Rail Flange Noise - TORFMA (Top of rail friction modifier application)

Following is Gladys Berejiklian's response to a letter from the Pennant Hills Civic Trust:

"Thank you for your email of 20 June 2011 regarding rail noise and diesel fumes.

I appreciate your concerns, and have noted your views.  I am advised that RailCorp is currently trialling a new device which is placed on the track, usually before a curve. This device releases a small amount of lubricant onto the top of the rail, which then spreads along the curve. Although it may not completely eliminate wheel squeal, if the device proves to be effective in reducing noise, it may be installed in the Beecroft and Pennant Hills area.

I am further advised that most diesel train locomotives have filters on their exhaust systems, but it is recognised that some emissions may still occur including when there are mechanical problems. I understand that you can report any freight train that you observe emitting excessive smoke to the Rail Greenline on 1300 656 999.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Yours faithfully
(GJ)"

Tree Preservation in Hornsby Shire

From 1 September 2011, the rules for tree preservation in Hornsby Shire will change.  Council's current Tree Preservation Order (http.//www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/services/trees/treepreservation-order) is strictly enforceable until 1 September 2011.

Trees protected by the new Tree Preservation Order from 1 September 2011:

Trees that are indigenous to Hornsby Shire - (download list of Trees Indigenous to Hornsby Shire at http'!/www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/media/documents/about-council/latest-news/Trees-indigenous-to-HornsbySl1ire.pdf)

Trees growing within designated Heritage Conservation Areas (8S noted In the Hornsby Shire Heritage Development Control Plan) or trees that are listed as heritage items within the Plan

Trees exempt from protection under the new Tree Preservation Order (from 1 September 2011):

Trees that are not indigenous to Hornsby Shire, not growing within designated Heritage Conservation Areas (as noted In the Hornsby Shire Heritage Development Contr I Plan) and not listed as hentage items within the Plan All noxious weeds

Trees less than three metres in height

M2 Widening - Project Information Meetings

The Hills M2 Upgrade team advise they will host 3 community information sessions in early August.  These community information sessions will provide residents and motorway users with an opportunity to speak with members of our team about current and upcoming work. We invite you to come along and ask any questions you might have. Session dates and locations are:

• Western Zone
  Tuesday 9 August, 6pm - 8pm
  Winston Hills Public School hall
  Hillcrest Avenue, Winston Hills
• Eastern Zone
  Thursday 11 August, 6pm - 8pm
  North Ryde Community Centre
  201 Cox's Rd, North Ryde
• Central Zone
  Saturday 13 August, 12:30pm - 2.30pm
  Epping Heights Public School hall
  128 Kent Street, Epping

Lions Club wins Top Web Site award

We are pleased to record that the Lions Club of Beecroft / Cheltenham won the prestigious international award for the best Lions Website, at the International Lions convention in Seattle, with more than 100 countries attending.  There are many really good things on the site, including a Business Directory.

Meanwhile the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust is building a new website that should be on line soon.

Chilworth Handrail

Over the weekend I caught people crossing the creek, which was in flood, using the bottom rail of the new Transurban / Leighton handrail! 

After the heavy rain, it was interesting to see all the footprints in the mud, showing how many people are using this path over the weekends.  Some stepping stones would be nice, over the muddy areas.

Beecroft in Bloom 10 Sep - Art Show

Invitation to Artists Beecroft Lions Art Exhibition for 2011 will be held Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September 2011. Artists are invited to contact Hugh Talbot talbothugh@gmail.com

Beecroft in Bloom 10 Sep - Stalls

The Lions Club of Beecroft Cheltenham advises that a limited number of spaces are available for market stalls at the Beecroft In Bloom festival, Saturday 10th September 2011. Inquiries to Trish on 0449 165017 email:  bede@control.net.au . The Lions Art Exhibition, bands, market stalls,  face painting,  jumping castle, animal farm, and more attractions are planned for this year! Proceeds go to community projects locally, nationally [...]

Heritage Committee of Hornsby Shire Council

This Wednesday night Hornsby Shire Council will be debating a report to discontinue the operation of the Heritage Committee and of the Heritage Assistance Fund.

The Heritage Assistance Fund allowed Council to provide by way of grants to assist owners of heritage properties. Because the total of the fund was only $60,000 pa its utility is limited. Its abolition will not be too significant.

However the Heritage Committee should play an important role. This committee should comprise local members of the community with knowledge of heritage matters who voluntarily provide their time and expertise to help Council understand matters of importance from a heritage perspective. Without this assistance Council will make decisions, especially planning decisions, without highly significant guidance and information. Because decisions often require local knowledge it is not the sort of information that can be bought on a consultancy basis.

The Council Business Paper suggests that the current Heritage Committee costs $30,000 pa to service. This seems a significant amount for a voluntary body and it is a matter for Council to manage its own finances but reduction in the amount spent should not mean that the Committee and its role is abolished.

If Council proposes to make planning decisions without this guidance then local residents are likely to see far more decisions that fail to pay due regard to their interests.

This appears to be the only committee suggested for abolition on the grounds of budget cuts.

The Civic Trust urges all members to immediately contact their local councillors to oppose the abolition of the committee.

Building the NWRL

This excellent brochure from NSW Transport provides a general overview of the likely methods of construction, and of the planned route, for the North West Rail Link.  Unfortunately the brochure isn't easily readable on this blog, but it and more can be seen by asking for Peter Hewitt at Ray White Beecroft in The Module, Beecroft.

NW Rail Link is rolling!

Design of the NWRL will begin next week, after the State government announced the project's first major contract.  AECOM Australia will test the track layout, how it connects to existing CityRail links, and how many harbour crossings will be needed.

Beecroft in Bloom 10 Sep

The Lions Club of Beecroft Cheltenham will be holding Beecroft in Bloom on Saturday 10 September.  The Trust will have a stand there, and anyone joining the Trust on that day will be deemed to have joined for 2012.

New BCCT Committee Members

At the July Trust Committee meeting, two new committee members were proposed and accepted - Emma Heyde, and Anthony Whipps.

Chilworth Reserve Handrail over Devlin Creek

As shown in this photo, Transurban / Leighton have built a most excellent handrail over the slippery rocks of the path across Devlins Creek.  This was built in response to a request by the BCCT.

This picture shows how the widening work is progressing, with many of the two extra pillars completed.

For Your Diary - BCCT Spring Walk 18 Sep

The next BCCT Wallk will start and end at Thornleigh Oval, looping down through Lorna Pass and out to the lookout, virtually the same as the spring walk 4 years ago.  The wild flowers should be out!