109 Copeland Rd

Following the sale of Carmel on Beecroft Road, near the tennis courts a few years ago, another almost derelict house has recently been sold. This time the property is at 109 Copeland Road.

The original 4 lots upon which this property stands were acquired on the sale of the Field of Mars Common in 1887 by a real estate agent, George Dyson of Sydney. He presumably held it for speculative purposes. He sold the two corner lots in 1889 to William Allsopp of Picton a railway employee. The other two lots were sold in 1908 to Walter Herbert Nichols of Tilba Tilba, a butcher. The corner lots were then sold in 1896 to James Doran the Station Master at Beecroft and in 1916 James’ wife Eleanor Theresa Doran bought most of the other two lots. It is possible that James Doran was living on the site in 1912 and so presumably the house was built around this time.

From 1912 James Doran had his father living with him. The father, Patrick Doran, was a third cousin of Cardinal Moran, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. Patrick came from Leighlan Bridge in Ireland and had lived in NSW for over 50 years – during which time he had worked at Muswellbrook Railway Station until he retired in1912.[1] Being an Irishman Doran called the house Glendalough – after the sacred monastery of St Kevin in Ireland.

After the death of the father, until 1920 the house was rented to Mrs Constance Mitchell. The present parcel was then sold in 1923 to Ann Elizabeth Firth of Beecroft, a widow.

Later that same year Mrs Firth sold the property to Leslie Alfred Redgrave (1882-1956) and he called it “Bellingara.” Leslie Redgrave was the sone of Charles Alfred Hurst Redgrave and Mary Jane (nee Bellingham). He was born in Newtown and married at St Leonards to Ruby Ella Bird (b 1886). Mr Redgrave had the telephone installed by at least 1931 and it remained in his name until 1944 with number Epping 1099. He was a school master and author. His books include Gwen: a romance of Australian Station life (1913), Scatch Cock: a booklet of the bright birds of our bushland pictured in colour and rhyme for children (1933), Feathered favourites: a booklet of bird verse (1932) and Little bungalows: a practical handbook for the homemaker (1937).

The property was transferred into the name of Ruby Ella Redgrave in 1931.

Leslie moved to live at Oura via Wagga in 1943 and he died in Wagga in 1956.

In 1939 Alice Walker, widow of Bondi, took out a Supreme Court injunction to stop her under aged daughter (Shirley) from marrying Ronald Leslie Redgrave the son of this household. The matter was settled by Shirley and Ronald agreeing to defer the wedding.

In 1956 the property was sold to Frank Gallaway and his wife Valda Elaine. He was a marine engineer.

1n 1959 it was sold to the most recent owner. It remained the owner’s home (and that of his family) from then until 2012.

History of the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust

Australia’s First Civic Trust: a community focused on preserving its environment & heritage.

On a fine spring day in 1963, residents of one of Beecroft's many attractive tree-lined streets noted a number of long timber poles lying on the road verge, and a number of very deep holes dug ready to receive the poles. Several engineering-wise residents of the street realised that the poles were for high tension electricity mains, the erection of which would mean cutting down, or at the least, ruination of a number of fine gum trees lining the street.

Overnight the affected residents were alerted and the Sydney County Council, the electricity supply authority concerned, was inundated with requests to divert its supply line to save the trees. Local Members of Parliament became involved, the press sent its reporters and photographers, and feeling ran so high that Departmental engineers held a street meeting with the residents on the site.

The result - a simple solution. It was found that with very minor variations to cable lay-out, and the pruning of only a few branches, the line could still go through as intended, sparing the trees and the character of the street - and the expense of tree felling was saved. More importantly, it led to the formation of the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust (BCCT) in 1964.

This, Australia's first Civic Trust, has done much since its foundation, to put the case to both State and Local Government as well as to Statutory Authorities for the survival of what remains of our passive and defenceless natural beauty and for the citizen who wishes to continue to enjoy this natural beauty and other desirable civic amenities.

The Trust was formally incorporated under the New South Wales Incorporation Act of 1984 on 5 December 1988    

Extract from BCCT constitution

As a practicing Horticulturist, Landscape Architect and Consultant Arborist it has been a privilege to be elected by the Beecroft Cheltenham community to serve for the past 5 years as a voluntary member of the BCCT Committee.

