Local History and Association Achievements

BCPRA, established in 1907, is one of the oldest continuously active local community groups

  • 1885

    In the early days of European settlement a wharf was built at Church Point to service the flourishing orchards and poultry farms on the mainland and western shores.

  • 1893

    The earliest records of a Progress Association are linked to the appointment of a Constable to the area. 

  • 1898

    Bayview residents considered that Church Point wharf was too far away for moving their produce to market and successfully lobbied for a new wharf at Bayview. It was built in a then common but now rare earthen groyne/wharf combination and reached 140 feet into the bay.

  • 1907

    The formation of Bayview Church Point Progress Association was officially reported in the Sydney Morning Herald.

  • 1915

    The original Bayview Baths were built on the western side of the groyne/wharf and moved some years later to the eastern side. From the earliest days the baths have functioned as a community hub.

  • 1920

    The Governor General opened the Aquatic Club. Later, with the nearest hospital being in Manly, this became an Ambulance Station.

  • 1930’s

    Electricity and town water were introduced to the area along with a regular bus service connecting Manly to Church Point.

  • 1964

    With the opening of the Mona Vale Hospital, the Ambulance Station became the home of the 1st Bayview Sea Scouts.

  • 1980’s

    Lobbying by the Association and local residents prevented the in-filling of all the bays and inlets between Mona Vale and Church Point, part of a plan to build of a four lane highway (to nowhere).

  • 1993

    The Progress Association was incorporated as a non-profit community organisation and adopted a new constitution.

  • 2005

    The name was changed to become Bayview Church Point Residents Association with its primary aim to be a relevant voice for local residents.

  • 2009

    Church Point Plan of Management

  • 2016

    Bayview baths centenary celebration

  • 2018

    Church Point parking station road widening and new sea wall

  • 2019

    BCPRA obtained a NSW Government Community Building Partnership Grant which enabled construction of stairs linking Bayview Heights to Church Point. See details below.

  • 2020

    Following community concerns and surveys the Association lobbied for the introduction of traffic calming measures along McCarrs Creek Road.

Walkway Officially Opened 2019

In 2017 BCPRA obtained a NSW Government Community Building Partnership Grant which in partnership with Northern Beaches Council enabled planning for, and construction of, the stairs connecting Bayview Heights with Church Point.  

The walkway, comprising 45 metres of stairs plus 30 metres of boardwalk, provides emergency access to Church Point for a Bayview Heights area from which it was previously inaccessible.  Given the steep and challenging site, contractors Fleetwood Urban utilised a range of innovative techniques to ensure minimal ecological impact.

After major bank stabilisation and landscaping was completed, the walkway was officially opened on 28 May 2019 by Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan and BCPRA President Roberta Conroy.  It now provides a safe link from Bayview Heights to the Church Point shops and transport.