A big week in Lane Cove with some major announcements, a fiery Lane Cove Council meeting and the first day of Kindergarten for many Lane Cove kids.
Notorious Lane Cove Black Spot to be Upgraded (aka the Diddy Corner)
The Longueville Road, River Road West and Kenneth Street intersection will be upgraded. Member for Lane Cove, the Hon Anthony Roberts and Mayor Pam Palmer announced the NSW Government and Lane Cove Council will each contribute $1million in funding to improve the safety of this intersection. Around 22,000 vehicles travel through the intersection each day.
The works will include installing a dedicated right turn lane for motorists continuing their journey onto Longueville Road towards Lane Cove Village as well as introducing a right turn option onto River Road West from Longueville Road.
Pam Palmer said, “Lane Cove Council has worked with RMS on an improved design for this very complex and busy intersection. Council is committed to safer roads in Lane Cove and everyone who uses this busy section of our road network will benefit.”
The plan below is a draft concept plan. To make the intersection safer land will be resumed from the Diddy, however the two bowling greens will remain.
Lane Cove Public Transport
Lane Cove commuters have been frustrated by the overcrowded buses to and from the city to Lane Cove. The impact of the Epping to Chatswood Train Line closing is now being felt in Lane Cove. ITC asked Transport for NSW to advise what plans they had in place to ensure buses did not arrive at the Lane Cove Interchange full. This is the unsatisfactory response we received below:
“Since 2017, Transport for NSW has introduced hundreds of extra weekly bus trips to service customers in the Lane Cove area.
In September 2018, we implemented a raft of measures to keep customers moving during the temporary closure of the Epping to Chatswood rail line, including adding more than 200 weekly bus trips – most operating between Macquarie Park and the City via Lane Cove interchange – as well as extra Lane Cove services.
This capacity boost included additional peak and shoulder peak services on City services and improved contra-peak services towards Macquarie Park on the following routes:
· 251 Lane Cove West – City
· 253 Riverview – City
· 285 Lane Cove West (Mars Rd) – City
· 288 Epping – City via North Ryde
· 292 Marsfield – City via Mowbray Road
· 293 Marsfield – City
· 294 Macquarie University – City via Epping Road.
Customers in Lane Cove benefitted from around 250 additional weekly bus services as part of the Growth Services program in November 2017.
This included additional services on routes 251, 285 and 292, providing more peak hour services to and from the Sydney CBD.
And in June 2017, customers benefitted from 450 additional weekly bus trips, including new route 530 (Burwood to Chatswood) and extension of route 252 to and from Gladesville.
Of the 96 buses used by State Transit to service the 292 route, 35 of these are articulated. This is the same number as 2018. [ITC note: feedback from ITC followers is the articulated buses are not running Lane Cove during peak time]
There are many factors that influence travel behaviours and demand for services across the Sydney transport network, including population changes, development activity, time of year (for example school holidays), major events and even weather conditions.
The Lane Cove area has seen an increase in residential and commercial development activity in recent years. This combined with the return to school period – a traditionally busy time on the transport network – has had a compounding effect on demand for bus services.
Transport for NSW continually monitors customer demand and growth, as well as travel patterns, in order to deliver services where they are most needed.”
Racism
An article was published in this week’s North Shore Times about Longueville resident Dr Anita Alexander and her experiences of living in Lane Cove. It takes courage to come forward and raise the issue of racism in a public forum. You can read the article here.
Unfortunately this is not the first time we have heard racism claims. In 2016 ITC was contacted by a resident who was upset about people making remarks about her decision a head scarf (see our article here https://inthecove.com.au/2016/05/06/say-no-to-rascism/).
Lane Cove Council Extraordinary Meeting
The Lane Cove Council held an extraordinary meeting on Monday 4th February to discuss the Draft St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan. Twenty Seven speakers addressed the councillors with nearly all residents expressing a high level of dissatisfaction with the plan.
Concerns raised by residents included:
- The density, bulk and scale of the proposed changes in building heights and floor-to-space ratios;
- The impact of development on traffic flow, parking and accessibility;
- Overshadowing of new buildings upon other buildings and green open space;
- The overemphasis of residential development at the expense of commercial development;
- Lack of infrastructure details (when will a new school be built, how does this impact Royal North Shore hospital and public transport); and
- The lack of open recreational space that includes use for sporting activities and sporting facilities.
