18th October 2019 Edition One. In this edition:
Presidents Message,
Traffic Noise M2, Parramatta City Council Planning Harmonisation, Graffiti in Beecroft and Cheltenham, Recent Development Applications,
Draft Local strategic planning statement, Draft Hornsby Waste Matters Strategy, Parramatta Seniors' Concert , Latest Police Reports.
Message from the President I
have had two productive meetings with our State Member for Epping
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet. Dominic lives locally and is very
interested in our local community. Because he is NSW Treasurer, he
has a very demanding schedule, so I appreciate the fact that he has
found time to discuss local issues with me. High on the agenda has been
the possible retention of the ramp facing Wongala Crescent when the two
lifts are constructed at Beecroft station next year. I have stressed
with him the overwhelming support the Trust has received from the
community for the ramp to somehow be retained. It will have to be
steeper than the existing ramp but it is still considered to be more
convenient than steps. He will discuss the ramp retention with the
Transport Minister Andrew Constance and get back to the Trust. To
view the current Beecroft Station Upgrade Determination Report CLICK HERE.
Other matters discussed with Dominic are mentioned in separate articles
below. The only matter I forgot to ask him was whether he wants to get
the Trust’s eNews directly? While his office receives it. I’ll ask him
next time we meet. Finally, Dominic asked me “what was a good bushwalk
near Beecroft?” Naturally I had an answer; after the Trust’s recent
Spring Walk, I recommended the Lane Cove National Park walk from Day Rd
to Whale Rock. Perfect for children.
I am looking forward to further meetings with Dominic and I believe he feels likewise.
Traffic Noise from the M2 – Update after discussions with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Member for Epping The
Trust has received a couple more comments from residents since the last
eNews. Dominic agreed the best approach is to have an initial meeting
with his staff to work out how to present the comments and to whom in
order to get action. The aim of the exercise is to arrange for the
relevant transport agency to carry out further noise tests which we hope
will lead to some form of noise amelioration. It’s still not too late
to comment, even after the Trust meets with Dominic’s staff. Reply
to secretary@bcct2119.com.au
Parramatta City Council Planning Harmonisation - update Parramatta City Council is going through a rezoning process, similar to Hornsby Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement.Both Hornsby and Parramatta Councils are required to update their planning controls.
Parramatta Council’s process is slightly different to Hornsby’s process
and involves amalgamating the various planning schemes currently in
force covering suburbs that were part of other councils before the local
government amalgamation process. Beecroft, south of the M2 will get a
new planning scheme to replace the obsolete Hornsby scheme, There will
be minor changes to the planning controls, so Parramatta’s planning
scheme has a level of consistency across the whole area. Note though,
the Parramattarezoning process is still in its early stages and will involve further community involvement with public exhibitions. CLICK HERE to view the email the Trust received from Parramatta Council.
Graffiti in Beecroft and Cheltenham The
Trust received an anonymous letter from ‘concerned residents’ regarding
graffiti on a visually prominent brick wall located on the street
frontage. The brick wall is privately owned and belongs to the owner of
the property. The concerned residents have already approached Hornsby
Council, who agreed to approach the owner and request its removal. As
the graffiti is still on the wall the concerned residents have
approached the Trust for help. Unfortunately the Trust has no authority
to direct the owner to remove the graffiti. All we can do is to
contact Council on behalf of the community.
Graffiti is a constant problem. Public infrastructure, like the railway
line and the pedestrian bridge are constantly targeted, often by
offenders living elsewhere and using the rail network to move around the
metropolitan area. The best solution is usually creating a vegetation
screen in front of walls so the graffiti is not visible. There is
unfortunately no simple solution.
Recent Development Applications The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust's Web
Site now has links to recently submitted Development Applications in the
2119 postcode area. This page will be updated with every eNews
publication. CLICK HERE To access them.
Draft Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement. Too late to comment? The public exhibition of the Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) and Draft Heritage Action Plan both closed on 16th
October. If you still want to make a submission, Council is likely to
accept a late submission. The draft documents can be accessed by https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/council/noticeboard/your-say
Footnote
from Ross Walker. When I met our Member for Epping, Dominic
Perrottet, he was interested in my views of Council’s two draft
documents. Many
of the recommendations in the two documents could potentially benefit
Beecroft and Cheltenham. The current operation of the Beecroft
shopping precinct was discussed, such as opportunities to green the
suburb and separate vehicles from pedestrians. Our whole Shire is
constantly changing due to various pressures,
whether it is increased population or climate change, we do not live in
a static world. The challenge is to make our Shire a better place to
live for our children.
