11th October 2025. Edition One. In this edition:
President's Report,
What the Civic Trust did in September 2025,
Update on the M2 Noise Issue,
The Civic Trust Recognised for its 60 Years of Service,
The Aussie Bird Count is back for 2025,
Construction at the Corner of Chapman and Cardinal Avenues,
Cheltenham Recreation Club,
Significant Earthworks on Pennant Hills Golf Course, Beecroft,
Civic Trust Membership Subscription,
Construction at Wongala Crescent,
Local Justice of the Peace, Civic Trust Facebook page,
Jullian Leeser MP October Newsletter, Recent Development Applications.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday October 19 10AM to 5PM Cheltenham Recreation Club - Open Day
Message from the President Dear fellow residents,
Welcome to another interesting eNews. The committee has now gone a step
further with the creation of a M2 resident action group attachment on
our website headed up by Ray Gerke. Details are below.
Congratulations to our committee member Carol Liston AO for being
appointed to Hornsby Council’s Heritage Committee, in a way replacing
our past president Rod Best.
Many of you will be interested in the Marie Byles exhibition at the
National Trust Centre, Upper Fort St Millers Point. I’m involved with
the ‘Friends’ of Ahimsa and also do bushcare on the National Trust
property in Ahimsa as a ‘Friend’ I found the display very informative.
On a sad note, former Trust President, Jim Vandore, recently passed
away. Also, former Trust secretary, Ross Johnson, has decided to leave
Beecroft after 50 years. I wish Ross and Pat all the best.
Established the M2@ Resident Action Group with a dedicated website, email address and flyer to inform local residents affected by noise from the M2.
Nominated our committee member, Dr Carol Listen AO, a distinguished historian, to serve on the Hornsby Council Heritage Advisory Committee for the term of the council.
Participated in Beecroft in Bloom with a BCCT stall to inform interested residents about the Trust.
Received
a certificate of acknowledgement at a Hornsby Council Community
Reception to celebrate recent anniversaries of local organisations and
their valued contributions to their communities.
Queried
the regulatory compliance of an illuminated Tobacconist sign erected in
Hannah Street. Following the Trust's queries and with the help of
Councillor Verity Greenwood, the sign was replaced with a
non-illuminated compliant sign.
Notified
Hornsby Council regarding tree protection measures required in the DA
for a property in Chapman Avenue Beecroft. Tree protection
measures have now been installed.
Notified
Hornsby Councill about the possible impact of significant earthworks
near mature native tress in the Devlins Creek catchment on Pennant Hills
Golf Course.
Provided a submission to Hornsby Council regarding a proposed subdivision in Day Rd Cheltenham.
Update on the M2 Noise Issue (By Ray Gerke
Coordinator
M2 Resident Action Group) What a month we have had in the M2RAG team! The M2RAG is the M2 Resident Action Group
that is offered to residents affected by noise from the M2 in Beecroft
and Cheltenham. The purpose of the M2RAG is to harness
community support to:
Research current noise levels,
Research community impact,
Establish two-way communication channels for progress with problem identification and resolution,
Establish the necessary weight of numbers to influence government decision-makers.
The M2RAG team consists of Gail Crossley, Brian Shirley, Lindy Gerke and Myself. (all members of the BCCT).
We are about to launch a very significant letterbox drop of flyers that
explain the M2RAG and have links to the way you can join the
M2RAG. It is free! Joining simply requires completing
some basic information and once submitted you can go to the HUB which is
where you will access information about the M2 noise and what we are
working on. We will be doing surveys of members periodically and
informing members of progress on a regular basis. If you are
affected by the M2 noise at your house, then you can register at the
following link. https://bcct2119.com.au/M2RAG.htm or follow this QR code.
The Civic Trust Recognised for its 60 Years of Service to the Community.
Certificate presented to the Trust On
Thursday September 18, the Civic Trust Hornsby was invited to a
Community Reception celebrating significant anniversaries of local
groups and organisations across the region. This event was an
opportunity to recognise and honour the valuable contributions of
community organisations.
TheAussie Bird Count is back for 2025
From 20–26 October, tens of thousands of Australians will spend just 20 minutes counting the birds around them ‒ in backyards, balconies, schoolyards and local parks. Last year, over 57,000 people counted more than 4.1 million birds‒ and we’d love you to join the flock to help make this year’s Count our biggest yet.
You don’t need to be a bird expert to join the Count ‒ it’s fun, simple and for everyone! You don’t need to be a bird expert ‒ our free Aussie Bird Count app
will guide you step-by-step. All it takes is a bit of curiosity and 20
minutes. You’ll discover your local birds, connect with nature and feel
great knowing your sightings are contributing to BirdLife Australia’s
work protecting native birds and their habitats. CLICK HERE to register.
Construction at the Corner of Chapman and Cardinal Avenues
Intersection of Cardinal Ave and Chapman Ave. This
corner has been a dangerous intersection for children walking to school
and also for motorists for nearly 12 months. The modifications to
the drainage system is necessary for the subdivision of this lot.
The Civic Trust and Hornsby Council opposed the subdivision as it was
in a natural water course. The developer won approval before
the Land and Environment Court, provided extensive drainage works were
undertaken.
We had the rare opportunity to find construction workers on site this Thursday afternoon and made a few inquiries.
The delays in completing the drainage works were due to Ausgrid's need
to replace the poles and transformers on this corner. The
electricity poles could not be installed on an excavation site, hence
the delays.
The site supervisor was hoping to have the road and drainage work
completed in 3 weeks. The unhappy man claims the delay has cost
them thousands of dollars on fencing hire, not to mention the cost
associated with equipment lying idle for months.
Cheltenham Recreation Club Cheltenham
Recreation Club is holding an Open Day on Sunday 19th October.
Everyone is welcome to see what we offer and meet our friendly members
and discover our plans for the future.
Significant Earthworks on Pennant Hills Golf Course, Beecroft
Picture was taken from Burns Road South The
Civic Trust has become aware of significant earthworks in the Devlins
Creek catchment near the golf course and has written to Hornsby Shire
Council regarding the Trust's concerns about compliance with planning
controls.
Besides the magnitude of the earthworks, there is a major concern about
the impact of the earthworks on the mature native trees, specifically
Blue Gums and Turpentines. The picture shows significant
quantities of fill deposited around these trees.
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.
Construction of the New Residential and Commercial Development at Wongala Crescent Continues.
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 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 items of interest to our residents.
Julian Leeser MP. October Newsletter. The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's October 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.
