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Hornsby Shire Council has resolved to provide owner’s consent and lodge a Development Application (DA) for its major park project at Westleigh – marking its commitment to the major new sport and recreation space on Sydney’s North Shore.

The 36-hectare parcel of land was purchased by Council in 2016 for $21 million to address the increasing demands for active recreation within the Shire arising from an increase in population, an increase in participation in outdoor recreation, an increase in female participation in sports, and changing trends for both team sports and individual recreational.

The Master Plan for Westleigh Park was adopted in June 2023 after extensive community engagement and outlines how the redevelopment will create a major parkland with much-needed spaces for the community to play sport as well as enjoy ‘unstructured recreation experiences’, while conserving important bushland areas. The DA will seek assessment and determination for the entire scope of the project, which will be delivered in stages.

As well as amenities, parking and walking and bike trails, Stage One will feature a multipurpose platform with a natural turf sports field which could be adapted to make two full size competition football fields, two full-size Rugby fields, or a full-size AFL field available to the community and a full-size cricket field during summer.

Plans for Stage Two include another flexible turf sports field accommodating two football fields, two Rugby fields, or an AFL field, and a cricket field during summer, as well as a senior competition grade athletics track and internal athletics field that could also accommodate a fifth football field when not being used for athletics.

Hornsby Shire Council Mayor Phillip Ruddock said that the new park would provide vital recreation space, helping to address a major shortfall in the area and enthused “we are excited and proud to take this significant step forward in providing the community with the vital recreation space it needs and wants. Lodging a DA for this new park is yet another demonstration of our full commitment to delivering the infrastructure that has been promised to our community, as outlined in the Westleigh Park Master Plan, our Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Long Term Financial Plan.

“To all the girls who have been inspired by the Matildas to follow their passion for football or other sports, I say Hornsby Shire Council supports you. These new facilities at Westleigh Park will address the major shortfall in sportsfields and become a Mecca for girls, and boys, from the North-West and beyond to develop their skills and enjoy the many benefits to physical and mental health that sport and recreation bring.”

The Master Plan was developed following the adoption of the Hornsby Sportsground Strategy in 2018 and the receipt of $40 million in funding from the NSW Government in 2019.

The Westleigh Park DA will be lodged this month. It is expected that construction will begin in the 2024/25 financial year with Stage One scheduled to open in 2026. For more details on Westleigh Park visit hornsby.nsw.gov.au/westleighpark.

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