21st February 2026. Edition One. In this edition:
President's Report,
Civic Trust AGM, What the Civic Trust did in February 2026,
Lunar New Year, E-Bikes in Beecroft,
Sydney Wildlife Resue Fundraisers, M2 noise issue,
School Crossings, STEP Talk,
Local Justice of the Peace, Civic Trust Facebook page,
Julian Leeser Newsletter, Monica Tudehope Newsletter,
Hornsby Shire Council's News Bulletin,
Parramatta Council's News Bulletin, Recent Development Applications.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Saturday February 21, 4pm Lunar New Year. Boronia Park Epping
Saturday Feb 28 2:30pm STEP Talk on Spiders St Andrews Uniting Church, Turramurra.
Sunday March 1Clean Up Australia Beecroft Village Green.
Thursday March 26, 7pm Civic Trust AGM. Presbyterian Church Hall, Welham St.
Message from the President Dear fellow residents,
This is the Trust’s second eNews for 2026 and there is a lot to report.
Our AGM is on Thursday 24th March with Prof. Alistair Sproul (UNSW)
talking on renewable energy. I strongly encourage you, our readers, to
attend and hopefully also volunteer to be on the Civic Trust's
committee.
It is important that the Trust remains vibrant and engaged with our diverse community.
Since COVID and the use of virtual meetings, many community
organisations have struggled with attendances at public meetings. For
the Trust to be a strong advocate for the community, we need everyone to
be involved. It can be a rewarding experience, helping locals with
issues and liaising with our three levels of government.
Which leads me to acknowledging the contribution that Committee member
Michael McAuley has made over the past 10 years. As with Rod Best who
moved out of the area last year, Michael’s experience and wisdom will be
missed.
I must also acknowledge the Australia Day honour for long standing
Cheltenham resident the late Stuart Pittendrigh AM. Stuart was a man of
high integrity and highly respected throughout the horticultural and landscaping industry.
Stuart was Civic Trust secretary for many years. Stuart was
very proud of his contributions and his long lasting legacy to our
community and in particular to his input on the vegetative landscaping
at Barangaroo.
Stuart also provided advice on the Beecroft gardens and Fagan Park.
For me Stuart will always be remembered in saving the large 120 year old Bunya Pine closest to the rail line.
Bunya Pine at Beecroft Station Stuart
was much respected within the landscaping industry and he was able to
convince Transport NSW (during the Third Rail Track project) that the
tree was stable and should be retained.
We have many quiet achievers in our community and it is important that
we acknowledge their contribution to our society.
Finally, a ‘State Significant Development’ Application has been
lodged with the State Government and not to Hornsby Council, for the
redevelopment of Beecroft Nursing Home. Further details near the end of
the eNews under the heading "Recent Development Applications".
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust AGM You are invited to attend the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust Annual General Meeting. DATE: - THURSDAY 26th March 2026
7.15pm for 7.30pm start at the Beecroft Presbyterian Church Hall, Between Mary and Welham Streets Beecroft
We will at this meeting be presenting items of general
business, seeking a special resolution to update the constitution
and electing our 2026 Committee members.
Our guest speaker on this evening will be Professor Alistair Sproul.
Alistair is the Head of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
His topic - Photovoltaics, Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, will I am sure be of interest to us all.
What the Civic Trust did in February 2026 The
Trust is an organiser for the community to support the annual Clean Up
Australia campaign by signing volunteers to clean up the Beecroft
Village Green on Sunday 1 March 2026. Everyone is welcome and to
volunteer please CLICK HERE
The Trust responded to the recent Arden Anglican School Development
Application by making a detailed submission to Hornsby Council - to
access the submission CLICK HERE
Ross Walker, Trust President and Justin Beckett, Principal of Arden
Anglican School held positive and constructive discussions about the
proposed development. As Arden is a valued part of the community,
the mutual aim of working together is to improve some aspects of the
proposed development and to achieve better outcomes overall for both
Arden and the wider community.
In October 2025, the Trust wrote to Hornsby Council suggesting that a
public meeting be held to address the concerns of residents who had
contacted the Trust about the accuracy and possible consequences of
flood risk zoning by Hornsby Council. As a response is still
awaited, the Trust has again contacted Hornsby Council to follow up on
the issue of flood zoning.
The President, Ross Walker attended a meeting of the Friends of Ahimsa
on 17 February 2026. Ahimsa is the historic home of Marie
Byles in Cheltenham and community volunteers are actively engaged in its
conservation. One of the ‘Friends’, Janet Fairley Cunningham,
recently attended the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards for the Upper
North Shore. Two awards were presented to the Friends of Ahimsa
and to the Ahimsa Bushcare Group respectively. To learn more about
Ahimsa CLICK HERE
A free exhibition documenting the remarkable life of the trail blazing
solicitor, conservationist and adventurer, Marie Byles, titled Marie Byles - Many Lives in One
is currently on display at the National Trust Centre at Upper Fort
Street, Observatory Hill, Millers Point and is open to the public during
business hours - CLICK HERE.
