Beecroft,_New_South_Wales

Beecroft, New South Wales

Beecroft is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Beecroft is located 22 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. Beecroft is considered to be in the Upper North Shore region.

History

Beecroft was, before its suburban development, orchard country. The railway came through the area in 1886 and Sir Henry Copeland, Minister of Lands, conducted a survey of the area to determine its suitability as a residential area. He named the suburb after the maiden name of his two wives, Hannah and Mary Beecroft, (two sisters he married in succession). Their names are also remembered through the respective naming of the suburb's east/west streets; Hannah Street, Copeland Road and Mary Street. Due to the strength of temperance societies in Beecroft a century ago, there have never been any hotels in Beecroft.

Location

Like much of the surrounding area of Northern Sydney, Beecroft is located on a number of hills and gullies. Its highest point lies along its Northern frontier along Pennant Hills Road and slopes downward toward the South and the East. The slope poses constraints upon the Main Northern Railway Line, with numerous diesel freight trains subject to stalling while travelling uphill.

A number of small creeks flow through into the Lane Cove River, including Devlins Creek and Byall Creek.

Beecroft, with its leafy, tree-lined streets, is unusually reminiscent of a village in the English counties.

Commercial area

The majority of commercial activity conducted in Beecroft is concentrated within a couple of blocks. Although not large by Sydney standards, it is nonetheless important in servicing the suburb and its immediate area, including parts of Cheltenham. The commercial area is located between Beecroft Road and Beecroft railway station. In keeping with the spirit of the traditional heritage, Old English is used throughout as the typeset of the Beecroft Village arcade. Hannah Street, the Suburb's main Commercial Street, underwent a significant beautification upgrade in 2005.

Transport

Beecroft railway station is on the Northern railway line of the CityRail network. In addition to the usual passenger railway traffic, the Main Northern Line also acts as an intercity and freight train thoroghfare passing through Beecroft.Beecroft is also serviced by various bus routes including routes 623 and 635 from Sydney Buses and Hillsbus respectively.

Prior to the construction of the M2 Hills Motorway, Beecroft's main road thoroughfare was commissioned as part of Sydney's Metroad system of major arterial roads and throughways. Beecroft Road was part of the Metroad 2 thoroughfare which took motorists between Sydney's Central Business District and Windsor via the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Epping and Castle Hill.

Like many of the other suburbs of Sydney, most residents of Beecroft are employed outside the immediate area. The most common locations include the Sydney Central Business District, North Sydney, Hornsby, Macquarie Centre (in Macquarie Park), Epping, Chatswood and Parramatta. Some of these links have strengthened in recent years due in part to the construction of the M2 Hills Motorway.

Although no Metro station is planned for Beecroft, the dual-tunnel North West Metro Link, formerly known as the "North-West Rail Link", will pass underneath the suburb. It is due to commence operations in 2015. Planners anticipate that this link may take some pressure off Beecroft traffic flows along Pennant Hills Road and Beecroft Road (as well as feeder roads within Beecroft) by encouraging commuters in adjoining suburbs to use the Metro instead of their cars.

There is also the likelihood that an important Metro surface facility for ventilation, fire extinguishment, storage, amenities and possible emergency egress will need to be constructed somewhere in Beecroft, at or near to the midpoint of the tunnel between Epping and Cherrybrook, to service the long (6km) tunnel between the two stations. Although the specific location and design of this facility have not been finalised, the 13 hectare Chilworth Reserve, which directly straddles the tunnel alignment and in which this midpoint falls, has not yet been ruled out as a location for the facility, particularly as the technical requirements, including maximum distance from stations, is still under consideration, and it not known whether one or two such egress points will be required.

Churches

The Anglican church - formerly the Church of England - was especially prominent in Beecroft society. The suburb itself has three churches within its boundaries; St. John's Anglican (Church of England) Church and Beecroft Uniting Church on Beecroft Road, with Beecroft Presbyterian Church on Mary Street, opposite the school.

Schools

Beecroft has two Primary Schools residing on Beecroft Road, and two other Primary schools, and a High School on the border of Carlingford.

Sport and recreation

Beecroft is also bestowed with a number of recreational facilities within its boundaries. Beecroft is home to the exclusive Pennant Hills Golf Club, as well as a lawn bowls club near the school, a football pitch at Booth Park, a lawn tennis club, as well as general park space at the Village Green, walking trails through Chilworth Reserve and other forested areas.