Major Development Plans for HomeHQ Artarmon
Lane Cove does not have a a whitegoods and general small appliances retailer. This means Home HQ is a popular shopping spot for Lane Cove residents. Plans were released this week to significantly upgrade the centre and include more dining options. Read more here
Trees Continue to Fall
We are leafy Lane Cove and we continue to see large trees and branches falling down. A huge tree fell on Burns Bay road and on Friday morning two big tree branches came down in different areas of Lane Cove West.
Lunar New Year
The Lane Cove Plaza was packed on Friday night. The Lunar New Year celebrations in Lane Cove are always popular and the kids loved the Lion Dance. About 15 minutes after the Lion Dance finished, a huge storm hit Sydney. (See cover photo).
Crime
At about 4am on Monday morning a gang was spotted walking up Carranya Road Riverview with torches and their faces covered. They were then seen going into houses. The Police were called and despite a search they did not find the gang. They did manage to steal some items from a car. A reminder to ensure your cars are locked and you do not leave anything valuable in your cars.
Be Careful
A student was walking home from Riverview and stepped on a storm water plate (you see heaps of them embedded into footpaths in Lane Cove). The cover collapsed and he had to have 11 stitches in hospital. Just be aware that they may not be as sturdy as they look. The one that collapsed was on Tambourine Bay Road near the entrance to the school.
Back to School
Kindergarten kids started at school on Monday and Lane Cove Plaza was packed with parents. For the month of February our home page includes a special Back to School section.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Have a wonderful Local Valentine’s Day this week. If you are look for local dining options and gifts just click here.
Upcoming Events
If you love Ru Paul’s Drag Race, then you are going to love Portia Turbo in Drag Bingo at the Lane Cove Golf Club on Thursday 21st February 2019. Grab some friends and have a fab time. This is not for kiddies MA+. Balls Drop at 7pm so come along and grab a drink at club prices and have a belly laugh. A $5.00 cover charge applies. Due to the level of interest in this event bookings are essential book here https://www.trybooking.com/BAPXA Tickets are selling fast.
Coming Soon
In Mach 2019 Fit Lane Cove will soon be launching Exhale by Fit Lane Cove. This will be a brand new Lifestyle Studio, a dedicated Yoga, Pilates, Meditation and Barre Studio for its members. A unique urban sanctuary where our members will experience over 8 different styles of classes to discover the complete Mind and Body experience.
FIT Lane Cove invites you to experience their latest studio by registering for an Exhale 2 week membership here. Claiming this membership will give you full access to the Exhale studio as well as the entire club.
This week in review is sponsored by Mindchamps Lane Cove
If you work at Lane Cove West Business Park or have kids at Lane Cove West Public School you might want to look at Mindchamps Lane Cove.
A message from Mindchamps Lane Cove:
“Still looking for Child Care Centre for your child? Look no further and have total peace of mind by enrolling with MindChamps Early Learning @ Lane Cove.⠀
Enjoy 2 weeks complimentary if you enrol before March 31st, 2019! *Terms and Conditions apply.
The leading pre-school in Singapore, MindChamps is now bringing its unique approach to Early Learning down under, with 12 centres now open across Sydney with one right in the heart of Lane Cove⠀
Our educators undergo up to 200 hours of training in our trademarked and proven curriculum programmes, including our leading Reading Programme MindChamps’ unique 3-Minds Movement nurtures children in the ‘how to learn’ rather than the ‘what to learn’, and offers the very best preparation for young minds from the Early Years to School and beyond⠀
To discover the MindChamps difference, contact Parent Liaison Manager – Sarah 0423 732 719 or visit https://au.mindchamps.org/early-learning/book-a-visit/
Do you have a local issue you would like help with? ITC is here to help just email us at [email protected]
- Sign up for the weekly In the Cove Newsletter
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram @inthecove
- Tweet us on Twitter @InTheCoveITC
- Pin us on Pinterest inthecoveITC
- Tell your friends about ITC (they will thank you!). Remember to tell them that ITC is a website and they do not have to have access to any Social Media to enjoy ITC – we often speak to people who tell us they want to follow ITC but don’t have Facebook or Instagram account (you don’t need them)