If you are interested in solar panels, clean energy and how to make your
home more energy efficient, make a diary note now to attend a free
presentation by Professor Alistair Sproul, UNSW, on Thursday 26 March
2026 at 7.30pm in the Beecroft Presbyterian Church Hall. Professor
Sproul is a leading researcher and will talk about the latest
developments in the field. The talk will precede the BCCT Annual
General Meeting and, if you wish, please stay for the AGM. If you
want to vote at the AGM or join the BCCT committee, you must be a member
of the BCCT. To join ($20 annual subscription), to become a
member of the Trust in 2026. CLICK HERE
Celebrate Lunar New Year in Boronia Park, Epping. 4 – 9pm on Saturday 21 Feb
Live Entertainment,
Cultural Workshops,
Lunar New Year Creative Kitchen,
Cultural Stage. CLICK HERE for the full program
Dangerous E-Bikes in Beecroft These two young men are lucky to be alive.
At the intersection of Wongala Crescent, Copeland Rd. and Beecroft Rd.
Opposite Beecroft Primary School.
No helmets, disobeying road rules, disobeying traffic lights, riding across the paths of oncoming traffic. CLICK HERE for the full dash-cam footage.
Sydney Wildlife Rescue – Fundraiser of the Year
Cheltenham local Georgia Cameron was recognised as Sydney Wildlife
Rescue’s 2025 Fundraiser of the Year with photographer/musician Michael
Bianchino also receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for his
fundraising efforts. CLICK HERE to read more about Georgia and Michael.
M2RAG February 2026 eNews (By Ray Gerke
Coordinator
M2 Resident Action Group)
After a quiet holiday season we are about to ramp up activities for the M2RAG.
We are planning a member meeting on 5th March 2026 where we will cover the following items:
Why we need strong resident support to get this sort of problem fixed.
Summary of feedback from members who attend in terms of priorities and personal impacts
What is happening on the M2 during the next few years (based on published reports). Will this fix our problem?
How the official noise measurements are used.
What we believe are the problems that are causing much of the noise.
Action planning and timing.
The
formal (but interactive) sessions will be followed by supper where
members will have the opportunity to chat with other members about their
experiences.
School Crossings (By Deirdree Wallwork)
Once upon a time, dear friends, this person named Deirdree walked to
Willoughby Public School accompanied by her best friend, Jan.
We had to cross a busy road, well, what was a busy road then, and there was no pedestrian crossing.
But we were well schooled in the rules of the road. We crossed very
carefully and reached the other side unscathed. Most kids walked to
school then or caught a bus. Jan and I could have caught the bus, it was
one penny, but we preferred the fresh air and each other’s exclusive
company.
Fast forward from the 50s to today. Most children are driven to school;
their only walking is from their parents’ car to the school.
So, rather than the footpaths being crowded, the streets are.
Our state government in their wisdom created a supervisor for those
crossings; one in hi vis, and carrying a pole with the word STOP on it.
For a busy road such as Copeland, this is a necessity as the road is busy with drivers needing to be somewhere 5 minutes ago.
These crossing supervisors are trained and paid and must be there regardless of the weather.
Unfortunately 2026 saw an unwomanned crossing. Tuesday afternoon saw
chaos with parents trying to park, driving into the private car park
that belongs to The Verandah, formerly Beecroft Bowling Club.
Your writer found herself in the middle of this chaos. It reminded her
of the character of mild mannered Goofy who turned into a maniac once
behind the steering wheel.
There was nothing I could do at the time but when I went home I emailed
The Crossing Supervisors section of the Motor Transport Department.
I received a reply next day from Bonita who explained they were short of trained supervisors but she would do what she could.
Lo and behold we have had a supervisor ever since.
And, by the way, the teachers aren’t allowed to supervise the crossing.
So, a big thank you to Bonita and, if you’re thinking of signing up, send an email to Scsnorth@transport.nsw.gov.au
STEP Talk on Spiders Saturday 28th February 2:30 pm St Andrews Uniting Church, corner of Vernon Street and Chisholm Street, Turramurra All welcome, no need to book.CLICK HERE for more information.
Civic Trust Membership Subscriptions If
you have lived in Beecroft Cheltenham for any length of time, you would
have seen many changes. While change is inevitable, the Trust will
continue to be the voice of our local community. Please, join the Trust
so you can vote and let your voice be heard!
It is only because we have the strength of numbers that we are able to influence change. Annual membership for 2026 is only $20 per household.
To join the Trust. CLICK HERE.
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.
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
Dr. Penelope Crossley has also generously offered her services.
Penelope is a practising solicitor and is happy to witness documents pro
bono for 2119 residents. Penelope can be contacted on 0449 232 474.
Civic Trust Facebook page
Every now and then the Trust’s Facebook Page includes interviews with interesting people who live in the area of postcode 2119.
The Facebook page also highlights weekly happenings in the Hornsby Shire
and Parramatta area, with areas of interest for our residents.
Julian Leeser MP. February Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Monica Tudehope MP. February Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Hornsby Shire Council's February News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's February 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.
New Residential Aged Care proposed on Beecroft Road A State Significant Development under the seniors housing SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy).
This project is estimated to cost over $60 million and will require the
demolition of the existing Beecroft Nursing Home at 134 Beecroft Rd,
and the demolition of 132 Beecroft Rd, for a new nursing home to be
built on site. Details are on the Department of Planning website. CLICK HERE for more information.
Objections to Development Applications and other correspondence with council can be viewed 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 send the eNews to many of our residents. 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.
There is an active Civic Trust Facebook group; to view the Facebook CLICK HERE.
The Trust will assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
