Hornsby Shire Council is voluntarily seeking the community's further input on the proposed rezoning of its land in Johnson Road, Galston.

During the previous community consultation in 2023, the community highlighted key themes such as potential loss of open space, support for the proposal, concerns that rezoning was not needed or appropriate, potential impacts and potential loss of flora and fauna as noted in the 2023 Community Engagement Report.

This feedback has directly influenced the Draft Planning Proposal. The Design Principles in the Urban Design Report reflect your input and have guided the indicative site layout for the proposed employment land. This includes maintaining community access to a bushland path through the site with seating areas to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

As part of this additional, voluntary consultation, Council is providing more detailed information about the proposal to rezone land for employment uses.

A Draft Planning Proposal to rezone Council land for employment uses has been prepared, along with the required technical studies that support the proposal (below).

The Draft Planning Proposal seeks to balance the important existing biodiversity on the site, with a sensitive, bespoke design for an employment land precinct that aims in the future to provide opportunities for local business and employment and assist Council’s long term financial sustainability.

In June 2023 Council resolved to prepare a Draft Planning Proposal to rezone an existing depot site and adjoining land in Galston to E4 General Industrial.

The report to Council recommended that, prior to preparation of the Draft Planning Proposal, the community be consulted on this proposal.

The initial voluntary community consultation took place in September/October 2023 and included only the preliminary information that was available at that time.

Comments provided during the initial consultation were reviewed and grouped into themes. The project team analyzed the comments and used them to shape the Draft Planning Proposal. The Council has now opted to present the proposal to the community for further consultation.