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'Centennial Park' of the north

$100 million announced for Hornsby Shire

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 to the Advocate this week by Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean.

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 water board 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, mountainbike 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 water board site. Mr Kean said the site would be transformed into a “landmark recreation space” with soccer, cricket, AFL and netball facilities, as well as mountain-bike tracks.

The full article by Jake McCallum appeared in the Hornsby Advocate