The process for the development of Westleigh Park has been long and slow since the land was purchased from Sydney Water in 2016. We wrote about this project in Issues 217 and 219 of STEP Matters. Since 2021 Hornsby Council has been developing plans for a major sporting complex and seeking consultation along the way. The major issue from the environment point of view is the mountain bike tracks that were built illegally by local enthusiasts through the bushland including critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and endangered Duffy Forest.

Much consultation and many workshops have been held particularly about the bike trails. This evolved into a draft master plan and plan of management that were exhibited during 2023. These were finalised and on 13 September 2023 council resolved to provide owner's consent for the lodgement of a development application (DA/975/2023) for Westleigh Park.

Funding withdrawal

Then there was a major hiccup. In 2018, Hornsby was given $40 million for the Westleigh Park project under the Stronger Communities Grant process. These grants were criticised by the auditor-general because of the dominance of awards to Liberal electorates. Since then only $4 million of the grant money has been used. In June the now Labor government ordered council to repay $36 million because they had not demonstrated sufficient progress on the project. Council can keep the interest earned on the money. Nevertheless, council is proceeding.

Stages of development

The project has been divided into three stages (1a, 1b and 2). There is funding for stage 1a with a completion date of mid-2026. Further work will be undertaken as funds become available. Funding is available under a separate grant for construction of mountain bike trails.

Stage 1a

Includes the southern sports platform, mountain bike trails, carparks 3 and 4 the Sefton Road extension – west section and the shared pathway to Ruddock Park.

Stage 1b

Includes the Sefton Road extension – north and east sections around the reservoir.

Stage 2

Has uncertain timing and covers the centre and northern sports platforms, carparks 1 and 2 and Warrigal Drive upgrades.

Sydney North Planning Panel final stage

The final approval stage was completed on 4 December when a Sydney North Planning Panel hearing was held. The purpose of the meeting was to give interested people the opportunity to speak directly to the planning panel before a decision is made. The panel took only four days to determine that the project can go ahead.

Major concerns

• The high level of development of the project and the resulting number of visitors travelling along roads to the end of a ridge surrounded by Berowra Valley National Park and the Dog Pound Creek biobanking site.
• The continuation of bike tracks in endangered ecological communities. Council made a referral to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water asking whether the developments in the bushland that contains endangered ecological communities and threatened flora and fauna needed to be assessed as a controlled action under the EPBC Act. Sadly, this was determined as not necessary which means that the proposed development does not require further assessment or conditions under the EPBC Act.
• The area of bike trails close to an aboriginal rock shelter and the decision to move a scar tree.
• Impact on wildlife of 30 m high floodlighting in use until 10 pm.
• Risk of synthetic turf in bushfire prone area.
• Allowance for use of e-bikes that can be almost of fast as motorbikes.
• Management of the site to prevent control behaviours, damage to wildlife and vegetation.