At an EcoTransit forum last night, about one hundred concerned residents listened and applauded while spokespersons for the Liberal party and the Greens gave clear and unqualified commitments to start building the North West Rail Link during the first term of the next government, if the voters permit.
Minister for Transport John Robertson had been invited to attend representing the Labor government, and it had been expected that he would be present, but in the event he did not appear.
Dr Michelle Zeibots, invited speaker with expertise in rail traffic management, gave an excellent presentation on the beneficial results the link would bring, and refuted some of the arguments, especially cost, that have been used against the proposal.
Carolyn Watt of the BCCT asked about the proposed route from where the rail will commence at what Dr Zeibots called 'the Cheltenham Link', but those present were not able to be specific. Residents of Beecroft and Cheltenham will be waiting eagerly for the response.
Another forum will be held at the Epping Club in Epping, on Thursday 10 March at 6 pm, hopefully all parties will be represented then, and possibly Carolyn's question will be answered there.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
AGM of the BCCT
Notice of Annual General Meeting – 7.30pm MON 7 March 2011, at the Cheltenham Recreation Club
60-70 The Crescent (near Lyne Road), Cheltenham .
You are welcome to attend and vote at the above meeting, the Agenda for which follows. Further details of the Meeting are included in the attached, advance copy of our February 2011 Trust Bulletin, which will shortly be delivered by our volunteers to local letter-boxes.
Agenda
1. Welcome to AGM
2. Summary Reports
3. Resolutions:
Life Membership
It is proposed to confer Honorary Life Membership on the following residents, who have served their community through outstanding work for the Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust, over many years:
a. Wayne Yeo (former Treasurer with some 40 years prior service)
b. Keith Coble (retiring Auditor with some 30 years recent service)
c. Ross Walker (who has given some 20 years committee service, continuing in a notable array of roles)
d. Brian Sippel (who coordinates some 40 resident volunteers to distribute some 4100 bulletins, every few months, for 10+ years).
Revised Constitution
It is proposed to adopt a revised Constitution:
The Associations Incorporation Act 1984 and its supporting regulation have recently been repealed and replaced with a new Act and regulation which impose slightly different requirements. All organisations in NSW affected by this Act must make similar appropriate changes. As a result, it has been necessary to revise and amend the Trust's Constitution so that it complies with NSW law. The opportunity has been taken to bring forward several other amendments so as to give more flexibility in our operations and to ensure that, as far as is possible, a Rule covers the whole of the subject to which it is directed. Further details are in the attached advance copy of the Trust’s February 2011 Bulletin.
4. Committee Election
5. C Ward Councillors’ Report
6. M2 / Murray Farm Road Bridge
7. Trust Committee Election Results
8. Other Business
9. M2 Expansion – Transurban presentation
The revised constitution and a summary of changes are available by emailing me, or a copy may be obtained by telephoning me (040 875 1915 or A.H. 9875 1915). Summary reports will be similarly available. They will also be accessible at http://www.2119.org.au/ You are also welcome to nominate for the Trust Committee – please email or phone me for a form; to be returned to me by 28 February 2011.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Proposed Development, George Street
Marcia Horvai, President of Pennant Hills Civic Trust, has a letter in February's Monthly Chronicle about problems associated with a proposed development of a McDonald's outlet on the corner of George Street and Pennant Hills Road.
The PHCT website is at http://www.pennanthillscivictrust.com/ where you can find the Trust's concerns, and information about how you can add your say to the debate.
The PHCT website is at http://www.pennanthillscivictrust.com/ where you can find the Trust's concerns, and information about how you can add your say to the debate.
