15th November 2025. Edition One. In this edition:
President's Report,
What the Civic Trust did in October,
Hannah St Planter boxes, Update on the M2 Noise Issue,
Denny pharmacy, Living in Beecroft,
Marie Byles Exhibition, Mikey the Powerful Owl Book launch,
Plympton Road Shops Toilet Facility, Beecroft Bush Dance,
Civic Trust Membership Subscription,
Local Justice of the Peace, Civic Trust Facebook page,
Monica Tudehope Newsletter, Julian Leeser Newsletters,
Hornsby Shire Council's August News Bulletin,
City of Parramatta News Bulletin, Recent Development Applications.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Saturday December 6 at 2:00 Afternoon Bush Dance. Beecroft Community Centre.
Message from the President Dear fellow residents,
The past couple of months have been busy for the Trust committee.
Hornsby Council's proposed flood mapping generated a lot of interest
from residents. The Trust did make a submission requesting a public
meeting but we are also aware that this policy is coming from the State
Government’s efforts to manage development affected by severe flooding
events across the State.
The M2 RAG (M2 Residents Action Group), recently created to
tackle the M2 noise problem, will be holding a workshop for those
residents affected by the incessant noise from the M2. If you wish
to attend the workshop, join the M2RAG group by CLICKING HERE. I will also be raising the issue at the Epping Civic Trust public meeting this coming Tuesday night.
The latest master-plan for the Cherrybrook Metro precinct is currently
on exhibition and it will have an indirect impact on 2119. Details
below. The latest rezoning now proposes 9,000 homes, increased from the
previous 400 homes, with the height limit increased from 6 to 28
stories. So expect the Cherrybrook Metro precinct to be similar to other
Metro precincts. The Trust will be making a submission.
Finally, when we consider all the recent development in nearby
suburbs, it is worthwhile to reflect how our own leafy environment
and amenities in Beecroft and Cheltenham enrich our lives.
The Trust will continue to serve our community in 2026 but there are
mandatory expenses we incur every year. We need more of our readers to
pay the $20 membership fee and not rely on others who do pay. The
membership section below has the link to join for $20 per
household.
Distributed flyers about the M2 Resident Action Group (M2RAG) to more than 500 local households that are likely to be noise impacted.
Recorded
a video of the noise fluctuations while driving along the section of
the M2 which concerns our affected residents. CLICK HERE to view the video.
Registered
more than 70 residents in the M2RAG and communicated with them about
the issue of road noise via the dedicated M2RAG website and email.
Responded to residents who contacted the Trust with concerns about the accuracy and possible consequences of flood risk zoning by Hornsby Council. CLICK HERE
to view the Trust's response. The Trust has liaised with both
Pennant Hills Civic Trust and Epping Civic Trust to develop a concerted
approach and has written to Council requesting that a public meeting be
held and that the closing date be extended until after that meeting.
The Trust’s nominee, Dr Carol Liston AO, was appointed to serve as an expert member of the Hornsby Council HeritageAdvisory Committee.
The Trust’s submission to the City of Parramatta Community Consultation on the Comprehensive Heritage Review was acknowledged. CLICK HERE to view the correspondence. All feedback will be considered at forthcoming council meetings
Reported
to Hornsby Council a dangerous Bougainvillea vine with eye-level thorns
overhanging a footpath. The vine was promptly pruned back.
Hannah Street Planter Box Watering Team A big shout out and thank you to our diligent and conscientious team of Civic Trust volunteers.
Every Sunday morning at 7.30AM these volunteers carry 2 cans of water to every planter box in the Beecroft Village.
Lindy, Ray, Roslyn and Ross
Update on the M2 Noise Issue
(By Ray Gerke
Coordinator
M2 Resident Action Group) During
our second month of operation the M2RAG team delivered about 500 flyers
to letterboxes of noise affected residents in Beecroft and
Cheltenham. Over 70 residents have now joined the M2RAG. We
have members from Austral Ave., Boronia Ave., Castle Howard Rd., Lyne
Rd., Ferndale Rd., Finlay Ave., Beecroft Rd., Kedron Ave., Lamorna Ave.,
Lynbrae Ave., Lynwood Cl., Marwood Dve., Murray Farm Rd., Oaklands
Ave., Old Beecroft Rd., Orchard Rd., Redgrove Ave., Stewart Cl., and
Welham St.. So the members represent a good geographical coverage
of the noise affected areas of Cheltenham and Beecroft.
