28thSEPTEMBER 2017 Edition Three. In this edition:Council election results,
the Beecroft and District Garden Club,
the Rotary Club luncheon and the Beecroft Forum.
President’s comment. It’s
amazing what’s happened in one week since the last eNews!
Beecroft Place opened on Wednesday and everybody who was anybody was
there – handshakes all round. The Bag Free Beecroft sewing team were
there as well making bags and recruiting more supporters. Initial
resident feedback on the new shops has been positive, which is what the
community needs. The upper level of the shopping complex is
expected to be operating in a few weeks.
On 15th September some
of the Trust Committee were given the opportunity to visit the above
ground operations at the NorthConnex Southern Interchange, near the
M2. We had our inspection the day before various State ministers
and our new Mayor were given their tour. At the time of our visit
some of the tunnelling had reached as far north as Cardinal Avenue, in
preparation for meeting the tunnelling coming south from the Wilson Road
compound that is located opposite Observatory Park. The Trust wishes to
thank the Northconnex Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor
Michelle Femia for arranging the tour. Some photos are shown below.
Moving on to the local government elections, everyone by now will know
who our new Councillors are for the next three years. Right?
Or is there a percentage of our well informed, highly educated
voters who are still none the wiser? Based on the results I sense many
residents, more than in previous elections, have taken an interest in
the council elections. Below I have listed the successful candidates and
their political affiliations.
The Trust takes a strong apolitical and ethical position with all levels
of government. The trust works closely with whomever is elected,
regardless of their political persuasion. Likewise, as I have found in
the past with Hornsby Council, they have a high regard for the
Trust.
I will make some salient observations between the new and former Hornsby
Councils. The former Hornsby Council was dominated by one party
with a mix of independents. There was only one female councillor.
The former mayor was from A Ward, the northern part of the LGA. The
amalgamation process delayed the recent elections by about 2 years so we
have had the former Council for 5 years. Interpret my
observations your own way. The Trust had some successes. No
denying it. But some frustrations too, where, from the Trust’s
viewpoint, the residents’ views did not appear to be Council’s
priority.
In Hornsby Council we now have five Liberal Councillors, including the
new mayor. There are two Greens, two Labor and only one
independent. The good news is that two of the new councillors are
women. Also it is worth noting that, for various reasons, only 3
out of the 10 former Councillors were re-elected. I have received
comments ranging from “isn’t it great to have a balance” to “good luck
getting agreement”. Time will tell of course. But be assured,
while I have been personally dealing with Hornsby Councillors for the
best part of a quarter of a century, the Trust, founded in 1964, will
continue to work with all councillors for the benefit of Beecroft and
Cheltenham. Our C Ward now has Michael Hutchence, returning for
another term, Emma Heyde, a well-known Cheltenham resident and
Vince del Gallego, a Cherrybrook resident who galvanised the local
community over the South Dural rezoning process. Vince stood as a true
independent representing his local community
I can’t ignore Parramatta Council, which now manages a third of
Beecroft. The Beecroft residents south of the M2 are in Epping
Ward. To find out all the elected Councillors
visit Parramatta’s website. But suffice to say Parramatta Council
also has a mixture of Councillors from various political parties. I
will be encouraging the Trust Committee to develop a similar working
relationship with Parramatta Council as we have with Hornsby
Council
Council Results for the 9th September elections Hornsby Council:
Mayor - Philip Ruddock – (Liberal Party)
C Ward – Michael Hutchence (re-elected Liberal), Emma Heyde (Greens), Vince del Gallego (Independent)
B Ward – Robert Browne (re-elected Liberal), Janelle McIntosh (Labor), Joseph Nicta (Greens)
A Ward – Nathan Tilbury (re-elected Liberal), Warren Waddell (Liberal), Mick Marr (Labor)
Parramatta Council:
Epping Ward
Epping Ward – Donna Davis (Labor), Bill Tyrrell (Liberal), Lorraine Wearne (independent),
Under the amalgamation rules, the Councillors elect their own mayor. On Monday night 25th
September Parramatta Council elected Andrew Wilson from Rosehill Ward
as the Lord Mayor and Michelle Garrard from Dundas Ward as Deputy Lord
Mayor.
Beecroft & District Garden Club 6th October The monthly meeting for October will be held at the Beecroft Club formerly known as the Beecroft Bowling Club, 128 Copeland Road, Beecroft on Friday, 6th October 2017 commencing at 7.30 pm for an 8 pm start.
The speaker will be Norm Webb – Bee Keeper - and his Topic: ‘European Bees in Your Garden’. This is a friendly club. Visitors welcome. Cuttings and potted plants for sale (please bring reusable bags). Supper provided. Details: Susan Mordy - 9875 3127.
Annual Spring Lunch 2017 for seniors and retirees 19th October Rotary Club of Beecroft invites you to join them for lunch and a fun, relaxing afternoon (everyone welcome).
Come and sing-a-long to old favourites with the talented local quartet SaM.
Thursday 19th October 2017 11.30 am to 2.00 pm at the Pennant Hills Golf Club, Copeland Road Beecroft. $15 per person.
Tickets from Sparks Shoes 9 Wongala Crescent Beecroft .
Entry by pre-purchased tickets only. (Sorry no tickets will be sold at the door on the day)
Enquiries - call or text 0478 110 943
Beecroft Forum Dinner 2nd November The Beecroft Forum Dinner will be held on Thursday 2nd
November 2017 at the usual time of 7.00pm and at the usual place,
Pennant Hills Golf Club, Copeland Road, Beecroft. A donation of
$50 per adult would be appreciated. The guest speaker is
Mark Scott AO, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, with
oversight for 2,200 schools with 49,000 teachers and 800,000
students. The title of Mark’s talk is “Education for an uncertain world”. Bookings are essential. Please book early. Please advise bookings to Janet Hayes (Ph 9980 9917) or email beecroftforum@bigpond.com
Trust Spring Walk. “We
always strive to make the walks interesting, so for this Spring Walk we
are venturing further afield into the wilds of Cherrybrook
The location will be Trevors Lane off Purchase Rd. The date is Sunday 29th October from 2pm till 4 pm. It’s an easy 90 minute walk with some interesting rock formations.
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are continuing to looking for volunteers who like walking and who may
be able to distribute approximately 100 Bulletins a couple of times per
year, as this is all done by kind members of our community. If you are
able to help out, even as an occasional fill in person, please contact trish@bcct2119.com.au.
The Trust has always had an unwritten policy to assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
