Hornsby Heights, New South Wales

Hornsby Heights is a suburb of Northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hornsby Heights is located 20 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. The suburb is often referred to as part of the Upper North Shore.

Hornsby Heights
Sydney, New South Wales
Hornsby Heights viewed from Rofe Park
Population6,305 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density612.1/km2 (1,585/sq mi)
Postcode(s)2077[2]
Area10.3 km2 (4.0 sq mi)
Location20 km (12 mi) from Sydney CBD
LGA(s)Hornsby Shire
State electorate(s)Hornsby
Federal Division(s)Berowra
Suburbs around Hornsby Heights:
Galston Berrilee Mount Ku-ring-gai
Galston Hornsby Heights Mount Colah
Dural Hornsby Asquith

Hornsby Heights lies predominately on the high narrow ridges of the Hornsby Plateau above the eastern side of Galston Gorge and the Berowra Valley National Park which makes up the suburb's rugged and beautiful northern, western and much of its eastern boundaries. On the southern and southeastern side of the suburb, the boundaries meet with Hornsby and to a lesser extent, Asquith. The road entry to Hornsby Heights can only be made via Galston Rd through Hornsby from the south or from the north-west via Galston Gorge.

The main characteristics of the area are its leafy bushland setting and the many short avenues leading to quiet cul de sacs branching off the 2 main roads, Galston and Sommerville Rds. The steepness of some of its streets are also a feature, as many have been cut into the surrounding valleys to maximise the available land close to the ridge edges.

Bird and animal life abound in the suburb, with many species being regular visitors to resident's homes. Kangaroos, wallabies, common ringtail possums and echidnas abound in the mammalian world, while rainbow lorikeets, noisy miners and sulphur-crested cockatoos are some of the most common birds.

The flora is rich and typical of the Australian native bushland in the Hornsby area. As with any bushland suburb, the area is subject to bushfire risk during summer so it has its own Rural Fire Service Brigade located on Galston Road.

History

The name Hornsby is derived from Convict-turned-Constable Samuel Henry Horne, who took part in the apprehension of bushrangers Dalton and MacNamara on 22 June 1830. In return he was granted land which he named Hornsby Place.

Population

At the 2016 census, there were 6,305 residents in Hornsby Heights. The most common ancestries were English 28.3%, Australian 23.5%, Irish 8.5%, Scottish 7.6% and Chinese 4.7%. 69.9% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 6.4%, China 2.7%, India 1.9% and New Zealand 1.6%. 80.7% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin at 3.1%, The most common responses for religion were No Religion 31.1%, Catholic 22.3% and Anglican 18.3%.[1]

The median weekly household income was high at $2,273. Most dwellings were separate houses and these tended to be large, with 56.4% having 4 or more bedrooms. Home ownership was popular, with 38.3% of people owning their home outright and 51.4% paying off a mortgage. The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,500 and this was higher than the national figure of $1,755.[1]

Parks

Hornsby Heights is dominated by parks. The suburb is encircled by the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Parks within Hornsby Heights are Rofe Park and Montview Oval. Rofe Park is located on Galston Road and has a leash-free dog area. Crosslands Reserve, a camping and picnic area is at the northern end of Hornsby Heights. Hornsby Heights also contains small parks such as Ulolo, off Galston Road, and Leonora Close Park, off Sommerville Road. Many of these can be found around various quiet streets.

The Galston Gorge to Crosslands section of the Great North Walk runs along the western boundary of Hornsby Heights.

Rofe Park, being used as a helicopter base during a bushfire

Transport

At the 2016 Census, 23.7% of employed people travelled to work on public transport and 66.2% by car (either as driver or as passenger).[1]

Buses

Hornsby Heights is serviced by bus route number 596, operated by Transdev NSW. The bus runs in a loop from Hornsby railway station. The loop takes in Galston Road, Somerville Road and the area around Montview Oval (Montview Parade and McKay Road). On a weekday the buses run between the approximate hours of 6 am and 10 pm. A reduced service operates on weekends and public holidays.

Cycling

A cycling lane exists along both sides of Galston Road, between Hookhams Corner (the intersection of Galston Rd and Peats Ferry Rd) and the descent into Galston Gorge.[3]

Schools

Schools in Hornsby Heights include Hornsby Heights Public School[4] and Hornsby North Public School.[5] Hornsby North Public School sits on the boundary between Hornsby and Hornsby Heights.[6] Hornsby Heights Public School celebrated its 50th birthday in 2011.

Churches

Saint Luke's Anglican Church is located at 155 Galston Road.[7][8]

Hornsby Heights lies within the Ku-ring-gai Chase Catholic parish.[9]

Hornsby Heights Baptist Church is at 110A Galston Road, next to the shopping centre.[10]

Culture

Clubs
  • Hornsby Heights Sports Club[11]
  • 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group[12]
  • St Luke's Railway Modellers Club[13]

Community groups

The NSW Rural Fire Service's Hornsby & Hornsby Heights Brigades are located at 143 Galston Road in Hornsby Heights.[14]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Hornsby Heights (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  2. Postcode search Archived 3 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Results for Hornsby Heights, Australia Post (accessed 19 June 2006)
  3. "Open Street Map". Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. Hornsby Heights Public School's website
  5. Hornsby North Public School's website
  7. Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney: Proposal to Change the Provisional Parish of Hornsby Heights to a Parish Archived 25 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  8. SydneyAnglicans.net: Parish Contact List
  9. Ku-ring-gai Chase Catholic Parish website Archived 13 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT Location Directory Archived 19 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine from Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT
  11. Hornsby Heights Sports Club's website
  12. 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group's website
  13. Australian Model Railway Association Incorporated club listing
  14. Kur-ing-gai Council information on bushfires Archived 4 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine

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