What issues should be considered in developing a Plan of Management of Old Mans Valley?

OMV should be used to provide much needed space for sporting fields & ovals. If so, there will be an increase in traffic, noise, and light due to sports carnivals, evening training sessions, and weekend matches. But, if there's ANY developement on this site, there's going be some imposition for all neighbours.

As you know, your street is the road access to the quarry pit. It's estimated that there will be tens of thousands of noisy, dirty, big truck movements over at least 10 years to fill the quarry, if that's what council has decided to do.

The imposition to neighbours must be minimised, but Hornsby has a great opportunity with both of these sites. I'd get prepared for it, or move out soon, if I were you.

This is a valuable bit of open space lets not turn it into a car-park; its only 5 mins walk from the station and about five thousand homes.

All of those concerns, and more, need to be addressed. The residents of the shire have been consulted numerous times over the years; passive and active open space for sporting, leisure activities, and events always comes out on top. If by "what the local community actually wants!" you mean the residents of the streets bordering the sites, then I imagine there would be no use of the site whatsoever. The "community" has already made it clear, the site's not being sold off to property developers, it's going to be for recreational use. The community has triumphed. Now let's be constructive and cooperative, and strive to minimise the disruption to all residents living adjacent to the sites.

The bulk of Old Mans Valley is a not a natural landscape it is highly modified and covered in grass and weeds. It is a very large area land close to Hornsby Railway station and town centre. It is within easy walking distance of thousands of units, apartments and houses. Development of this valuable piece of land should not be compromised by animals or a handful of resident living around its perimeter.

The immediate residents moved into the area and built homes because of the bush environment and the peace and quiet associated with it - not to be subjected every weekend and most evenings to screaming children and adults and constant whistle blowing. There are other more suitable venues for sporting fields - less costly and more user friendly.

Frank is right, there shouldn't be another levy. The entire Quarry and Environs site could be self-funding and even make a considerable profit if developed to it's optimum. Hopefully there's enough Section 94 money to see the OMV site developed to fulfil it's intended purpose. (It would be of much more benefit to many more people than our new equestrian centre ever will.)

Peter.f the proposed developments in and around OML would definatly be used by me and my family and will not be able to be funded without a levy.We live in A ward

The development of OMV should be a priority for what ever funds Councils has. The major high rise developments are within walking distance of OMV. i agree it will be used by many more people than the equestrian centre.

i dont think it shold necessarily be self funding. it should be available for every one to walk to and enjoy free of charge.

Due to serious geotechnical problems, this site is totally unsuitable to development of sporting fields and the cost associated is totally ridiculous and a waste of ratepayers money. Minimal expenditure to maintain the unique natural environment giving recreation and pleasure to a very wide number of residents by development as passive recreation.

Mountain biking and over 20 other physical recreational pursuits and sports could be offered within these unique sites. I can think of at least 5 world-class competitive events that could be held in Hornsby annually if the sites were used to their full potential.

OMV is in a very urban setting. The start and finish of the tracks could be in OMV valley but the tracks themselves would be better suited to Berowra Valley Regional Park directly below OMV.

OMV is mostly cleared it could easily be maintained as informal parkland. In this way it would be very flexible and it could be used to host annual events with temporary facilities, temporay car-parking on grass, marshalling areas and spectator areas etc.

It should be a garden-like oasis, but should be for more active recreation than just walks and passive "quiet places". As a bushwalker you know that you need only walk down Quarry Rd to access a track leading to The Fishponds and Blue Gum track, and can be on the Great North Walk in no time at all. Crosslands, Lane Cove River Valley, Bobbin Head, Berowra Valley, Zig Zag Creek and Calicoma, etc, etc. There's a remarkable abundance of quiet bushland places in the Shire. But there are not enough playing fields to support our active sporting community (mainly our youth). OMV, right next to the swim centre, is one of the last level suitable sites, and being so close to the train/bus interchange its easy access would be of benefit to the entire shire.

Bushwalkers already have plenty of areas only they can access within easy range of Hornsby. What is needed for this space is the capacity for multiple use access.

OMV is a large area of land imediately adjacent to Hornsby Town Centre. It is a great area for parkland but not a wild flower garden.

...perhaps but if the fields we have were better maintained and irrigated and drained we might get more use out of them.

OMV is too steep for a lot of fields.

I think the area should be turned into multi use parkland along the lines of what Mt Gambier has done with their crater lakes.

They have mountain bike trails of varying uses (downhill, cross country and just leisurely riding for the family.

There are also grassed picnic areas with barbques, toilets and a kiosk.

Something along the lines of what bobbin head used to be 20 or 30 years ago before the NP wrecked it.

We have a severe lack of FREE park and picnic areas available for residents, sporting fields are fine but are used mostly on weekends by a relatively small minority of the population.

OMV is valuable open space - dont fill it with buildings.

There is a bike shop / cafes and restaurants in the "old side" shops - its only 2 mins walk away!

Change rooms could be built into the side of the new aquatic centre which could spill down into OMV.

Picnic / BBQ areas - yes

Gateway between urban and bushland - yes.

I think this is a great comment. I am trying to imagine 10 years down the track. Also, the trails for bikes near the trail head could be easy graded trails for beginners and families. Like in skiing these are "green circle" trails. This would be very complimentary for the other activities close to the trail head. These trails could then lead to other "loops" that are increasingly more advanced the further you get away from the trail head. The more advanced, then the narrower, less used and therefore less impact and more sensitive to the bushland that is further away from OMV

It appears that HSC used the S94 to build an equestrian center and it appears that in future S94 will be minimal.

I agree with the comment about valuable space being taken up for minority sporting groups. Parking would be available for all if just a passive recreation/BBQ area developed. The huge increase in high density living in Hornsby and the stresses to daily lives this causes, calls out for a quiet recreation area within walking distance.

Agree with your concern regarding the equal allocation by ward and without a demonstrated need. This rings alarm bells that funds are being allocated by council for political reasons rather than to address the community's actual needs and provide value to ratepayers.

However noble and well intentioned the decision to spread the expenditure equally between wards is, the reality is that historically more facilities have been developed in some wards and not others and the existing facilities range in condition from new to woefully inadequate.

Therefore the need going forward should always be unequally spilt between wards because some (newly more…

This was set aside because of "money talking" by small self interested groups. Times have changed and there is a desperate need for a quiet passive recreation area within walking distance of the huge number of high rise developments already in the area plus planned future intense development. Cost would have minimal impact on all residents.

Peter.f I totaly agree with your comment about an Ampi-theatre but this would be best situated at the bottom of the valley an area that will not be available untill the major stabilation works are completed

I definitely agree - no to expensive sporting field development. Disagree to building on open recreation ground

Hit the nail on the head - the earthworks and cost to accommodate a very unsuitable use for a minority vocal group such as sporting fields, is totally unacceptable to residents. This unique natural area is the perfect setting for many, many residents to enjoy the outdoors in a huge variety of active but peaceful ways with a minimal cost. Please don't lose the opportunity to do something for the wider community.