Lane Cove News Week in Review 29th March to 5 April 2023

Welcome to our week in review.  Wow, we had some rain this week.  The Lane Cove Golf Course always floods when there is a massive downpour.  The Lane Cove Golf Club reported approx 90mm fell on Saturday, 1 April 2023.  The pictures below were published in their newsletter.

Progress Halted on Lane Cove Public School Hall Due to the Lloyd Group being Placed into Voluntary Administration

The Lane Cove, Public School community was advised on 31 March 2023 that construction on their school hall has been halted due to the Lloyd Group (the construction company building the hall) being placed into Voluntary Administration.

The Construction Group building the hall is a Victorian-based company that builds infrastructure for local councils in NSW and Victoria and has completed several projects for both public and private schools In NSW and Victoria.

ITC has looked into the company’s financials and the reasons behind the collapse and also looked at other projects impacted by the collapse of the Lloyd Group (including the Allan Border Oval project in Mosman).  Read more here.

Our Cover Photo features the wonderful hats in the annual Lane Cove Public School Easter Hat Parade.

Longueville Road Upgrades Continue

As most people know by now, the Lane Cove Council are continuing to upgrade the streetscape in Longueville Road to include new flexible outdoor dining options, parklets and seating.

Be aware that limited parking is available on the NAB bank side of Longueville Road. There is street parking on the Longueville Hotel side of Longueville Road.

The photo below was taken on 3 April 2023 at 8 am.

Easter Dumping has Started

Did you know that Easter is a peak DIY period and dumping season? You might be aware that St. Michaels Church had to remove the charity clothes bins from outside their hall due to the dumping. It looks like the bin outside LCM church is the next dumping ground.

There are many ways to dispose of unwanted goods rather than dumping them outside a charity box.

ITC has put together a guide on where you can dispose of, recycle or thoughtfully get rid of your unwanted stuff.

Read our Guide here.

Lane Cove Council In the News

The Sydney Morning Herald published, on 2 April 2023, an article by Andrew Taylor about the proposed Lane Cove Sports and Recreation Facility to be located at the current site of the Lane Cove Golf Club and River Road Tennis Centre – 180 River Road Northwood.

The by-line for the article was: North Shore Council splits community with $75 million sports project.  The article started with:

“A Sydney council is pushing ahead with controversial plans for a $75 million sports complex to combat a chronic shortage of facilities on the north shore.

Lane Cove Council wants to build a new sports and recreation centre at the Lane Cove Golf Course despite opposition from some residents who claim it is too expensive and will cause harm to the environment.”

You can read the article here (it is paywalled).

On Monday night, 3 April 2023, in response to the SMH Article and community concerns and questions about the Lane Cove Sports and Recreation Facility, Mayor Andrew Zbik hosted a Zoom meeting. He answered numerous questions on topics such as:

• possible environmental damage;
• building costs;
• the impact of the Lloyd Group going into voluntary administration;
• Traffic issues relating to the installation of Traffic Lights on the section of River Road near the golf course;
• Lack of public transport to this site (at present, no buses on the weekend service this site).
• Parking Issues – is there enough parking to ensure that parents and players do not park in surrounding streets and safety issues if players/parents have to cross River Road at Northwood, where there are no lights or pedestrian islands);
• Impact on Northwood Road black spot.

In 2016 In the Cove asked Lane Cove Council to provide a list of the Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Black Spots in Lane Cove.  You can read the full article here.  We also wrote an article on the Northwood Black Spot here in October 2022. You can read it here.

Mayor Zbik gave a briefing on the issues and prepared numerous videos, which you can access here.

Proposed Traffic Lights Update from Mayor Zbik

As mentioned in In the Cove last week, the proposed centre will be accessed via a set of traffic lights on River Road – it is now planned there will be a dedicated right turn lane into the proposed centre if you are heading from Greenwich to Lane Cove via River Road.

Instead of two lanes starting on River Road (after you have driven past Greenwich School ad Greenwich Hospital), River Road will split into two lanes after the entrance to the proposed Sport and Recreation Facility (which is currently the entrance to the Lane Cove Golf Club).  The Lane Cove Council have an in principle approval for the lights but they are working with Transport for NSW to finalise them.  There is no indication of when Transport for NSW will approve the plans.

Public Transport Update from Mayor Zbik (including Coaster Buses)

Mayor Zbik stated in the Zoom conference and on his website:

“Council remains confident to expect TfNSW will consider an increase in bus services to meet expected demand.”

Council has previously had success in advocating for increased bus services to:

• Lane Cove North
• Lane Cove interchange via Epping Road
• Lane Cove West industrial area”

As readers of In the Cove will be aware, advocating for more buses to service the Lane Cove region takes time and a considerable amount of effort (do you remember the time ITC arranged for Antony Roberts and members of Transport for NSW to ride a bus in Lane Cove to see commuters lined up at bus stops between Lane Cove West and the Lane Cove Interchange – if not you can read the background here).

