Hornsby Shire development: 15,000 extra homes, 30,000 people forecast by 2036

Sydney’s upper north shore is set to experience a population and development boom, with thousands of homes and new residents forcast by 2036.

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Thousands of new homes are expected to be built across Sydney’s Upper North Shore by 2036, as Hornsby Council identify the suburbs expected to bare the brunt of major population and development increases.

Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement, published on Monday, identified a total of 14,879 homes would be required to house forecasted population increases rising from 147,661 people in 2016 to 179,582.

Aerial Shots of the Hornsby CBD, which is forcast to experience a massive development boom.

The report earmarked development boom in suburbs including Beecroft, Cheltenham, Pennant Hills, Mt Colah and Mt Kuring-gai, as well as the Hornsby CBD, Cherrybrook, Thornleigh, Dural and Waitara — increasing the level of high-density development.

The report identified the rail corridor cutting through the shire would house the majority of housing strategic precincts throughout the next 17 years.

“By providing greater housing choice for our community, we can meet the housing needs of increasingly diverse residents and families — such as young families, students

and retirees — throughout their life,” the report said.

Artist impressions of Toplace Cherrybrook Village Precinct Plans on Castle Hill Rd.

“Housing diversity also encourages active lifestyles, increases the number of people living and working close to jobs, services and amenities, as well as managing growth pressures.”

According to the report, suburbs such as Asquith could see a population increase of 31.9 per cent, while Beecroft and Cheltenham could see a 12.1 per cent before 2021.

By 2026, Cherrybrook will experience a 9.9 per cent growth, while dural would witness a 6.6 per cent growth in population.

The report argued that the housing strategy drafted by council’s planning staff enabled the protection of lower density suburbs and “environmentally constrained areas from incompatible development including child care centres and medium density housing”.

AHornsby's historic West Side could get a facelift. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews)

“It will also focus on some of the matters identified by our community (including) protecting our rural areas from inappropriate seniors housing development, providing housing choice, diversity and affordability, and, focusing new housing within a revitalised Hornsby Town Centre.

Hornsby mayor Philip Ruddock said the plan was a “crucial road map” for the future of the Hornsby shire.

“It is crucial that we get that document exactly correct and we need community input to ensure that we do,” he said.

Beecroft residents should expect to see more devleopment, like Beecroft Place Market.

Cr Ruddock said the plan for the Hornsby Town Centre balancing commercial, residential, cultural and environmental needs.

“This will set the tone of planning and development for at least the next generation,” Cr Ruddock said. “We are determined to get as much public input as possible and are undertaking a major community consultation program, far beyond what most councils are doing with similar plans.”