The elected 10 members of the BCCT Committee provide expertise in Law, Architecture, Planning, Science, Real Estate and Property, Engineering, Education Business Management, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Arboriculture and Surveying.

My specific role within the committee is to deal with Development and Housing matters with a specific focus on the horticultural, landscape, arboricultural and natural environment concerns.

The sub-committee receives throughout each month from Hornsby Shire Council copies of Development Applications lodged within the 2119 post code areas, and is invited to view the application and appended plans / reports and make comments on the application in a written submission to Council by a notification end date within 14-21 days.

To address the above it involves site inspections and assessment of:

·         All proposed development sites, report writing and correspondence in some cases related to objections or non compliance with statuary planing codes applicable to the proposed development

·         Impact on remnant stands of Critically Endangered Ecological Community plantings of Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine Iron Bark Forest.

·         Significant planting of native vegetation introduced to the locality

·         Heritage and significant plantings that are of a Cultural valve to the community

·         Street and Habitat trees

·         Riparian corridors and waterways

Council Planning Meetings are attended monthly where necessary to address the Councillors and the Executive Officers with regard to lending support to applications or to expand objections to poor and over development, loss of trees, impact on heritage sites, waterways and environmental  matters before the Council.

The sub-committee of the Trust assists when requested by Council with Development Application before the Land and Environment Court of NSW to provide expert witness evidence in the areas of Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Design.

The tasks performed by the Trust are constant and demanding but in the end very rewarding, knowing that we are leaving future generations with a community built on a strong stewardship towards preserving a small yet important fragment our of natural environment and heritage.

Stuart Pittendrigh MAIH, FAILA, M.Arb. Australia

Consultant Horticulturist, Registered Landscape Architect & Registered Consultant Arborist

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

Arden Anglican School

The Arden school is seeking contributions to their 'Creating an Arden Future' Building Fund Appeal.  Pledges can be sent to PO Box 23, Beecroft, NSW 2119, or information can be obtained by phoning 9484 1146.

Beecroft Cherrybrook Junior Rugby Club

The Beecroft Cherrybrook Junior Rugby Club is seeking sponsorship for their annual rugby tour.  This year the equivalent New Zealand club will be touring our area, and in June/July next year the BCJRC will be sending forty Under 10 and 11 players to North Island of New Zealand.
One way to sponsor this tour is to attend a Gala Dinner at the Castle Hill RSL club, Friday 12 August.  If interested, please email Mick Dalton, or the Tour Organising Committee, at mick@daltonselectrical.com.au.

Off Leash Dog Parks - Ryde Council's Trial Reports 7 June

A six month trial of dog off-leash areas across the City Of Ryde commenced on 27 October 2010.  That trial has now concluded. Council staff have begun assessing all submissions received from the community and the outcomes of the trial will be reported to Council on 7 June 2011.

In the interim, the current trial conditions for all parks included in the trial will continue until Council has made a decision on the future use of the park as an off leash exercise area for dogs.

For further enquiries please contact the Open Space Team on telephone 9952 8222.

Beecroft - Cheltenham Link Track Walk 19 June

STEP, a community based environmental conservation group, is organising a walk along the Link Track.  Start at 9:45 at the western end of Mary Street Beecroft.  This will be a 4km, 2 hour, walk through Chilworth and Castle Howard reserves.  Book by contacting Robert Bracht by email at robert.bracht@hotmail.com, or on 0422 088 305.

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting

Next meeting of Neighbourhood Watch is tonight Wednesday 27 April at 7:30, in the committee room at the southern end of the Roselea Community Centre underneath the stage.  Items for discussion include the M2 widening project as it affects our suburb, car parking, car theft, and graffiti.

Off Leash Dog Parks - Ryde Council's Trial

On 19 April Ryde Council deferred a decision on continuing with off leash areas until 8 June.  That date is to be confirmed, and this blog will try to keep interested parties informed.