In 2016, ITC wrote the following article about increased bus services for Lane Cove North and the Lane Cove Industrial Estate – read more here.

There is also now the added complication that Busways operate Lane Cove Buses. Since the change from buses operated by state government bus drivers to buses operated by Busways, commuters have been frustrated by service cancellations and reduced timetables.  Read more here.

After the Zoom conference, ITC spoke to Mayor Andrew Zbik, who said he would write to the new Minister for Transport raising the issue that more buses will need to service the proposed facility.  ITC also asked him to raise with the Minister the Busways service issues that have impacted the Lane Cove bus services.

Coaster Buses

Mayor Zbik mentioned that the Lane Cove Council would look at implementing coaster buses to service the proposed facility. He mentioned the Artarmon Loop bus as an example of coaster buses when Sydney Buses cannot meet the demand.  Unfortunately, due to long-term low patronage, the Loop Bus and Artarmon Loop services were discontinued on 30 June 2022.  

The Hop Skip and Jump coaster bus, which operates in Manly, was under threat due to the cost of running the services.  This service has survived but not without a fight – read this article in the Manly Observer.

The NSW Passenger Transport Act 1990 does not permit operators of coaster bus operators to charge for their services.  This issue has been discussed numerous times at Lane Cove Council meetings, and Lane Cove Council has previously advocated for a change in government policy.

If more bus services are not provided by Sydney Buses, then unless there is an amendment to the legislation, the coaster buses may need to be funded by Lane Cove Council.  Mayor Zbik mentioned that he hopes this legislation will be amended due to the change in the State Government.

Below is an extract from a Lane Cove Council Minutes of Meeting in March 2012. 

Next Steps relating to the Development Application Lodged by Lane Cove Council for Sports and Recreation Facility

The Sydney North Planning Panel will determine the Sports and Recreation Facility Development Application.  At this stage, there could be a panel meeting in May 2023 – this panel meeting is where members of the community can make submissions on the Development Application.  The Sydney North Planning Panel is the panel responsible for approving the DA.

Lane Cove Council briefed the SNPP on 15 March 2023.   See the Briefing Note below.

A site inspection was held on 22 March 2023.  A site inspection report is below.

Lane Cove Locals In the News

SBS Urdu featured Lane Cove Local Rayaan in their article Breaking fasts and building community: Free iftar dinners served at local mosques

An extract from the article is below, but please hit the link and read the entire SBS Urdu article about Rayann.

“Ramadan is the month of caring and thinking about others,” Rayaan says, “…and it gives me immense pleasure to share food with others today in the mosque.”

News Crews in Lane Cove Plaza

On Tuesday Morning, hours before the Reserve Bank met to discuss interest rates, both Channel 7 and Sky News were in the Lane Cove Plaza asking locals for their views on interest rates.

You can watch the Sky News video here (to see if you know anyone who was interviewed).

Lane Cove Business Alerts

Two Jays Burgers Closed

Two Jays Burger in The Village Shopping Centre (across the road from Harris Farm) has closed due to staff shortages. They have been unable to find enough staff for their operations on the lower North Shore. They closed late last week.

Lane Cove Thai Eatery

The old Two Jays Burger bar will not be vacant for long. A new Thai restaurant called Lane Cove Thai Eatery will open in Lane Cove in the Village Shopping Centre near NiBu Cafe. The owners already own a Thai restaurant in Potts Point called Llankelly Thai. We will let you know when they are opening – You can also follow their Instagram page so you can find out when they are opening.

Some sample dishes are below.

La Provence

You may have noticed that La Provence was closed for renovations a month ago. The business also has a new owner – Barry. La Provence is located on Burns Bay Road (not far from The Burns Bay Bookery).

On 3 April 2023, ITC visited nearly every cafe and restaurant, grocer etc., in the Lane Cove Village to find out what days they are open during the Easter Break and by the time I got to La Provence, let’s say I was a bit tired, hot and exhausted – Barry took one look at me and said, please have some water.!!!

Once Barry and the team have settled in – we will catch up with them and see their plans for La Provence. They have a new coffee supplier ONA.

They are open every day during Easter – hours may change slightly, but they will be ready for your coffee fix.

Below are Eliza, Barry and Moto – the La Provence Team.

Second Photo Source: ONA Maple

Organica

Organica has opened at St Leonard’s Square.

ITC only learned about this new business by a fluke – we were walking past it.

Organic has cafes already in Leichhardt and Concord. They describe the business as follows:

“Cafe – Patisserie – Mediterranean Restaurant – Functions – Catering

Come visit us and explore our Homemade Mediterranean

Cuisine and Freshly Made Cakes, Inspired

From Authentic Recipes passed on through

Generations.”

Is this a Business situated in Lane Cove? You may or may not know that St Leonards Square is located in the Lane Cove Council area (nearly on the edge of the council area where three council areas merge!!). It is part of the area called St Leonards South (which at one time was also referred to as East Greenwich).

