhurst.

Mr Ben Simmonds, of Thornleigh addressed Council regarding footpaths within the Hornsby Shire.

Ms Jan Primrose, on behalf of Protecting Your Suburban Environment Inc. addressed Council regarding the Draft Planning Proposal, 1-3 Johnson Road, Galston.

Ms Katrina Emmett, of Galston provided a submission to Council regarding the Draft Planning Proposal, 1-3 Johnson Road, Galston.

Questions with Notice

5                 QWN1/25     Synthetic Sports Fields

(F2016/00360)

Responses to the Questions with Notice asked by COUNCILLOR ball to the Director, Community and Environment - QWN1/25, are provided below:

1. Please itemise the location and age of any existing synthetic turf sports fields in the Hornsby LGA.

Location	Installation date
Pennant Hills Hockey No.1	2012
Pennant Hills Hockey No.2	2013
Pennant Hills Oval No.3	2016

Other synthetic surfaces throughout the LGA include:

Type	Area (m2)	Comment
Cricket Wickets	1,560	26 wickets
Practice Wickets	2,840	13 sites
Tennis	31,500	50 courts
Pennant Hills No 3	7,800	1 football pitch
Pennant Hills Hockey	11,600	2 hockey fields
Dog Parks	1,250	2 sites
Playgrounds	1,000	Multiple sites
Brickpit golf driving range	14,000
Hornsby Mall	750
Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Centre	700
TOTAL	73,000

2. Please advise of any strategies or plans to replace existing synthetic turf sports fields; or develop additional synthetic sports fields in the Hornsby LGA.

Council’s adopted Sportsground Strategy (2018) provides an assessment of the current and future demands for sportsgrounds and provides recommendations to meet these demands. 

The Strategy identifies that in 2018 there was a 12.6Ha shortfall of playing surface area, rising to 19.9Ha by 2026.  Allowing for ancillary space needs (amenities, parking, circulation etc), the total additional land area required by 2026 was projected to be approximately 33.8Ha.

The Strategy identifies a range of options for Council to consider in addressing these shortfalls including:

· Improving the carrying capacity of existing sportsgrounds

· Installing or upgrading lighting

· Reconfiguring playing fields to improve functionality

· Upgrading drainage and/or surface quality

· Installing additional multi-purpose synthetic surfaces or special purpose surfaces

· Ensuring provision of active open space land in new residential developments

· Converting existing open space to sportsground use

· Acquiring or securing other land for sportsgrounds

· Partnering with schools and/or other institutions to use existing or develop new facilities

· Consideration of new technology

· Ensuring the sportsground allocation process effectively balances maximising use with equity of access.

· Continuing to improve field maintenance and management practices.

With respect to the renewal of existing synthetic sports fields, the synthetic sportsfield at Pennant Hills Park was installed in 2016 and financial modelling included in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan provides for its surface renewal within the period of the LTFP.

The two hockey fields at Pennant Hills Park were paid for an installed by Hockey and timing of their renewal would primarily be a matter for the sport.

Regarding additional sportsfields, Council’s adopted Masterplan and Development Consent for Westleigh Park provides for a synthetic sportsfield as part of Stage 2 of the development.  The Hornsby Park Masterplan also identifies that the Old Man’s Valley Sportsfield could be developed as either a natural turf or synthetic sportsfield.  In this regard it is noted that Council’s successful Old Man’s Valley Field of Play Grant provides for a natural turf sportsfield.

Other locations identified in the Sportsground Strategy for possible synthetic surfaces include Campbell Park, Pennant Hills; Warrina Street Oval (small), Berowra; John Purchase Oval, Cherrybrook and Cheltenham Oval, Cheltenham.  These are all in the Strategy however none are currently

It should however be noted, that none of the above sites are under active consideration and prior to the progression of any of these sites, detailed analysis would be required to determine viability and community support, funding secured, and specific project endorsement by Council.

3. Is Martin Sheppard, Smart Connection Consultancy and/or SportEng undertaking any consulting for Hornsby Council regarding synthetic sports fields? If so, what is the contract value of this consulting work?

Council has no active contracts with any of the above entities.  Notwithstanding it is understood SportEng has been a subconsultant for the designs of both Hornsby Park and Westleigh Park projects.  This includes completion of the DA Package for Westleigh Park.

4. How much money has Hornsby Council paid these companies over the last 5 years?

Smart Connection Consultancy	$7,219.00
SportEng	$15,669.50

5.         What training days and/or workshops regarding synthetic sports fields have Hornsby Council staff and Hornsby Councillors attended in the past 5 years? And at what cost?

