18thJune 2019 Edition Two. In this edition:
Presidents Message,
Byles Creek Vallley,
Re-vegetation of the former Metro Haulage Rd,
Trust Autumn Walk 23rd June,
History Group Book Launch,
Opening Day, Sporting facilities,
Police Reports,
STEP Newsletter.
Message from the President I attended Hornsby Council’s general meeting on Wednesday night 12th
June when our Councillors approved the funding of various environmental
studies that will form the basis for any rezoning of residential land
to open space in the Byles Creek Valley. Based on the support of our
local residents over the past six years, the Trust has been liaising
with Council on the progress of this lengthy saga. To refresh your
memories I have provided a summary of the Byles Creek open space saga
below.
This has been a long process but Council’s approval to carry out the
rezoning studies is perhaps timely. At the Trust’s recent ‘Meet the
Candidates’ evening, Dominic Perrottet, our recently elected State
Member for Epping and State Treasurer recognised the environmental
significance of Byles Creek by announcing that State funding is now
available for the acquisition of any land identified for open space
through the thorough studies.
Byles Creek Valley Open Space Saga The
next stage of the ongoing campaign by the residents of Beecroft and
Cheltenham in seeking more public open space in the Byles Creek Valley
was passed by Hornsby Council at its general meeting on Wednesday night
12th June. CLICK HERE for the minutes:
The recommendation under item 6 on the agenda (CLICK HERE:)
recommended that up to $70,000 of the restricted Council-managed funds,
proceeds from the sale of the former Congregational Church at 179
Beecroft Rd. Cheltenham, should be used to fund the various
environmental studies required to support any rezoning of additional
land for open space.
The initial resident campaign to seek the protection of bushland in the
Byles Creek Valley was triggered by the recent Development Applications
submitted to Council in the valley over the past six years. Up until
then there were a number of vacant bushland lots located in the valley.
These lots were zoned residential about 20 years ago when pressure on
urban bushland was not as severe as it is today. The recent housing boom
contributed to the owners of these vacant lots submitting development
proposals to Hornsby Council.
The recent changes to NSW legislation requires any new development in
bushfire prone areas to create extensive vegetation clearings around
each dwelling in perpetuity. This clearing requirement has resulted in
extensive loss of bushland and its subsequent adverse impact on flora
and fauna in the Byles Creek Valley. The severity of the impact of this
legal clearing has been magnified because the development has occurred
in a small area where the bushland corridor is at its narrowest and
therefore most vulnerable.
Hence the need for new studies to assess whether additional land should
be zoned as open space in order to protect and enhance the biodiversity
of the Byles Creek Valley and its related connectivity to the Lane Cove
National Park.
Re-vegetation of the former Metro Haulage Road Last week the Metro project commenced
re-vegetating the former haulage road between Cheltenham Oval and
Kirkham Street. The 7,000 seedlings being planted are all indigenous to
the area and were grown and supplied by Hornsby Council’s nursery staff,
ably assisted by a dedicated team of bushcare volunteers who regularly
assist the staff at the nursery. Fingers crossed the plants will now
survive. The follow up maintenance work, including regular weeding, over
the next 3-5 years will be crucial to the success of the project.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust Annual Autumn Walk – ReminderThis coming Sunday 23rd June 2019 The Trust will be holding its annual ‘autumn’ walk slightly later this year, this coming Sunday 23rd June 2019.
The walk will commence at the new netball court facility at Cheltenham
Oval at 2pm. The positioning of the facilities will be explained
before the walk moves onto the replanting in the former haulage road
that comes in from Kirkham Street. The walk will continue into Chilworth
Reserve before returning to Cheltenham Oval where our traditional
afternoon tea will be provided around 4pm. Toilets will be open at the
netball courts.
The walk will include points of interest that are both historical as
well as recent. There is always so much to learn about our local
bushland, so come along and be surprised.
All welcome. A hat and stout walking shoes are recommended. The walk will proceed regardless of the weather.
The Beecroft Cheltenham History Group Book Launch – ReminderSaturday 29th June 2019. WW1 Letters of James Blackwood: A Beecroft Son at war and at peace. The launch will occur on Saturday 29th June at 11.00am in Beecroft Presbyterian Church, where James Blackwood's name appears on the Honour Roll.
Julian Leeser, the Federal Member for Berowra, Phillip Ruddock, the
Mayor of Hornsby Council, and former Member for Epping Andrew Tink will
be present. Morning tea will be served afterwards.
For catering purposes an RSVP to enquiry@bchg.org.au would be appreciated.
Julian Leeser assisted the Beecroft Cheltenham History Group in obtaining a financial grant for this history project.
Cheltenham Oval Sporting Facilities Official Opening – Reminder Sunday afternoon 30th June 2019 The
various sporting clubs of Beecroft with the support of Hornsby Shire
Council and Beecroft Rotary will hold a special ‘Back to Beecroft’
morning and afternoon carnival to officially open the new recreational
facilities at Cheltenham Oval. Everyone is invited.
There will be various sporting games in the morning with a jumping
castle and face painting for the younger children. Food will be
available throughout the day. An official opening is planned for 12.40
pm. Further details of events will be promoted through the various
sporting websites including Beecroft Soccer, Beecroft Netball and
Beecroft Cricket.
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.
Latest STEP Newsletter The
South Turramurra Environmental Society (STEP) publishes a regular
newsletter. The Society has been operating for many years and has a
reputation of being very professional in its operation. CLICK HERE
to access their latest newsletter. If you are interested in
subscribing, there is a link at the end of the newsletter. New members
are always welcome.
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.
