Hornsby Shire is the largest local economy in Northern Sydney. The Shire’s economy contributes about $7 billion (25%) to the Gross Regional Product (GRP) of Northern Sydney. (38% for the Sydney Metropolitan area) The economy has significantly changed over the last 10 years from predominantly retail and wholesale based to property/business support, health and community services, education and finance/insurance. The most significant growth has been in property and business support which grew 20% between 1991 & 2001. Another key feature of the economy has been the growth in home-based businesses. Hornsby Shire is home to over 10,000 businesses which provide over 40,000 jobs. Most of the businesses are concentrated in, or in close proximity of, it’s key economic activity centres: Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Carlingford, Epping, Thornleigh, Cherrybrook and Dural. Hornsby Town Centre is targeted as a major growth centre under the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy. Epping is also expected to experience growth as a result of the Chatswood to Epping rail link and is in close proximity to Macquarie University and business park. Property, business support services, finance and insurance have been the key growth sectors of the economy accounting for almost 25% of the economy. Retail and wholesale trade accounts for about 13% of the economy and sre spread among the Shire’s 37 retail and commercial centres. Hornsby Carlingford, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, Epping and Cherrybrook are the principal retail centres The almost 200 hectares of industrial land supports 6,000 (20%) of Hornsby Shire’s jobs. The major industrial precincts are Mt Kuring-gai, Asquith, Waitara and Thornleigh. Hornsby Shire also experienced significant growth in residential development between 1995 and 2005. (source: Hornsby Shire Council Strategy Division © 2006) Download                 Download       GOTO: Hornsby Shire Council             Strategy Pack           Strategy Plan     Business Information Services Mayor's Invitation As Hornsby Shire Mayor it gives me great pleasure to share with you a little about our Shire and the investment opportunities that exist in our region. Hornsby Shire is the second largest Local Government Area (LGA) in the Sydney region. Located on the Upper North Shore, it takes in land from Epping to Wismans Ferry and Brooklyn, and has a population of more than 150,000. Hornsby Council is committed to building an even stronger future for the Shire and its residents. We aim to do this by creating more employment opportunities and attracting businesses to the area. As the northern gateway to Sydney, Hornsby is ideally placed to provide additional investment growth opportunities in the Sydney region. Conveniently located to the F# freeway, Hornsby is also on the train line, giving employers access to a labour force from across Sydne6y as well as the local population. Hornsby Shire is a great place to work and live. It features diverse areas reflecting urban, rural, bushland and river settings. Hornsby Shire Council has the special responsibility to conserve the unique character of the Bushland Shire while meeting the needs of the residents today and in the years to come Regardless of the size of your business, Hornsby Council wants to make the Shire your investment opportunity of choice. Nick Berman Mayor Hornsby Shire Council The Ecomomic Vision Hornsby Shire Council is developing an Economic Development Strategy (EDS) to provide the framework for attracting new, and retain growth in investment, business and employment opportunities in Hornsby Shire. In developing the EDS, Hornsby Shire Council has a vision for the Shire’s economy characterized by, inter alia: Sustainable investment choices with a diverse range of existing and new businesses generating increased growth and wealth for residents of the Shire An economy that complements and enhances the particular environment features of Hornsby Shire A greater and stronger business mix building on strength of the property and business support services and insurance and the new and emerging economies of research, innovation, information technology, hospitality and recreation. A growing home-based business sector An expanding range of retail, commercial and industrial services fro the residents and businesses resulting in more local employment. (source: Hornsby Shire Council Strategy Division © 2006) Excellent Investment Opportunity Many factors make Hornsby Shire an excellent investment opportunity Hornsby Shire has one of the strongest regional economies in the Sydney Metropolitan Area worth $7 billion annually and is the location of regional and national offices of a number of multinational enterprises such as Wrigleys, Unilever and McDonalds. A wide range (37) of commercial and retail centres and almost 200 hectares of industrial land which offer competitive purchase and lease prices as well as choice of location and investment opportunities. Hornsby Shire is served by great road and rail networks which place it in easy access of markets and clients within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, The Central Coast and the Hunter Valley A high quality living environment, a wide range of housing opportunities and excellent provision of social, community and recreational facilities to meet most employer and employee needs. Highly skilled/professional local labourforce, as well as access to regional workforce on the Central Coast and in Western Sydney. Hornsby Shire also has ready access to existing and emerging business parks (Macquarie, Norwest), as well as leading secondary and tertiary education institutions both within, and in close proximity to, Hornsby Shire. Hornsby Council is committed to supporting existing business and welcomes new residents and investment (source: Hornsby Shire Council Strategy Division © 2006) Download Strategy Plan 2007/2011 Economic Breakfast Briefing 22 November 2006 Over 80 Hornsby Shire business owners attended the Economic Development Strategy Launch hosted by Hornsby Shire Council. 2 years in the making, this important document is the blueprint for economic growth and sustainability for the Shire over the next 4 years. Mayor Nick Berman (pictured inset left), highlighted the importance and the commitment Hornsby Council has to building an even stronger future for the shire and its residents. "We aim to do this by creating more employment opportunities and attracting businesses to the area.", he said. Executive Planner – Strategy, Mr Daniel Couma-Machio (pictured inset right), briefly outlined the challengers, economic vision and strategic actions contained within the management plan Download Strategy Pack Order FREE DVD PLANNEX - Showcasing Hornsby 27 March 2006. Hornsby Chamber of Commerce’s DVD; Hornsby – Open for Business, featured on the Hornsby Shire Council trade Stand at the Property Council of Australia economic Expo: PLANNEX. Running on a loop our DVD attracted over 300 high profile corporate business CEO's and executive managers to the Hornsby Council stand. Plannex united investors and local government to gain all the information needed to facilitate a relationship building environment and get deals done more efficiently. Hornsby Shire Council, Executive Manager of Strategy, Mr Gordon Truman said, “After the morning seminar session a steady flow delegates visited our stand. Great interest was shown in how Hornsby CBD and the Shire had developed and the commercial potential it has to the high end of corporate businesses.”