New Bus Service Starting
A new bus service, the M60, is starting on 7 March which goes through Pennant Hills railway station and up Boundary Road, starting and ending at Hornsby and Parramatta. For more information go to http://www.131500.com.au/ or phone Transport Info on 131500.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hornsby Shire Rate Proposal community meeting
Go to the Hornsby Shire Council rate proposal online discussion forum and have your say about the future funding of asset maintenance and improvements and the delivery of services within the Hornsby Shire. You are also invited to attend one of the community meetings and feedback sessions being conducted by Hornsby Shire Council, as advertised on their website.
| Please note the change of address below for tonight's Hornsby Shire Rate Proposal community meeting. Community Meeting - 7pm The Beecroft Club 128 Copeland Road West, Beecroft |
M2 Vegetation Clearance, Chilworth Recreation Reserve
A very concerned local resident sent this to the BCCT after a meeting held recently by the M2 Widening Project:
"When I went to the meeting last Friday about vegetation clearing it appeared that they are still making up their mind about what they will do for access. While it seems definite that they will use the original access by the golf course for incoming vehicles there now seems doubt that they will come in or leave at Allerton Road.
"They may try to build a ramp for vehicles to leave the site on the southern side of the M2 back onto Orchard Road where the detention ponds are and not on the footpath they use now.
Mark Hood from Hornsby Council has said that Council is not happy for them to use the footpath and there is also Council land involved if they came in from Allerton Road.
"The Allerton Road option would be a real loss because it would involve the clearing of a swathe of bushland which is in good condition just for a temporary access. It seems very unsatisfactory to me that consent has been given for this project without actually looking at conditions on the ground despite concerns expressed in submissions.
"Also Council are saying they are unaware that the M2 currently use the footpath off Orchard Road as access, something I am somewhat incredulous about as I know it has been a problem that trucks use that track for other bushcarers and residents in that area as well as myself since the M2 opened. It has been the only access available for anyone doing work in that area be it Council, the Water or Electricity authorities or the M2.
"I am hopeful that the Allerton Road option will not go ahead but will have to wait and see."
"When I went to the meeting last Friday about vegetation clearing it appeared that they are still making up their mind about what they will do for access. While it seems definite that they will use the original access by the golf course for incoming vehicles there now seems doubt that they will come in or leave at Allerton Road.
"They may try to build a ramp for vehicles to leave the site on the southern side of the M2 back onto Orchard Road where the detention ponds are and not on the footpath they use now.
Mark Hood from Hornsby Council has said that Council is not happy for them to use the footpath and there is also Council land involved if they came in from Allerton Road.
"The Allerton Road option would be a real loss because it would involve the clearing of a swathe of bushland which is in good condition just for a temporary access. It seems very unsatisfactory to me that consent has been given for this project without actually looking at conditions on the ground despite concerns expressed in submissions.
"Also Council are saying they are unaware that the M2 currently use the footpath off Orchard Road as access, something I am somewhat incredulous about as I know it has been a problem that trucks use that track for other bushcarers and residents in that area as well as myself since the M2 opened. It has been the only access available for anyone doing work in that area be it Council, the Water or Electricity authorities or the M2.
"I am hopeful that the Allerton Road option will not go ahead but will have to wait and see."
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
RTA responds to BCCT Survey
It's not known how much influence the BCCT survey on the Murray Farm Road bridge over the M2 had with the RTA, but it is pleasing to see they have announced in their latest bulletin to locals that they intend to implement the policy that the survey respondents overwhelmingly supported - the bridge will be kept in single lane operation during weekdays, with alternate direction traffic light control.
The RTA state that, necessarily, the bridge will sometimes have to be closed, but this will be some night or weekend closures. Hopefully those closures will hasten completion of the bridge so all restrictions can be removed significantly more quickly than presently forecast!
Weight restrictions preventing buses from crossing the bridge will be enforced at one stage of the widening activity, currently planned for April 2012 through to October 2012. During that period the 553 bus service will have to be re-routed.
The RTA state that, necessarily, the bridge will sometimes have to be closed, but this will be some night or weekend closures. Hopefully those closures will hasten completion of the bridge so all restrictions can be removed significantly more quickly than presently forecast!
Weight restrictions preventing buses from crossing the bridge will be enforced at one stage of the widening activity, currently planned for April 2012 through to October 2012. During that period the 553 bus service will have to be re-routed.
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