Parks and sporting facilities planned for Hornsby Shire, Hills Shire

The rapid pace of residential development in Sydney’s Hills Shire and Hornsby Shire has been with increased calls for more greens spaces. See the full list of the most ambitious proposals.

The rapid population growth in Sydney’s north west and upper north shore has been met with increased calls from residents to boost the number of green spaces and sporting facilities.

In The Hills Shire, the community has been particularly vocal about the need for more parks to keep pace with the rapid pace of development.

Current trends indicate there will be 107,000 new people living in northwest Sydney in the next 14 years. This is staggering population growth — from today’s 183,000 residents to an estimated 290,000 by 2036.

Speaking to NewsLocal, Hills Shire Mayor Peter Gangemi noted several parks, including Balmoral Road Reserve and Hannaford Avenue Reserve which will soon be open.

“Our community highly values our parks, playgrounds and sporting fields, and the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how important they are for both health and wellbeing,” Mr Gangemi said.

“(It’s) important that ... our community has access to open space facilities, particularly in our newer areas, which are undergoing growth and change.

While Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock said providing excellent outdoor spaces was a top commitment for council.

“Whether it’s for playing community sport, exercising, walking a dog or relaxing with a picnic, our parks, ovals and playgrounds play a vital role in our community,” Mr Ruddock said.

“We are committed to providing high quality, well maintained green spaces across the shire so all residents can get out and about and enjoy the great outdoors.”

Here’s a list of the most ambitious parks and sporting facilities planned for Sydney’s northernmost suburbs.

Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara

Mark Taylor Oval.

After completely rebuilding the Mark Taylor Oval playing surface, construction work has now begun on a $3.5 million indoor cricket centre.

The first of its kind in Sydney’s upper north shore, this indoor centre will be home to adult cricket teams as well as junior representative cricketers, for all weather training and specialist coaching.

Hornsby MP Matt Kean said this project was all about making Mark Taylor Oval the premier cricket facility in northern Sydney.

“The investment in Mark Taylor Oval will ultimately give the local cricketers the best possible facilities and become a standard that could see cricket women’s international played in Hornsby, which is really exciting,” he said.

The upgrades to this cricketing facility are part of a $9 million NSW Government funding commitment for Hornsby Shire council and the Northern District Cricket Club.

There are future plans to construct a new pavilion with seating, change rooms, meeting spaces, and cricket and rugby clubrooms.

Sports complex, The Gables

The Gables sports complex.

The Hills’ newest residential estate could soon receive a sporting mecca with development plans valued at just under $20 million.

The 4ha sporting complex at The Gables would be funded by developer Stockland and the state government.

The NSW Government has agreed to provide more than $10 million for the construction of two playing fields and sports field lighting. The funding could also be directed towards an additional off-leash dog area, basketball courts and improved amenities.

Following community consultation, suggestions for additional sporting facilities to be delivered by Stockland include a skate park, outdoor fitness gym, an ‘adventure’ playground with trampolines, a water play area and outdoor barbecues.

Construction is scheduled to commence later this year and reach completion in June 2023.

Hornsby Park, Hornsby

Hornsby Park

One of the most ambitious proposals in northern Sydney is Hornsby Shire Council’s plans to construct a 59ha public park where Hornsby Quarry sits.

“The rehabilitation of the old quarry is the largest single project ever undertaken by Hornsby Shire council,” a council document states.

The former quarry will remain at the centre of the park, with plans to establish green open space along the quarry’s western wall.

There will also be an amphitheatre, freshwater lake, lookouts and wetlands.

With the first stage of this park set to open in 2024, council has proposed $21 million in spending on improvements and detailed designs of this park over the next year.

Samantha Riley Drive Reserve, North Kellyville

Samantha Riley Drive Reserve.

Earlier this year, the Hills Shire council unanimously agreed to begin the multimillion-dollar construction of a sprawling new park with state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

Samantha Riley Drive Reserve will be located between Stamford Bridge Av and Glenhaven Rd — on the northern side of Samantha Riley Dr in North Kellyville.

The 9ha park will include four multipurpose rectangular turf sports fields, which can also be split into two ovals, as well as a playground, a basketball court, two cricket nets, sports field lighting and picnic facilities.

There will also be an amenities building with accessible toilets, change rooms, a kiosk, a referee room and storage, as well as a 200-space car park.

Westleigh Park, Westleigh

Westleigh Park

Although still in its early stages, Westleigh Park is one of Hornsby Shire council’s most ambitious projects.

In 2016, council purchased 36ha of land in Westleigh bordered by Waitara Creek bushland to the east and Berowra Valley National Park to the west.

Some of the current plans for Westleigh Park include community based sport facilities, mountain biking trails, a children’s playground, picnic areas and bushwalking tracks.

There are also plans for three sports facilities platforms — an athletics track, a multipurpose sports field and a turf field.

Design workshops, with 20 to 30 community members, are set to take place next month.