Hornsby Shire Council is calling on people of all ages who live in, work in or visit Hornsby Shire to help build a Plan for a socially sustainable Shire by sharing what they feel are the important issues facing the community today and in the future.
With the community’s input, Council is developing a ten-year Social Plan which will identify the long-term vision for a socially sustainable Hornsby Shire. The plan will set out clear directions, priorities and actions to support social cohesion, community connectedness, resilience and wellbeing for all community members.
Hornsby Shire Mayor the Hon Philip Ruddock AO explained why it is important for everyone to have input to the first stages of engagement to help shape the new Social Plan.
“With our diverse communities across Hornsby Shire – from Hornsby Town Centre to rural and riverside villages – Hornsby Shire is a place that offers unique appeal and character.
“Our community is growing and changing. Our first people are the Dharug and GuriNgai peoples, the community is living longer, we’re more culturally and linguistically diverse than ever, and we’re living in all types of housing,” said Mayor Ruddock.
“We want to support all our residents by making sure their needs are met, both now and as the population grows and changes over the next ten years. That’s why I’m calling on everyone to share their feedback on what they consider are the important social issues, and their social needs and aspirations. I encourage you to get involved by completing a short survey available at or by attending a community forum or pop-up.
“The more insights that can be gathered from the entire community, the more we can make a relevant, beneficial Social Plan for everyone,” Mayor Ruddock continued.
To ensure Council hears from the whole community, the Social Plan survey has been translated into Korean, Simplified Chinese and Farsi.
A program of community forums and pop-up sessions will be held across the Shire. The community forums will be small, focus-group style events that feature a presentation about the Social Plan and a discussion about what you feel are important social issues. To register for one of the forums below, visit
Wednesday 6 March
12pm-2pm, Galston Community Centre
Tuesday 12 March
9.30am-11.30am, Cherrybrook Community and Cultural Centre
12pm-2pm, Pennant Hills Community Centre
6pm-8pm, Brooklyn Community Centre
Further pop-up style events will be held at existing events and activities, ensuring people of all ages and backgrounds are heard. Everyone is encouraged to attend one of the following events for a more informal opportunity to have their say on social issues:
Wednesday 6 March
5.30pm-7pm, Hornsby Library – Room 1
Thursday 14 March
9.30am-11am, Hornsby Markets, Hornsby Mall
3.30pm-5pm, Youth Consultation, Hornsby Library
Friday 15 March
6pm-7.30pm, Food Truck Fridays, Berowra Oval
Engagement to support development of the new Social Plan will continue until 24 March 2024. Following the initial engagement, feedback will be used to inform preparation of a draft Social Plan. The draft Social Plan will then be made available for public comment from late April to late May 2024.
Council will review the feedback received and use this to finalise the Social Plan in June 2024. The final Social Plan will then be adopted by Council and used to support social sustainability initiatives for the Hornsby Shire.
