MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING

Held at COUNCIL CHAMBERS, HORNSBY

on Wednesday 11 February 2026

at 7:00 PM

WELCOME TO Country

A Welcome to Country was given by the Darug and GuriNgai Traditional Owner representative, Auntie Ros Fogg OAM.

PRESENT

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

NATIONAL ANTHEM

OPENING PRAYER

Pastor David Nathan from The Hive Church, Hornsby 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. No other persons are permitted to record the Meeting, unless specifically authorised by Council to do so."

APOLOGIES / leave of absence

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 McIntosh, seconded by COUNCILLOR Greenwood,

THAT the Minutes of the General Meeting held on Wednesday 10 December 2025 be confirmed, a copy having been distributed to all Councillors.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

petitionS

Nil

presentations

Nil

Rescission Motions

Nil

Mayoral Minutes

1                 MM1/26       General Manager Recruitment

(F2017/00267)

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

THAT Council commence the recruitment process to appoint a new General Manager.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

ITEMS PASSED BY EXCEPTION

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

Items 5, 9, 10 and 11 were withdrawn for discussion.

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

THAT the recommendations in respect of items 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 be adopted.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

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

Note: Item 8 was called over and noted.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Office of the General Manager

2                 GM1/26       December 2025 Performance Report on the 2025-2029 Delivery Program and Quarterly Budget Review Statement

(F2025/00067)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR McIntosh, seconded by COUNCILLOR McClelland,

THAT the:

1.         December 2025 Performance Report showing progress of the 2025-2029 Delivery Program including the 2025/26 Operational Plan and Budget, be received and noted.

2.         Quarterly Budget Review Statement for the period ending December 2025 be received and noted.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

Corporate Support Division

3                 CS1/26        Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy - Reporting Required by Section 15 of the Policy

(F2004/09552-02)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR McIntosh, seconded by COUNCILLOR McClelland,

THAT Council note that details regarding the provision of Councillor expenses and facilities for the period from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 have been tabled in accordance with the Councillors’ Expenses and Facilities Policy.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

4                 CS2/26        Investments And Borrowings For 2025/2026 - Status For The Periods Ending 30 November 2025 And 31 December 2025

(F2004/06987-02)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR McIntosh, seconded by COUNCILLOR McClelland,

THAT the contents of Director’s Report No. CS2/26 be received and noted.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

Community and Environment Division

5                 CE1/26        Membership of the Welcoming Cities Network

(F2020/00301)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Simons, seconded by COUNCILLOR McIntosh,

THAT Council:

1.         Receive and note the Report.

2.         Become a member of the Welcoming Cities Network.

3.         Integrate Welcoming Cities resources and strategies into Council’s community development programs, Social Plan initiatives, and DIAP actions to strengthen inclusion and participation.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

Planning and Compliance Division

6                 PC1/26        Proposed Amendments to Hornsby Shire Council Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2019-2029

(F2024/00352)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR McIntosh, seconded by COUNCILLOR McClelland,

THAT:

1.         The draft Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2019-2029 attached to Director’s Report No. PC1/26 be placed on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.

2.         Should Council receive no submissions, the draft Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2019-2029 be adopted upon the conclusion of the public exhibition period. Should submissions be received, a report on submissions be presented to Council for consideration.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

7                 PC2/26        Exhibition of NSW Government documents - A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper, draft Sydney Plan and draft Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands

(F2026/00003)

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

THAT the submission attached to Director’s Report No. PC2/26 on the:

1.         Discussion Paper “A New Approach to Strategic Planning” be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for consideration in the development of a new State Land Use Plan.

2.         Draft Sydney Plan be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to advocate for amendments prior to finalisation.

3.         Draft Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to advocate for amendments prior to finalisation.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

Infrastructure and Major Projects Division

Nil

Questions with Notice

Nil

Mayor's Notes

8                 MN1/26       Mayor's Notes 01 December 2025 - 31 January 2026

(F2004/07053-002)

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Creative Arts Family Day at Pacific Berowra Christian School, Berowra.

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Day Assembly at Wideview Public School, Berowra.

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Greenwood attended a Thanksgiving Eucharist and Presentation Assembly at Mount St Benedict College, Beecroft.

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor McClelland attended a Secondary School Celebration at Barker College, Hornsby.

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor McIntosh attended a Studio Artes Exhibition at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby.

Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Councillor McSweeney attended a Presentation Day for Arden Anglican School, at Norwest Convention Centre.

Thursday 4^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Day Assembly at Clarke Road School, Hornsby.

Thursday 4^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended the opening of Bianca’s Garden at a Friend’s Place, National Centre for Childhood Grief, Hornsby.

Thursday 4^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended the Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony at Loreto Normanhurst.

Thursday 4^th December 2025 – The Mayor hosted an annual Mayor’s Christmas Party at Storey Park, Hornsby.

Friday 5^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Speech Day event at Northholm Grammar Junior School, Arcadia.

Friday 5^th December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor McClelland attended the Opening Ceremony of CASS Asqutih Residential Care Facility, Asquith.

Saturday 6^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended The Bushcare and Community Nursery Volunteers Christmas Party, at Pennant Hills Bowling Club, Pennant Hills.

Monday 8^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended an Annual Presentation Day Assembly at Galston Public School, Galston.

Monday 8^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Hide and Go Creek Augment Reality photo shoot, at Ginger Meggs Creek Crossing.

Monday 8^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended 1^st Hornsby Heights Scout Group’s Kings Scout Award Ceremony, at Hornsby Heights Scout Hall.

Tuesday 9^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Evening at Galston High School, Galston.