Walking Across Chilworth Reserve

Just a reminder that the BCCT-sponsored Walk in the Park is being held this Sunday starting at 2pm, and will include an inspection of the new construction camp under the M2.  All welcome, not just BCCT members - although membership forms will be available during the walk if you want to join, just $10 or $20 for family membership.
Join us at the park end of Wellham Street, which is off Beecroft Road near the Vintage Cellars bottle shop.
Please note that the path through the construction camp was open at 6pm on Friday night, so presumably will in future be left open each weekend from end of work on Friday.  There are still a lot of locals who feel they should be allowed to go through in the evenings during the week.

M2 Access to Chilworth Reserve

The BCCT has sent the following to Transurban:

The Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust maintains a web-log to garner resident opinion on key and emerging local issues in (relatively) real-time.

Three comments have been made by residents regarding access across Chilworth Reserve during current M2 expansion work:

1. “I agree that the access path must be maintained during the works. Accepting that the path location may change as the work progresses there is no excuse to completely block access across the creek. This must be managed to accommodate both the right of way and safety concerns. If this means moving the fence corridor regularly or employing a safety crossing flag person then so be it. Pedestrian gates should not be found locked shut.”

2. “I have checked the access path repeatedly and it has been closed and locked each evening and I have only found it open on Sundays.  I think the Trust should apply pressure on the M2 to remedy this and restore reasonable access to what is, I believe, a public right of way.  At the presentation after the Trust AGM, the M2 people stipulated access would only be restricted during construction, and when I enquired after the meeting they advised this was 7:30am to 5pm.”

3. ‘I have gone down to the site 4 times after hours and found the gate locked each time.’

Please advise on the matter so that we can also email our 400+ Trust members and friends, and avoid being ‘a suburb divided’.

Regards,

Colin.

Secretary,

Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust

DA/1470/2009/A - 39 Hannah Street, Beecroft

Following is a letter sent by the Trust to Hornsby Shire Council.

Councillor Nick Berman

Mayor of Hornsby Shire

Council Chambers

Dear Mayor Nick,

DA/1470/2009/A - 39 Hannah St Beecroft

The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust thanks Council for the opportunity to make comments on the subject development, and objects to the application for the following reasons.

Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 requires that that the consent authority, when determining a development application or a variation under Section 96(2) of the Act, consider a number of matters.

In this particular matter, the owner is seeking to increase the value of the land, the subject of a development approval, by removing a perceived encumbrance in the form of Tree 18. The effect of a development application on the value of land the subject of the application is not a head of consideration under Section 79C; therefore Council has no option but to refuse the Section 96 application.

Background information:

• The Council’s Bushland & Biodiversity Team object to the removal of Tree 18, a Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney Blue Gum)

• The Council’s Tree Management Team object to the removal of Tree 18, a Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney Blue Gum)

The Applicant's Consultant Arborist, Mark Hartley, described the tree as being in good condition and rated its Retention Value – High and recommended that the tree be preserved.

• The Applicant's Ecological Consultant, Dr Stephen Ambrose, acknowledges that Tree 18 is the largest tree on the site and its removal is likely to have a significant visual impact on the site.

• This Trust, in its previous objection with regard to removal of numerous trees from the site, described the Sydney Blue Gum Tree 18 as being in good condition, structure and form typical of the species and the most significant tree on the site.

The Trust submits that even on its merits the application is not worthy of approval.

 

Mr Garry Mahony should be commended on his thoroughly professional handling of this matter in his telephone reply to the applicant ‘The removal of Tree 18 is not required for construction of services for the subdivision and the subdivision is designed to retain Tree 18.  The proposed removal of the tree would therefore not be supported.’

The approved subdivision plan indicates that the dwelling can be constructed on the site and at the same time Tree 18 can be preserved.

In conclusion, the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust strongly objects to the removal of this significant native tree which forms part of the Blue Gum High Forest and  is listed as a critically endangered ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).  It is also listed as an endangered ecological community in NSW under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

  

Yours sincerely,  

Colin Johnston

People Power beats Maccas DA

The controversial proposal to have a McDonnalds restaurant on Pennant Hills Road at Pennant Hills was unanimously rejected by Hornsby Council last week!
The Pennant Hills Civic Trust was just one body resisting the proposal, mostly on a traffic hazard basis, you can read their arguments on their website http://www.pennanthillscivictrust.com/.  It is pleasing to see that public protest can achieve results.

