10th May 2025. Edition Two. In this edition:
President's Report, Trust Membership Subscriptions, Trust AGM and Public Meeting,
ANZAC Day 2025, M2 Road Noise, Beecroft Village Planter Boxes,
Marie Byles Anniversary Celebration 18th May,
Construction at Wongala Crescent Continues, Ray Park Heritage Group,
Hornsby Shire Council's Heritage Development Control Plan Review,
Hornsby Shire Council's Dual Occupancy DCP Provisions,
Local Justice of the Peace, Hornsby Shire Council's May News Bulletin,
City of Parramatta's May News Bulletin,
Recent Development Applications
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday May 18Marie Byles Anniversary Celebration Ahimsa, 67 Cobram Rd. Cheltenham
Thursday May 29Public Meeting and BCCT AGMBeecroft Presbyterian Church Hall, Welham Street,
Message from the President Dear fellow residents,
Congratulations are in order for the re-election of our two Federal
members; Julian Leeser in Berowra and Andrew Charlton in Parramatta. The
Trust is apolitical in its views so, regardless of which party wins, we
work with our respective elected member for the benefit of our
community.
Due to time constraints we were unable to hold our traditional ‘Meet the
Candidates’ public meeting before the election day. Instead, in
partnership with Epping Civic Trust, we sent out questions for the
candidates to answer. Again time caught us out and not all candidates
were able to provide answers in time. Epping Civic Trust dealt with the
Parramatta electorate on our behalf but I didn’t provide a link to the
Epping Civic Trust website. So my apologies to the Beecroft residents
within the Parramatta electorate. Hopefully next election will not clash
with Easter, Anzac Day and school holidays!
Our AGM will coincide with a public meeting on Thursday 29 May. We
had to delay the meeting to avoid clashing with the Federal elections
and the Easter holidays. In light of the new dual occupancy policy we
are fortunate that Professor Sebastian Pfautsch from Western Sydney
University has accepted our invitation to speak on pressures of
urbanisation. More details are set out below in the eNews.
I encourage our readers to join the Trust and pay the nominal membership
fee of $20. Running a charitable organisation for our community’s
benefit does cost money. Annual insurance is our largest expense
at over $1000, followed by hall hire for our public meetings. So please
sign up!
Ross Walker OAM President president@bcct2119.com.au
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 professional 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 by paying by EFT:
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust
BSB: 062 113
Account Number: 1006 8238
Please email a copy of your payment receipt to membership@bcct2119.com.au
with your full name and address for our membership records.
Civic Trust AGM and Public Meeting The Civic Trust's Annual General Meeting will be held at the Beecroft Presbyterian Church hall, Welham St. on Thursday 29 May 2025 at 7.30pm. Please attend to support the Trust and to elect a Trust committee for 2025.
The Trust has managed to secure an important guest speaker for this occasion to address the meeting on Urban Tree Canopy Dynamics.
Professor Sebastian Pfautsch PhD GAICD
Sebastian is a Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western
Sydney University. He is also the Deputy President of the Australasian
Green Infrastructure Network, the peak body of the engineered green
infrastructure industry in Australia and New Zealand. With a background
in forestry, plant ecophysiology, and climate change impacts, he
researches how cities can adapt to rising air temperatures. Sebastian’s
projects won multiple awards for innovation, sustainability and
technology and his high-quality research is documented in more than 140
published works. He is listed in the top 2% of scientists worldwide in
Plant Biology and Ecology.
ANZAC Day 2025 ANZAC Day was again, thanks to Beecroft Rotary, a huge success with many residents attending the memorial service.
Brandon
Etto, a Darug/Gomeroi man, gave a stirring address recounting the times
and services of his Great Uncle George who served in the Australian
Army in Egypt during WWII. A time when indigenous men had very few
rights and were not even counted in the Australian census.
Brandon recounted the story about when his Great Uncle George was asked
by a fellow soldier, "Why you over here fighting?", Great Uncle Geoge
replied, "same as you mate, I'm fighting for my country and my family".
During the wreath laying ceremony, the Piper played the solemn Lament "Flowers of the Forest"
Transport for NSW Safety
improvement work at the intersection of Beecroft Road and Hannah
Street, Beecroft from Sunday 4 May 2025. For information CLICK HERE
M2 Road Noise Our
recently elected State Member for Epping, Monica Tudehope, met last
month with the Trust and a small group of noise affected Beecroft and
Cheltenham residents whose homes back onto the M2. Monica Tudehope
is very interested in pursuing this issue on behalf of our residents.
Residents affected by this issue, please email Ross Walker at president@bcct2119.com.au . If you have emailed in the past, please email again so I can create a specific group on M2 noise.
This proved to be a productive meeting with Monica Tudehope hearing the
noise problems herself and assuring the Trust she will give the matter
her attention.
Beecroft Village Planter Boxes A big shout out and a thank you to our dedicated team of residents who regularly water all the planter boxes in Hannah Street.
Thank you: Sandra, Ray, Lindy, Blanche, Ros, Roger, Roslyn, Ross, and Harry.
Marie Byles Anniversary Celebration 18th May Join
artist Patrick Shirvington for a morning of drawing in the surrounds of
the 'Hut of Happy Omen' Ahimsa. Continuing Marie Byles's legacy of
connection to the natural world, Patrick is a well known artist /
illustrator, with his work focusing on the natural world. With the simple tools of pencil and paper we will explore the sandstone landscape of Marie Byles's favourite spot. CLICK HERE for more information.
Hornsby Shire Council's Dual Occupancy DCP Provisions The
NSW government gazetted dual occupancy development (2 dwellings on a
single lot) in July 2024 across NSW in the R2 Low Density Residential
zone as part of its Low-Rise Housing Diversity Reforms. Hornsby Council
is still in the process of negotiating how dual occupancy should apply
in heritage precincts. CLICK HERE to
view Council’s proposed minimum lot sizes in the R2 zoned land across
the Shire. Expect the minimum lot size in a heritage precinct to
be 800m2 and outside a heritage precinct to be 700m2. For a single
dwelling the minimum lot size is unchanged at 600m2.
A letter from Council's James Farrington to Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure can be viewed CLICK HERE.
Construction for the New Residential and Commercial Development at Wongala Crescent Continues.
Ray Park Heritage Group Ray Park Heritage Group is an incorporated
body managed by a committee elected by the members. The Group is
concerned with the preservation of the local history of the area bounded
by the creek catchments and adjacent lands of Carlingford Road,
Beecroft Road, the M2 Motorway, and Pennant Hills Road.
Their quarterly Newsletter features stories by descendants of original
settlers and families who have moved into the area over the years. The
Group strongly believe in not only preserving historical photographic
evidence but also documented memories about the lives of those who came
after the pioneers in order to provide insight for future generations.
For more information or to join this group CLICK HERE
Hornsby Shire Council's Heritage Development Control Plan Review Council
is undertaking a Comprehensive Heritage Study, which is comprised of
several projects to improve how heritage within Hornsby Shire is
managed. This includes updates and revisions to heritage controls in
Hornsby Development Control Plan (DCP) 2024. CLICK HERE for information.
City of Parramatta Dual Occupancy Provisions In the Parramatta LGA Beecroft with its R2
zoning, dual occupancy is already permissible on lots of 600m2 with a 15
metre width. For a single dwelling the minimum lot size is unchanged at
550m2.
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
The Trust’s Facebook Page has every now and then interviews with interesting people in 2119.
The latest of these is an interview with Michael Bianchino, a name synonymous with the protection of The Powerful Owl. CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's May 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.
Other objections and 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.
