22nd August 2019 Edition Two. In this edition: Presidents Message,
Traffic Noise M2,
Spring Walk 15 Sept,
Friends of Ahimsa,
Beecroft House opening,
Street Tree planting South of M2,
Draft Local strategic planning statement,
Councillor Emma Heyde's Latest Newsletter,
Latest Police Reports,
STEP Newsletter.
Message from the President I
have recently been corresponding with Dominic Perrottet and his
advisors regarding the status of the former Metro haulage road at the
rear of Cheltenham Oval. The State Government approval required
the temporary access road to be returned to its original condition as
bushland. The Trust is of the opinion the Metro project is
struggling to comply with the State Government’s conditions of
approval. Communications with Hornsby Council indicate a strong
agreement with the Trust’s view. Hopefully, through persistent
lobbying by the Trust and also by the Mayor of Hornsby, our Member for
Epping will provide the assistance we all need to obtain the desired
outcome.
I have always attempted to take an apolitical position on various
matters. It is one of the strengths of the Trust’s
constitution. This position was reflected in the last ENews when
the Trust published a letter from our State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet
addressed to the Mayor of Hornsby Philip Ruddock. Included also
were associated links to Hornsby Council’s website listing previous
correspondence between Council and the State Government pertaining to
local government funding. I believe it is important that we, as a
community, are objectively informed so we can all formulate our own
opinions.
Finally, the Beecroft House opening was a happy occasion, demonstrating
what can be achieved through a variety of organisations working together
with teams of volunteers. A short summary of the opening is
presented below.
Traffic Noise from the M2 – resident feedback sought. The
Trust has been contacted by a Beecroft resident about the noise levels
emanating from the M2 Motorway, in particular during the night. In
order to get an appreciation of the problem the Trust is seeking
comments from the local community. Your opinion and any facts you
can provide will help the Trust to better understand the issue.
Reply to secretary@bcct2119.com.au
Spring Walk – Sunday 15th September 2pm to 4pm The annual Spring Walk will be held on 15th
September commencing at the end of Day Road, next to Ahimsa. The
walk will be past the geological feature called Whale Rock, over the
Lane Cove River and finally around the STEP loop track located below
South Turramurra. It’s a medium grade walk that can be shortened
for those struggling as we will be returning the way we came.
There will be the regular history talk from the local History Group to
add some drama and intrigue. Decent walking shoes are recommended
and if there has been rain expect some shallow fording of Devlins Creek
and the Lane Cove River. Afternoon tea will be provided at the end
at Ahimsa itself, the property that Marie Byles bequeathed to the
National Trust. All welcome.
Friends of Ahimsa and CMP The
Friends of Ahimsa has been formed to assist in the future management of
the National Trust property, located at the end of Day Road
Cheltenham. The Friends met with National Trust personnel early
this month to discuss the structure of the committee. Ahimsa has a
State Heritage listing so any changes or maintenance work should be
governed by an approved Conservation Management Plan (CMP). The
Friends assisted the National Trust in obtaining a $20,000 heritage
grant from the NSW Government earlier this year to prepare such a
plan. In essence the Friends’ main role will be promoting the
property to the community at large.
Beecroft House opening The Women’s Shelter held an official opening on Friday 9th
September at the former Twilight House aged care facility at the corner
of York and Hannah Street Beecroft. The complex’s name has been changed
to Beecroft House. The former aged care complex has been closed for
about three years while the owners Twilight House design a new centre
for aged care and independent living. Until Twilight House obtains
approval to rebuild, the Women’s Shelter organisation will use the
former buildings to provide affordable housing for about 20 senior aged
women. The Women’s Shelter relies on community support as well as
donations. A number of commercial companies have contributed, including
Reece Plumbing, Gerry Norman, Bunnings and Four Seasons Hotels. It is
important that the women are not excluded from the local community but
encouraged to participate. Beecroft House should be
receiving their first occupants in early September.
Link Housing will shortly start promoting Beecroft House through their real estate outlets. CLICK HERE for Sallianne McClelland's letter.
Street Tree Plantings in Beecroft south of the M2 While
Hornsby Council has been busy planting 25,000 trees and shrubs,
Parramatta City Council has also been busy planting as well. There
are new trees near the Orchard Road shops and in the Lynbrae Avenue
public reserve. We should all be supporting tree planting so we
can leave our suburb in a better condition for future generations.
However, with the dry weather we are currently experiencing, regular
watering will be essential for these trees to become established.
Draft Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement Hornsby
Council resolved to place on public exhibition a Draft Local Strategic
Planning Statement, a document that will guide Council over the next 20
years. The statement has four themes, liveable (housing),
sustainable (environment), productive(business) and collaborative
(community). The draft statement can be viewed at CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE
The Trust will be making a submission, but we will also be discussing
the statement with relevant Council staff as well, in order to achieve a
better understanding of their thinking. This will assist the
Trust in providing a more relevant submission.
The Trust encourages all residents to read the statement (it is lengthy)
and make a submission to Council on matters that are relevant to you.
Also included in the strategy is the separate Heritage Action Plan. This
is important for Beecroft and Cheltenham residents. While some
residents may be uncomfortable with additional controls over their
property, these controls do benefit the community overall, often
restricting inappropriate development within the suburb. CLICK HERE to access the Draft Heritage Action Plan.
Councillor Emma Heyde's Latest Newsletter - August 3rd CLICK HERE The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives.
Latest Police Reports CLICK HERE for
the latest reports. Just a reminder that these reports are
regularly provided by the Ryde Police Area Command which includes the
entire suburbs of Beecroft & Cheltenham.
Annual Memberships for 2019 became due at the
Annual General Meeting in March... CLICK HERE
Keep our two suburbs strong and informed by being a member!
To support or join the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust, please visit our website. CLICK HERE.The
eNews has become our main method for disseminating information to the
community. Currently we have over 1040 email addresses, up from 900 two
months ago. We encourage residents who receive the eNews to tell
their neighbours and friends. The eNews letter is available to all
who subscribe. Trust Membership is not a requirement.
The eNews archives are available HERE. To subscribe to the eNews: CLICK HERE.The Trust has always had an unwritten policy to assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
