20th December 2022. Edition One. In this edition:
President's Report, BCCT eNews,
BCCT Survey,
Penrhyn Ave Beecroft,
Green isn't Always Good,
Tree Pruning or Removal Tool.
Your Civic Trust,
HSC Inviting comments,
Local JP,
Hornsby Council Newsletter, City of Parramatta News Bulletin,
Recent Development Applications,
Latest Police Reports.
Message from the President Nothing
tells me so much about the end of a year than attending the prize
giving ceremony at Beecroft Public School. The retiring captains each
spoke with poise, maturity, charm and wit. To think that they had just
finished Year 6! To see some of the prize winners stop on their
way off the stage to thank the school principal for what she had done
was heart-warming.
After a year that was at best chaotic, this experience left me with a sense of optimism for the future.
I was presenting some of the awards (in music) not because my wife had
been in the BPS recorder band (well over half a century ago) playing a
new composition by the acclaimed Beecroft composer, Nigel Butterley, but
because it has been the tradition of the Civic Trust over many years to
make a financial contribution towards the annual awards day.
Apart from feeling so cheered, the Civic Trust has made submissions on
proposals for the retail centre of Beecroft, the Village Green
masterplan and on a number of individual development applications.
You will find our submissions on the Civic Trust web site CLICK HERE.
After comments received from those living near the new cycleway we wrote
to Council and received a very prompt and detailed response.CLICK HERE
On Thursday October 13th Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust,
together with Pennant Hills Civic Trust and Westleigh Progress
Association, held an information session on Council’s proposed special
rate proposal.
Despite all of this work I do need to be realistic and note that only a
small number of our submissions are successful in full. A much larger
percentage are adopted in part or lead to changes in the proposals. We
celebrate all of these.
It is sometimes suggested, usually on Facebook and also sometimes when I
am approached in Beecroft on a Saturday morning, that the Civic Trust
pushes its own agenda and that agenda is formed by an elite clique whose
views may not accurately reflect those of the wider community.
My response to this is that the Civic Trust:
Holds
public meetings to make information available on matters that are of
interest to local residents – like the one recently held on Council
expenditure and proposed special rate increases.
Puts a survey in the e-news (as we are doing once again in this issue) seeking readers views.
Provides opportunities for residents to be elected to the committee of the Civic Trust so as to have a direct voice.
Speaks to residents who are neighbours affected by proposed developments or council activity.
Links
with village activities and participates when invited to speak at local
events like Rotary functions to launch a Beecroft Gin or events at
local schools.
To
my mind, this seems a very busy approach to seeking out a variety of
views. It gives residents a range of different avenues whereby the Civic
Trust can be informed of residents views. We know that none of
these allows us to say with any degree of assurance that, say, Y% of
2119 residents think X, but what they provide in aggregate is a ‘vibe’
of what people are thinking and a guide as to what submissions by the
Civic Trust should say. I don’t know of any other Beecroft group who are
better at canvassing residents views and conveying them to the
decision-makers.
If readers can think of other feasible ways, within our limited people
power and financial resources to achieve more effective results, then,
please let me know in 2023.
Furthermore
we urge our readers to please respond to our on-line surveys. It
is one of the most effective tools the Trust has to assess and address
the concerns of our precious community.
For our voice to be as strong as possible, for our income to support
community activities like school awards days, for us to be even more
active in the community then the very best thing readers can do is to
become members of the Civic Trust.
I think that this level of community involvement gives me almost as much optimism as listening to our students!
To everyone I wish the compliments of the Season and a safe and holy family time.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust eNews. The
Trust publishes this monthly eNews newsletter. If you would like
to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please CLICK HERE to subscribe to the eNews.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust Survey. There
is at present considerable discussion on Social Media and elsewhere
about the future of the Beecroft Village. To help the Trust
committee better represent community views, Please respond to the survey
below.
Do
you think that the idea to restrict traffic in Hannah Street between
the entry to Beecroft Place carpark and Wongala is, in principle, a
worthy cause to pursue?
Do
you think that the idea to increase pedestrian safety and space to move
in the Beecroft retail area is, in principle, something that should be
done?
Survey Results from the last Civic Trust Survey Management plan for the Village Green: The question put was; Do
you consider that this management plan should concentrate upon
improving the amenity of this space in the same way as the enhancements
to the Railway Reserve significantly increased the number of residents
using that space? 8% of our readers responded to the survey 86.9% of the respondents voted YES. 13.7% voted NO.
Clean Up Australia 2023 The
Civic Trust has once again registered the Beecroft Village Green as a
community site for the 2023 Clean Up Australia campaign. Put in
your diary Sunday 5th March, from 9am to 12 Noon.
A case study on the influence of the community on a proposed seniors development at Penrhyn Ave. Beecroft. Readers
may be heartened to know that local community involvement in
development applications (DA) in their area is alive and well. The Trust
was approached 12 months ago by surrounding local residents to fight a
proposed 33 unit senior development in Beecroft. The Trust briefed the
residents on how the Development Approval process worked and how they
should prepare their objections to the DA. The Trust lodged an objection
too. Because over ten independent objections were received the DA went
before the independent Local Planning Panel (LPP) for
determination. Recently the LPP resolved to defer (and not
approve) the planning officer’s recommendation for approval,
subject to certain matters raised by the residents being addressed.
While the local residents do not support a large seniors housing
development nearby they are also realistic about the likely inevitable
outcome. While it was considered a temporary victory and it will enable
the residents, and the Trust, to make new objections when the expected
amended plans are advertised in the new year. The deferment by the
LPP also highlighted the value of an independent determining body, with
the Panel able to apply additional pressure on the applicant to produce
a better outcome.
So local residents can make a difference and achieve better outcomes for
our community. It’s a matter of seeking advice from organisations like
the Trust but more importantly communicating with your neighbours and
tapping into your own local pool of professional knowledge.
CLICK HERE for details of the subject development, CLICK HERE for item 3 in the LPP agenda with Council’s report and recommendation, and CLICK HERE for the Panel’s deferment with their comments.
Tree Prune or Removal Decision Tool Before you remove or prune trees, or hire a contractor to perform these tasks, familiarise yourself with the Tree Prune or Removal Decision Tool article available on the Hornsby Council web site. CLICK HERE
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust. The Trust has for many years fought and lobbied to protect our suburbs.
If you value your Trust and appreciate the work the Trust does to
preserve the amenity and heritage of our two suburbs, please consider
renewing your financial membership.
This can be done on-line at https://bcct2119.com.au/membership.htm Without your valued support, the Trust will cease to exist.
Hornsby Council is inviting comments on a number of issues. CLICK HERE to have your say.
Local Justice of the Peace Timothy
Abrams a Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust committee member, has
generously offered his services as a Justice of the Peace for any
residents requiring this service.
Tim can be contacted on Mob 0417 662 405
Hornsby Shire Council's December News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's December News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
Recent Development Applications The
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust's Web Site now has links to recently
submitted Development Applications in the 2119 postcode area for both
Hornsby and Parramatta Shire Councils. This page will be updated
with every eNews publication. CLICK HERE To access them.
Latest Police Reports CLICK HEREfor
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 2022 became due 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. We already cover much of our o suburbs. We encourage
residents who receive the eNews to tell their neighbours and friends and
suggest they too subscribe. 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 sought to assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
