18thJune 2019 Edition Two. In this edition:
Presidents Message,
Byles Creek Vallley,
Re-vegetation of the former Metro Haulage Rd,
Trust Autumn Walk 23rd June,
History Group Book Launch,
Opening Day, Sporting facilities,
Police Reports,
STEP Newsletter.
Message from the President I attended Hornsby Council’s general meeting on Wednesday night 12th June when our Councillors approved the funding of various environmental studies that will form the basis for any rezoning of residential land to open space in the Byles Creek Valley. Based on the support of our local residents over the past six years, the Trust has been liaising with Council on the progress of this lengthy saga. To refresh your memories I have provided a summary of the Byles Creek open space saga below.
This has been a long process but Council’s approval to carry out the rezoning studies is perhaps timely. At the Trust’s recent ‘Meet the Candidates’ evening, Dominic Perrottet, our recently elected State Member for Epping and State Treasurer recognised the environmental significance of Byles Creek by announcing that State funding is now available for the acquisition of any land identified for open space through the thorough studies.
Byles Creek Valley Open Space Saga The next stage of the ongoing campaign by the residents of Beecroft and Cheltenham in seeking more public open space in the Byles Creek Valley was passed by Hornsby Council at its general meeting on Wednesday night 12th June. CLICK HERE for the minutes:
The recommendation under item 6 on the agenda (CLICK HERE:) recommended that up to $70,000 of the restricted Council-managed funds, proceeds from the sale of the former Congregational Church at 179 Beecroft Rd. Cheltenham, should be used to fund the various environmental studies required to support any rezoning of additional land for open space.
The initial resident campaign to seek the protection of bushland in the Byles Creek Valley was triggered by the recent Development Applications submitted to Council in the valley over the past six years. Up until then there were a number of vacant bushland lots located in the valley. These lots were zoned residential about 20 years ago when pressure on urban bushland was not as severe as it is today. The recent housing boom contributed to the owners of these vacant lots submitting development proposals to Hornsby Council.
The recent changes to NSW legislation requires any new development in bushfire prone areas to create extensive vegetation clearings around each dwelling in perpetuity. This clearing requirement has resulted in extensive loss of bushland and its subsequent adverse impact on flora and fauna in the Byles Creek Valley. The severity of the impact of this legal clearing has been magnified because the development has occurred in a small area where the bushland corridor is at its narrowest and therefore most vulnerable.
Hence the need for new studies to assess whether additional land should be zoned as open space in order to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the Byles Creek Valley and its related connectivity to the Lane Cove National Park.
Re-vegetation of the former Metro Haulage Road Last week the Metro project commenced re-vegetating the former haulage road between Cheltenham Oval and Kirkham Street. The 7,000 seedlings being planted are all indigenous to the area and were grown and supplied by Hornsby Council’s nursery staff, ably assisted by a dedicated team of bushcare volunteers who regularly assist the staff at the nursery. Fingers crossed the plants will now survive. The follow up maintenance work, including regular weeding, over the next 3-5 years will be crucial to the success of the project.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust Annual Autumn Walk – ReminderThis coming Sunday 23rd June 2019 The Trust will be holding its annual ‘autumn’ walk slightly later this year, this coming Sunday 23rd June 2019.
The walk will commence at the new netball court facility at Cheltenham Oval at 2pm. The positioning of the facilities will be explained before the walk moves onto the replanting in the former haulage road that comes in from Kirkham Street. The walk will continue into Chilworth Reserve before returning to Cheltenham Oval where our traditional afternoon tea will be provided around 4pm. Toilets will be open at the netball courts.
The walk will include points of interest that are both historical as well as recent. There is always so much to learn about our local bushland, so come along and be surprised.
All welcome. A hat and stout walking shoes are recommended. The walk will proceed regardless of the weather.
The Beecroft Cheltenham History Group Book Launch – ReminderSaturday 29th June 2019. WW1 Letters of James Blackwood: A Beecroft Son at war and at peace. The launch will occur on Saturday 29th June at 11.00am in Beecroft Presbyterian Church, where James Blackwood's name appears on the Honour Roll.
Julian Leeser, the Federal Member for Berowra, Phillip Ruddock, the Mayor of Hornsby Council, and former Member for Epping Andrew Tink will be present. Morning tea will be served afterwards.
For catering purposes an RSVP to enquiry@bchg.org.au would be appreciated.
Julian Leeser assisted the Beecroft Cheltenham History Group in obtaining a financial grant for this history project.
Cheltenham Oval Sporting Facilities Official Opening – Reminder Sunday afternoon 30th June 2019 The various sporting clubs of Beecroft with the support of Hornsby Shire Council and Beecroft Rotary will hold a special ‘Back to Beecroft’ morning and afternoon carnival to officially open the new recreational facilities at Cheltenham Oval. Everyone is invited.
There will be various sporting games in the morning with a jumping castle and face painting for the younger children. Food will be available throughout the day. An official opening is planned for 12.40 pm. Further details of events will be promoted through the various sporting websites including Beecroft Soccer, Beecroft Netball and Beecroft Cricket.
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.
Latest STEP Newsletter The South Turramurra Environmental Society (STEP) publishes a regular newsletter. The Society has been operating for many years and has a reputation of being very professional in its operation. CLICK HERE to access their latest newsletter. If you are interested in subscribing, there is a link at the end of the newsletter. New members are always welcome.
Annual Memberships for 2019 became due at the
Annual General Meeting 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.
