“Footpaths are not shiny and sexy”: Hornsby Shire Council proposes to double budget for footpath construction

Despite their evident lack of sexiness, the construction of new footpaths will be prioritised in Hornsby, with council looking to tackle a vast backlog of locations lacking adequate infrastructure.

Huw Bradshaw
June 16, 2025

Hornsby Shire Council has moved to consider doubling its annual budget for footpath construction, from $500,000 to one million dollars per annum.

The decision comes in light of a large footpath infrastructure backlog in the area and increasing costs of construction.

Councillor Nathan Tilbury, who put forward the motion, said the costs “have gone up three times” while the budget remained the same.

“We're delivering one third of what we used to deliver,” said Tilbury.

Tilbury has previously stated that while there is a backlog of more than 300 locations in the LGA requiring a footpath, the current budget only allows 6-7 projects to be delivered annually.

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A member of the public — Edwina Hinchliffe of Thornleigh — spoke to the motion, criticising council inaction on Cavendish street, which she stated was earmarked in 2011 for a footpath.

“The work was meant to be completed in 2019 and 2020, but it never happened,” she claimed.

“Pedestrians are still having to walk on the road, day and night, including young school children like mine … given the dangerous conditions, I’d like to request that council urgently addresses and prioritises the lack of footpath infrastructure along either side of Cavendish Street”

Cavendish Street, Thornleigh

Councillor Tilbury said that while Cavendish Street is currently scheduled for a footpath upgrade in the 2028-29 budget, he would like to see it prioritised: “It’s a little bit far away, but the intention is to bring that forward.”

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Tilbury also provided images of areas in which infrastructure was most needed in the LGA.

"Footpaths are not shiny and sexy", Tilbury said.

“Sometimes you have to go out and get your feet dirty and have a look at these things”.

These images included locations where footpaths missed links connecting one to another, streets hosting busy bus routes which lacked any footpaths at all, and “desire lines” in which foot traffic was evident but infrastructure lacking.

Article amended to accurately reflect decision of Council.

Images supplied by Councillor Nathan Tilbury