Tuesday 9^th December 2025 – On behalf of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor McClelland attended a Presentation Evening at Pennant Hills High School, Pennant Hills.

Wednesday 10^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Evening at Pacific Berowra Christian School, Berowra.

Thursday 11^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Hornsby Shire Council’s Volunteer Christmas Party, at Hornsby Library, Hornsby.

Friday 12^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Day event for Asquith Girls High School, at Hornsby RSL.

Saturday 13^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended Carols by Candlelight at Fagan Park, Galston.

Sunday 14^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended Carols at Asquith Oval, Asquith.

Monday 15^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended Asquith Boys High School’s 65^th Annual Presentation Day, Asquith.

Monday 15^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a Presentation Evening at Middle Dural Public School, Middle Dural.

Tuesday 16^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended Hornsby Girls High School’s 2025 Annual Speech Day, at Sydney Town Hall, Sydney.

Tuesday 16^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended Normanhurst Boys High School’s 2025 Presentation Night, at Hornsby RSL.

Wednesday 17^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended the last day of trading at Hornsby Connect, Hornsby.

Wednesday 17^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended an end of year get together for Women’s Shed Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, at PCYC Hornsby.

Wednesday 17^th December 2025 – The Mayor attended a photo shoot at North Epping Oval for the Oval Fitness Trail, at North Epping Oval Playground.

Saturday 24^th January 2026 – The Mayor attended Australia Day Celebrations at Galston Valley Railway, Galston.

Monday 26^th January 2026 – The Mayor hosted one Citizenship Ceremony at Fagan Park.

CALLED OVER AND NOTED

Notices of Motion

9                 NOM1/26    Former Crusher Plant, Hornsby Park

(F2025/00258)

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

THAT:

1.         Council holds a soft opening for the first stage of Hornsby Park, as scheduled in late March 2026. This would allow for guided group tour visits, rather than a full scale opening to the public.

2.         As a priority, council staff present to councillors all information necessary for council to determine the future of the former crusher plant buildings and the site where those buildings currently stand.

FOR:                Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, Seaglove, Simons and Tilbury

AGAINST:        Councillors McClelland, McIntosh, McSweeney and Waddell

10               NOM2/26    Berowra Railway Station Northern Commuter Carpark

(F2009/00417)

MOVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR TILBURY, seconded by COUNCILLOR SIMONS,

THAT Council:

1.         Immediately make safe the large and small potholes in the section of the Berowra railway station’s northern commuter carpark it is still technically responsible for maintaining.

2.         Write to the Minister for Transport, John Graham MLC, Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward MLC, Minister for Crown Lands Stephen Kamper MP and Hornsby MP, James Wallace, to request that Sydney Trains (Transport for NSW) immediately and formally take over responsibility for the land around Berowra railway station, including the entire area of Berowra railway station’s northern commuter carpark.

AN AMENDMENT was MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WADDELL,

THAT subject to Transport for NSW entering into a license agreement with Crown Lands by 13 February 2026, confirming its long term responsibility for, and commitment to, the ongoing maintenance of the area around Berowra Railway Station, including the entire northern commuter car park, Council, as a one off action, undertake repairs to the large and small potholes identified in Notice of Motion No. NOM2/26.

DUE TO A LACK OF SECONDER, THE AMENDMENT LAPSED.

THE MOTION MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TILBURY, seconded by COUNCILLOR SIMONS WAS PUT AND LOST.

FOR:                Councillors Tilbury and Waddell

AGAINST:        Councillors Ball, Conley, Greenwood, McClelland, McIntosh, McSweeney, Seaglove and Simons

11               NOM3/26    Enhancing Public Visibility of Tree Works

(F2026/00009)

MOVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BALL, seconded by COUNCILLOR MCCLELLAND,

THAT Council:

1.         Note ongoing community concern about illegal tree removals and the lack of public facing information where Council approval has been granted.

2.         Implement a searchable database of approved and refused tree works hosted on Council’s website.

3.         Except in the case of an emergency, apply standard conditions to Council tree approvals requiring the tree approval to be prominently displayed at the property boundary for at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled tree removal, supported by distinct high visibility ribbons to be attached to the trees approved for removal.

AN AMENDMENT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BALL, seconded by COUNCILLOR SIMONS,

THAT:

1.         Council note ongoing community concern about illegal tree removals and the lack of public facing information where Council approval has been granted.

2.         Council implement a searchable database of valid tree approvals hosted on Council’s website.

3.         Council except in the case of an emergency, applies standard conditions to Council tree approvals designed to achieve the following:

a)         Require the tree approval to be prominently displayed at the property boundary for at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled tree removal, supported by distinct high visibility ribbons to be attached to the trees approved for removal, providing the local community with a simple, clear way to distinguish between approved versus illegal tree removals.

b)         Restrict tree removals from occurring on weekends and public holidays – that is conditional approval for tree removals is limited to standard hours on weekdays (7am – 5pm, Monday-Friday)..

4.         Items 1, 2, and 3 be presented for consideration in the preparation of Councils Tree Management Policy and procedures currently under review.

THE AMENDMENT MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BALL, seconded by COUNCILLOR SIMONS, WAS PUT AND CARRIED.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

THE AMENDMENT THEREBY BECAME THE MOTION WHICH WAS PUT AND CARRIED.

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

AGAINST:        Nil

MATTERS OF URGENCY

Nil

THE MEETING concluded at 8.43pm.

These Minutes were confirmed at the meeting held on Wednesday 11 March 2026, at which meeting the signature hereunder was subscribed.

CONFIRMED                   CHAIRMAN

______________________________________________________________________________