The HUB website (for RAG members) is now live with a video filmed from
inside a car driving on the M2 past Beecroft and Cheltenham.
We would love more people to join the M2RAG, so if you are affected by
the M2 noise at your house and have not already registered then you can
register at the following link. https://bcct2119.com.au/M2RAG.htm or follow this QR code.
Cherrybrook Precinct Rezoning Proposal Currently on public exhibition until 5pm Friday 5 December 2025. CLICK HERE to access the proposal
This is the second planning proposal for the overall precinct. It
includes the vacant land around the Metro station but also for the
surrounding residential areas within walking distance of the station.
The first rezoning proposal released about 3 years ago recommended a
maximum height of 6 storeys. This latest proposal is substantially
larger and will be similar to other metro stations like Castle Hill and
Epping with units up to 28 storeys, transitioning down to 3 storeys
around the perimeter. Expect the rezoning to occur gradually over a
generation with close to 10,000 new homes , as the existing detached
housing stock is absorbed into unit complexes.
The proposal will significantly impact on the lifestyle in Cherrybrook
and also have a long term flow on effect on the surrounding suburbs
including Beecroft and Cheltenham. Residents are encouraged
to read the documents on the Planning website and submit comments.
The Civic Trust will be making a submission.
Denny Pharmacy
Much loved by the local community, pharmacist Gary Choy is retiring.
Gary was born and educated in Hong Kong. Gary then went to
Bradford university in the UK and obtained a Bachelors degree in
pharmacology.
Gary has lived in Australia for over 35 years, he is now retiring as the
owner of the Pharmacy but he intends to spend many days in the Pharmacy
employed as a pharmacist.
Living in Beecroft (by Deirdree Wallwork moderator of the Civic Trust's Facebook page) When
I was 8 years old, we were driving up to Empire Bay on the Central
Coast and we stopped at a post office so my grandmother could make a
phone call. The post office was in Beecroft and I fell in love with the
suburb there and then. It took me until 1983 to move here but I made it.
This suburb is full of lovely people who go out of their way to help
others, whether it is individually or as a group. Our daughters and
three of our grandchildren went to Beecroft Public School and it is of a
place nearby that I write today.
Keeping our Children Safe There
are two pedestrian crossings manned, or should I say womanned by two
outstanding individuals - Karen Jones and a newcomer Rashna Daptur.
Karen is renowned for her skills and I was astonished to see Rashna
managing the crossing below BPS in Copeland Road West.in the same
meticulous manner. Yes, she has a dazzling smile but she never takes her
eyes off the children on the crossing or on their way to it.
We are indeed fortunate.
Marie Byles and the law
On exhibition now at the National Trust Centre, Marie Byles – Many Lives in One, charts the remarkable life of the trailblazing solicitor, conservationist and adventurer. CLICK HERE for more information.
Book launch 'The Secret Life of Powerful Owls'
Georgia Cameron and Michael Bianchino have collaborated on and published a new book featuring Mikey the Powerful Owl. CLICK HERE for more information.
Plympton Road Shops Toilet Facility Parramatta Council is planning to build public toilets at the Plympton Road shops. CLICK HERE to view the complete plans.
Beecroft Bush Dance
The Bush Music Club (BMC) was formed in 1954 to collect and promote
Australian folk music, songs, and dance. We are Australia’s oldest
continuously operating folk club. The musicians are all members of the
BMC and take pleasure in playing for an audience and for the dancers. It
is all voluntary and the musicians are not paid. Readers of this
newsletter are welcome to come along to this dance. It is not required
that you know these dances as all dances are taught on the day and
called during the actual dance so that beginners can easily become
involved. It is all about having fun and doing something different,
either as dancers or audience members. Listen to live Australian
folk music being played.
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!
To join the trust.CLICK HERE.
Or if paying by EFT:
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust
BSB: 062 113
Account Number: 1006 8238
For our membership records, please email a copy of your payment receipt to membership@bcct2119.com.au
with your full name and address.
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.
The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Julian Leeser MP. November 1st Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Julian Leeser MP. November 2nd Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Hornsby Shire Council's November News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's November 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.
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.
