$100 million cash splash for Hornsby Quarry, Westleigh Waterboard site
EXCLUSIVE: Hornsby Quarry would be turned into a Centennial Park-style parkland and the abandoned sewage dump, the Westleigh site, into a recreation drawcard, after a secret $90 million in the State Budget was allocated for local projects.
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EXCLUSIVE: Transforming Hornsby Quarry into a Centennial Park-style parkland and converting an abandoned Westleigh site into a recreation drawcard is in the pipeline after a secret $90 million in the State Budget was allocated for local projects.
The funds were revealed by Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean to the Hornsby Advocate this week.
The cash splash will go towards filling the rates gap after suburbs south of the M2 became part of Parramatta Council’s area.
Mr Kean said the $100 million payday was a “record investment” in the shire.
“It will transform the Hornsby Quarry into the Centennial Park of the north and mean the disused Westleigh Waterboard site will provide sporting fields for our entire community to enjoy,” Mr Kean said.
A total of $50 million was allocated to the beautification of the Hornsby Quarry, a major project by the council to transform it into multi-use parkland.
Community consultation saw residents call for walking tracks, picnic areas and open spaces, mountain bike tracks, as well as arts, community and historical facilities.
Residents also called for the old crusher plant at the quarry to be transformed into a cafe and amphitheatre.
More than $40 million will go to the redevelopment of the Westleigh Waterboard site.
Mr Kean said the site would be transformed into a “landmark recreation space” with soccer, cricket, Australian rules football and netball facilities, as well as mountain bike tracks.
The site is 34 hectares of land Hornsby Council purchased from Sydney Water in June 2016 to be developed as public space for the community.
It was a former sewage dump that was closed in 1964.
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Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said the funding was a step towards compensating residents for the loss of rates.
“This is a major win, not just for this shire but for all the people throughout the region who will use these facilities,” Cr Ruddock said.
“Obviously, this payment is not enough to fully compensate the people of Hornsby Shire but it is a very good start. We look forward to continuing discussions … to achieve full compensation.”
Mr Kean said a further $10 million would go towards resolving council boundary issues.