Year	Workshop	Organiser/Presenter	Cost	Attendance
2020	Nil		$0
2021	Advisory Group for Synthetic Surfaces in Public Open Space Guideline	Department of Planning, Industry and Environment	$0	Senior Departmental Staff and Council Officers
2022	Advisory Group for Synthetic Surfaces in Public Open Space Guideline	Department of Planning, Industry and Environment	$0	Senior Departmental Staff and Council Officers
2022	National Sports and Physical Activity Convention	Smart Connection Consultancy	$1,694	Council Officers
2022	Local Sporting Needs Council Informal Workshop	Council Officers	$3,575	Workshop with Councillors and staff about Councils Sportsground Strategy and local sporting needs.  Included a session providing and overview of the role of synthetic sports surfaces from Smart Connections Consultancy
2023	National Sports and Physical Activity Convention	Smart Connection Consultancy	$1,725	Council Officers
2023	Westleigh DA Package	Council Officers	$1,320	Workshop with Councillors and staff.
2024	The Big Squeeze Forum – Meeting the Critical Need for Local/District Sport Facilities	Parks and Leisure Australia – NSW/ACT Branch	$250	Council Officers presenting on work undertaken by NSROC
2024	Synthetic Turf in Public Open Space guideline	Department of Planning, Industry and Environment	$0	Senior Departmental Staff and Council Officers

CAlled over and noted

Mayor's Notes

6                 MN4/25        Mayor's Notes 01 April 2025 to 30 April 2025

(F2004/07053-002)

Note:  These are the functions that the Mayor, or his representative, has attended in addition to the normal Council Meetings, Workshops, Mayoral Interviews and other Council Committee Meetings.

Wednesday 2^nd April 2025 – The Mayor hosted two Citizenship Ceremonies in the Council Administration Building, Hornsby.

Sunday 6^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Annual Presentation Event for Glenorie District Cricket Club, Glenorie.

Sunday 6^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Scouts Annual Awards and Report Meeting, Dural.

Sunday 6^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor McIntosh attended the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust High Tea,  Cheltenham.

Sunday 6^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Greenwood attended the Epping Scout Group’s Annual Report Presentation Event, Epping.

Monday 7^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Hornsby District Rotary Club Meeting, Waitara.

Wednesday 9^th April 2025 – The Mayor visited Edgeworth David Community Gardens, Hornsby.

Friday 11^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended an ANZAC Day Assembly at Asquith Girls High School, Asquith.

Friday 11^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor McIntosh attended the Northern District Cricket Club’s presentation night, Hornsby.

Sunday 13^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended a photoshoot with the Asquith Women’s Football Club, Hornsby.

Sunday 13^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Hornsby Second-Hand Markets on the corner of Jersey Lane and Beattie Lane, Hornsby.

Sunday 13^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Hills District Chapter of the Glenorie RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Sunday Commemoration Service.

Sunday 20^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the Australia India Cenotaph Committee’s ANZAC Day Service, Cherrybrook.

Wednesday 23^rd April 2025 – The Mayor attended an ANZAC Day Service, by Anglicare Castle Hill, Castle Hill.

Wednesday 23^rd April 2025 – The Mayor attended The Lions of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook ANZAC Commemoration Dinner, West Pennant Hills.

Thursday 24^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended an ANZAC Day Service, at Cherrybrook Village, Cherrybrook.

Friday 25^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service by RSL Hornsby Sub-Branch, Hornsby.

Friday 25^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service by RSL Berowra Sub-Branch, Berowra.

Friday 25^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the ANZAC Day Service by Glenorie RSL, Glenorie.

Friday 25^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Greenwood attended the Glenorie ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Glenorie.

Friday 25^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Greenwood attended the ANZAC Day Sunset Service, by West Pennant Hills Sports Club, Cherrybrook.

Sunday 27^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Simons attended the ANZAC Service by RSL Brooklyn Sub-Branch, Brooklyn.

Monday 28^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended a photoshoot at Ron Payne Park, North Epping.

Monday 28^th April 2025 – The Mayor attended the ANZAC Day Service by Christian Brethren Community Services, Cherrybrook.

Tuesday 29^th April 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor McClelland attended an ANZAC Day Service at Barker College, Hornsby.

called over and noted

Notices of Motion

Nil

Supplementary Reports

7                 GM28/25      Special Entertainment Precinct Update

(F2025/00072)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR GREENWOOD, seconded by COUNCILLOR MCSWEENEY,

THAT Council:

1.         Note the successful application to the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program and the constraints and timeframes associated with the funding detailed in this report.

2.         Nominate Councillor McIntosh (Deputy Mayor), Councillor Ball and Councillor McClelland to participate in the Precinct Working Group for the Hornsby Transport Oriented Development SEP Project.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McSweeney, Seaglove, Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:    Nil 

MATTERS OF URGENCY

Nil

THE MEETING concluded at 7.50pm.

These Minutes were confirmed at the meeting held on Wednesday 11 June 2025, at which meeting the signature hereunder was subscribed.

CONFIRMED                                                                                CHAIRMAN

______________________________________________________________________________