Autumn Walk

Just a reminder that the Autumn Walk will be on 14 April.  All welcome.

Annual General Meeting

Some 80 residents attended the BCCT's Annual General Meeting on 25 March at the Cheltenham Recreation Club.
MP Greg Smith came and attempted to explain why the Liberal Government is going ahead with the single decker narrow tunnel solution for the North West Rail Link, though not all were convinced.
Councillors Robert Browne, Michael Hutchence, Bernadette Azzizi, and Mick Gallagher attended.
James Farrington and two members of the planning group at Hornsby Shire Council gave a presentation on the DCP and what we can expect when the Beecroft Shopping Village is developed.  There were many unanswered questions, particularly about parking requirements for shoppers and conflicts with rail commuters who park around the village.
The present committee members were all reelected except for David Clark who did not stand for re-election, and Colin Johnstone was elected in his place.

NWRL Presentation By Eco Transit

The Trust has arranged a presentation by Eco Transit at the Cheltenham Recreation Club on Monday 29 April starting 7pm, to show Eco Transit's email criticising the State Government's plan to go "single decker" using narrow diameter tunnels for the North West Rail Link.  All welcome, come and hear what is happening in your state and consider!

Pools to ponds - Free Seminar 24th March

If you have an unwanted or unused swimming pool in your backyard this could be the program for you. Why not join other pool to pond converts and go with an eco-friendly, cost effective alternative that promotes biodiversity?
Ku-ring-gai Council has assisted local residents in converting their unwanted swimming pools into ponds since 2007 by supplying native fish, aquatic plants and technical advice for the conversion. This is now open to Hornsby Council residents so come along to this seminar and find out more.
Venue: Council Chambers
Location: 296 Pacific Highway, Hornsby
Time: 10-11.30am
Cost: Free / just turn up
Contact: Danielle
Phone: 9847 6832
stay for a cuppa and a chat afterwards

ETTT Information Sessions

The ETTT invites you to Community Information meetings:
Saturday 6 April 10:00am to 12:00 noon, Beecroft Station Gardens (adjacent to the playground) and
Tuesday 9 April 5pm to 7pm Cheltenham Recreation Club 60-74 The Crescent Cheltenham.

Module DA Speakers at BCCT AGM

The Module DA agents who had proposed to give a presentation at the AGM (as in our last bulletin) now apologise that they are not ready to do this yet.  Instead we have arranged two speakers from the HSC Planning Department to speak about the Development Control Plan, and will hold a Special General Meeting later in the year when the Module DA people are ready to speak.

Review of Tree Preservation Order - BCCT Letter to HSC

The General Manager

Hornsby Shire Council

PO Box 37

Hornsby NSW 1630

Attention Mr Peter Kemp

Manager Parks & Recreation

Re Review of Tree Preservation Order

Dear Sir,

The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust wishes to thank Council for the opportunity to be involved in the review of the current Tree Preservation Order.

The Trust acknowledges that whilst a large portion of the 2119 post code area enjoys protection of all trees located in the Heritage Conservation Area we still have concerns with regard to the removal of trees throughout the Shire that are not indigenous to overall LGA.

Our concerns are:

1. Tree removal due to deliberate wrongful identification of tree species to gain a favourable outcome e.g a Blue gum or Blackbutt identified prior to removal as a Lemon Scented Gum or Spotted Gum. The Trust sees the only way to address this problem is that all trees are protected until either the Council or an authorised Registered Consultant Arborist recommend removal. The cost of the identification / inspection should be paid by the applicant.

1. Large healthy mature trees for example Oak, Elm, Liquidambar and Cedrus that make a significant contribution to the landscape amenity within a neighbourhood can be removed without consent whilst a short lived Green Wattle growing near by requires consent to be removed.

1. The removal of trees not indigenous to the Hornsby Shire results in loss of habitat, feeding opportunities for native birds especially those of the parrot family, reduced solar control, and loss of seasonal variation throughout our urban and rural communities.

1. The BCCT suggests that Council give consideration to a two part TPO. One section covering the rural areas within the shire and another for the urban precincts within the Hornsby LGA.

The Trust urges Council to consider adopting the Ku- ring- gai Council model that a development should support a specific number of trees based on the lot area. Preference should be given to planting species indigenous to the locality. This should also apply to development sites where trees are approved for removal as it would ensure that suitable replacements are planted to offset tree loss.

As a result of community feedback since the introduction of the current TPO the Trust is of the view that all trees irrespective of species growing throughout the Shire that display mature adult characteristics that are considered to be in good condition and make a contribution to the landscape and visual amenity within the locality should be preserved.

In conclusion the BCCT urges Council to give serious consideration to the matters raised with regard to preserving this valuable asset, which is enjoyed by our residents, friends and visitors to Hornsby Shire.

Yours faithfully,

Secretary

BCCT