This
seniors development at No 68 Beecroft Road was approved under the State
Government seniors housing legislation and was assessed as being in
character with the surrounding heritage precinct. Compare its setback,
bulk and scale with the Federation dwelling adjoining. This is why the
Trust made a submission to the draft LSPS.
Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust has published a response to the draft statement. CLICK HERE
The Byles Creek Valley Union has also published a response. CLICK HERE
Draft Hornsby Waste Matters Strategy – another draft strategy –
closes 8th November 2019 Hornsby
Council has placed on exhibition their draft Waste Matters Strategy.
This is a very detailed and informative document that the Trust
encourages residents to read and provide feedback to Council. The Trust
will be making a submission, if only to simply commend Council on the
quality of the document. The Strategy recommend a specific option that is both cheaper and more efficient than the current arrangement. CLICK HERE to access the document.
Former Metro Haulage Road behind Cheltenham Oval – current status When
I met with our Member for Epping Dominic Perrottet last week, I
specifically raised with him the current status of the reinstatement of
the bushland along the former haulage road. The former access road
extends from Kirkham Street through to the rear of the netball courts at
Cheltenham Oval. The original approval by the State Government for
the Metro included the reinstatement of the high quality bushland once
the Metro service facility was completed.
After about six months of planting and watering, the regeneration of the
bushland is, to put it mildly, disappointing. Many native plants have
died due to poor soil preparation or over watering. No weeding has
occurred. Construction material is still on site along the M2 Motorway
boundary. The Metro project proposes to hand the uncompleted site over
to Council to manage early next year who have serious concerns with the
quality of the regeneration of the bushland.
The Trust is also concerned about the quality of the work been carried
out and has been, with the full support of the Mayor Philip Ruddock and
the General Manager, in regular communication with Dominic Perrottet’s
office trying to broker a better outcome. Hence my conversation
with Dominic last week. Hopefully Dominic will be able to resolve
the current impasse that Council is currently having with Transport NSW.
Ross Walker.
Hazelwood Rose Park Plympton Rd, Beecroft Hazelwood
Rose Park, like Ray Park, has been the inspiration of the Ray Park
Heritage Group, championed by Dorothy Doolan. Dorothy has been lobbying
Parramatta Council for the installation of public toilets in the park.
The Trust understands there are no public toilets in the area, including
the nearby shopping centre. If you are interested in adding your name
to a petition that is seeking public toilets CLICK HERE. To provide some background, below is an extract from the email Dorothy sent to the Trust.
"My last contact with CoP Council (August, 2019) re amenities in
Hazlewood Rose Park - email from Pino Todarello stated that toilet not
on council budget for next 2 years....also added 'toilets not generally
installed in parks'.
Remember, we had been given a plan 2017 which was to have been installed
as part of the $15,000,000 State Merger funding which dropped
off council budget!
At the time CoP Council put in place the 2017-2021 Disability Inclusive Action (Page 11)
Not good enough, and wheelchair accessible toilet for final stage of
Hazlewood Age-friendly and Disability Area is essential before it is
completed as well as umbrella storage, so project on RPHG's calendar again!"
Sydney Wildlife
Local Sydney Wildlife volunteer Deb Fleet has asked the Trust to share
information on their next care and rescue course on Saturday 9 and
Sunday 10 November 2019 at Waverton. If you'd like to learn how to care
for sick, orphaned and injured native birds and animals then please
check out this link as Sydney Wildlife need more volunteers in our
northern suburbs this summer. Thanks in advance for sharing with your
friends and other community groups. http://www.sydneywildlife.org.au/upcoming-courses.html
Parramatta Seniors' Concert – from Epping Ward Councillor Donna Davis This year the City of Parramatta is hosting a Senior’s Concert to celebrate the festive season.
Details are available in the following link. CLICK HERE
Please note this is only available to residents and/or ratepayers from within the Parramatta LGA.
BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN. Tickets for bus travel are also available.
Councillor Emma Heyde's Latest Newsletter - October 7th The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
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.
Annual Memberships for 2019 become due each year 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.
