Social sustainability underpins our quality of life. As our community grows and changes, a socially sustainable Hornsby Shire is one where people enjoy a strong sense of personal and community wellbeing.

The development of a Hornsby Shire Social Plan is identified as a key initiative in Council’s 2022/23 Delivery Program & Operational Plan as the development of a specific plan will assist in prioritising resources and programs into the future. It identifies and addresses social issues in Hornsby Shire that may affect the community over the next ten years.

The new plan will become a strategic document that will also identify the key trends affecting everyone across the Shire.

It outlines how Council will make the Shire more inclusive through strengthening communities and helping to build pathways to a more inclusive and connected Shire.

The actions will also inform the Delivery Program, including the Operational Plan in future years.

Take a look at the draft Hornsby Shire Social Plan and let us know what you think by completing the Submission Form below.

What we're hearing

We hit the streets of Hornsby Mall and held a youth pop-up at Hornsby Library in March 2024 to hear your ideas for Hornsby Shire’s Social Plan.

Here’s what some of the people had to say.

A big shout out to all the people who told us what were the pressing social issues or needs for them during the community engagement from Wednesday 24 January to Sunday 24 March 2024.

There were 870 surveys completed and over 260 people attended interviews, community forums and pop-ups.

The results for the community engagement has been used in the preparation of the draft Hornsby Shire Social Plan.

With our diverse communities across Hornsby Shire – from suburban centres to rural and riverside villages – Hornsby Shire is a place that offers unique appeal and character.

Our community is growing and changing. Hornsby Shire’s first people are the Darug and GuriNgai peoples who have intrinsic connections and continuing relationships to Country. The Hornsby Shire community is living longer, we’re more culturally and linguistically diverse than ever, and we’re living in all types of housing.

With your input, We are developing a 10-year Social Plan that aims to identify and address social needs and issues in the Shire. The plan will seek to support social cohesion, encourage community connectedness, resilience and wellbeing. The more insights we gather from our entire community, the more we can make a relevant, beneficial Social Plan for everyone.