Off Leash Dog Parks - Ryde Council's Trial

On 27 April 2011, Ryde Council's six month trial of Off Leash Dog Parks is due to complete.  The Ryde Council will discuss the trial at the meeting before this date.  If you have a view, communicate with them, or come to the meeting to express your views in person.

Beecroft Cheltenham Rail Noise

The main northern rail line grade through our above suburbs is known as the Beecroft bank.  It is one of the steepest rail grades in NSW.  Added to that is the curving nature of the tracks as they negotiate the hilly terrain through this steep grade.   With these notable curves comes noise, or squeak/scream, as many wheel flanges try to adjust for track curvature.  The numbers of freight trains passing our suburbs reflects the prosperity of our times, and the economies rail can provide over trucking heavy goods long distances.

These factors compound to produce notable noise levels, which can block out conversation at close range.  They also impact the amenity of homes nearby, particularly at night where there are relatively low ambient noise levels in our suburbs.  The Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust is keeping in touch with the Pennant Hills & District Civic Trust, and key Shire residents as far away as Cowan, who have expressed interest or concern about their local rail noise levels.

Your Trust understands that previous rail authority practice was to install and refill pressure oil canisters along such track to lubricate the rail/wheel interface and reduce local noise.  We similarly understand that this practice has been discontinued.

DOES RAIL NOISE IMPACT YOUR HOUEHOLD AMENITY?  

Please let the Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust know.

Deputy Mayor Goes to Jail, needs your help.

Friends and Colleagues,

Your help is needed. The PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) is having their annual fundraiser and as a consequence they are having me arrested to raise money for their cause. A minimum of $500 (and hopefully much more) bail needs to be raised for my release. If you can help please email back with your pledge to ensure I can be available for work again on Monday and not locked up in Hornsby mall waiting for help. Any donation, no matter how small, will add up. Also please note that all donations are tax deductible.

Also if you would like to see me and others be arrested on a trumped up charge and kept in a lockup right in Hornsby mall (outside Westfield Hornsby) I will be there between 10:30 am and 12pm (unless bailed out earlier) this Saturday (02/04/2011).

Looking forward to your support and to seeing you there on Saturday.

Sincerely,
Michael Hutchence
Deputy Mayor
Hornsby Shire Council
0466 008 375

Volunteers Needed For Bushcare

Bushcare is a very enjoyable activity where you can learn about the local flora and fauna and contribute to the health of our local bushland. Most groups work once a month but some work weekly and there is a wide choice of days and times. ALL WELCOME!

Council provide a bushcare trainer for each group and an interesting training day for new volunteers. Hats and gloves are provided for those who have completed the training and after a number of sessions with a group you become an accredited volunteer bush carer.

For more information on Hornsby Council's bushcare program contact: phone 9847 6362 or email
bushcare@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.

Or for some local knowledge about the groups in the area you can contact Sheila Woods sheilawoods@hotmail.com or 9484 6764 or Dorothy Doolan dedoolan@netspace.net.au 9876 5713.

Making a Submission to Council

Further to the DA post earlier, there is a link on the Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust website http://www.2119.org.au/councilsubmission.pdf which enables you to download a copy of Making a Submission to Council – Residents’ Guide.

Hornsby Shire Council Rate Proposal

This is a reminder to advise that the Hornsby Shire Council Rate Proposal online discussion forum at http://bangthetable.com/hornsbyrateproposal will close at 5.00pm, Wednesday 16 March, 2011.
There are also two remaining public consultation events as follows:

14 March 2011 Have Your Say Session At Epping Librarys

15 March 2011 Have Your Say Session At Carlingford Shops

Northern Sydney Freight Corridor

The Trust is following developments with rail in our area and have just been given the following advice:

The new track for the Northern Sydney Freight Line is likely to be built on the west side of the existing tracks, which will require new access to the down (west side) platform at Cheltenham and take out most of the car park.  At Beecroft a new track will intrude into the park and playground on that side. 

The track geometry at Beecroft is difficult - there is an S-bend through the station - and this may put the station building under threat.  This might mean residents get the new lift they have been campaigning for quicker than expected!

The Trust will also be monitoring the intentions for landscaping in the corridor between the stations.  Railway engineers seem sometimes just to spray everything that doesn't move with Shotcrete, which would destroy the rock faces and vegetated cuttings that characterise this section of line!