We wrote about St Leonards Square after it first opened – we will update this article (when we get time -it’s hard to keep on top of it all), but the article has details about parking and how you get there. Read the article here.

New Coles and More parking in St Leonards 

On 22 March 2023, a new Coles opened at Mall 88 at 88 Christie Street, St Leonards.

According to Shopping Centre News:

“Set to be a lifestyle destination for both locals and visitors, Mall 88 provides an open air plaza and dining precinct, with a combination of cafés, alfresco dining and a laneway eat-street, in addition to a public library and medical centre, across four floors, in the heart of St Leonards.

As the centrepiece of recently completed 88 by JQZ development, Mall 88 is the area’s first modern retail precinct that incorporates a civic plaza and public library, according to Colliers’ Managing Director of Real Estate Management, Julia Batterley.”

Coles Supermarket is the anchor tenant.

The Car Park located in Mall 88 is a Lane Cove Council-owned car park with EV charging and free parking for up to two hours. It will also be parking for Wadanggari Park, speciality stores and the new St Leonards Library, due to open later this year.

The access to the car park is via Lithgow Street.

This arrangement is similar to the Lane Cove Market Square layout – Lane Cove Council operates the Car Park but is not involved in the leasing and operation of Lane Cove Market Square.   The Canopy is fully owned and operated by Lane Cove Council.

It’s Tough For Local Business

As reported last week, our local businesses are struggling with staff shortages – see our article on Joyce at Bakers Delight Lane Cove.

Local Businesses are also facing increased raw materials costs and wage increases.   It is not uncommon to see a notice like the one below in local cafes.

If you are in a position to support them, please shop locally in the Lane Cove Council Area. ITC can put her hand on her heart and say we have not shopped in Macquarie or Chatswood for a long time (only visited to go to the Movies).

This year, more cafes and restaurants are closing for the entire Easter Break or closing on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  They need a holiday, and the costs associated with an opening on Public Holidays are higher than the revenue raised if they stayed open.

Click more here for trading hours in Lane Cove during the Easter Holidays.

Lane Cove Events

The Stringybark Creek Residents Association and Lane Cove Council jointly organised the Wild About Lane Cove event on Sunday, 2 April 2023. The family-friendly event featured a wildlife show and a free BBQ.

The wet weather could not keep the kids (and the grown-ups) away. Over 100 locals braved the weather to enjoy learning more about the wildlife living in the Stringy Bark Creek area.

It also launched Lane Cove Council’s Wild About Lane Cove photo competition.

Please find out more in our article here.

Clean Energy Community Fair

Last Sunday, ITC attended the Clean Energy Community Fair held at North Sydney Leagues and hosted by the Federal Member for North Shore, Kylea Tink.  The Fair featured stallholders who are all working towards sustainability and reducing emissions.

Kylea Tink summed up the event as follows:

“Thank you to all volunteers, attendees, keynote speakers, councils, sponsors, exhibitors, and Norths Cammeray for supporting last weekend’s inaugural Clean Energy Community Fair. Together, we will achieve Net Zero Energy emissions across North Sydney by 2035.

Despite the rain, more than 300 people attended to hear from local councils and our inspiring speakers: Saul Griffith, significant architect of the Inflation Reduction Act in the USA and author of Electrify Everything; Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes; Kristen MacDonald from Electrify 2515 (one of the first communities to mobilise towards the Net Zero goal); Ursula Hogben from Zero Emissions North Sydney; and many others who have dedicated themselves to the net zero transition.

With 17 EVs, two electric motorbikes and four e-bikes on display, as well as BBQs powered by electric vehicles, the whole experience was — as one attendee enthusiastically put it — “mind-blowing”.

Ultimately the key take out was clear: getting our homes and communities to net zero in the coming decade will save not only the planet but also our household budgets. According to recent research by Domain, there is a $125,000 premium on the sale price of houses with solar and sustainable features and a $72,000 premium for apartments. That’s way more than the cost of efficiency and electrification upgrades.”

ITC attended the fair in my capacity as co-founder of The Sydney Library of Things – Why Buy When You Can Borrow?

The Sydney Library of Things is like a toy library (more about that soon) but instead of books and toys, it lends out everyday household items like kitchen appliances, camping stuff, and party items.

Co-Founders Carol Skyring and Bridget Kennedy made bunting from recycled Lane Cove Council banners at the fair.  The Bunting will be available to borrow from The Sydney Library of Things. You can borrow a sewing machine and make some yourself.

Representatives from Willoughby City Council, Lane Cove Council and Hunters Hill Council council environment teams were also at the fair.

Lane Cove Council launched the Sustainability Collective at the Fair. Lane Cove Council is forming a collaborative group to help connect and empower the community to live more sustainably.

Whether you live, work or play in Lane Cove, Lane Cove Council invites locals to join the Sustainability Collective.

The group will meet quarterly to guide progress and build capacity. You can decide how much time you can commit between meetings to events and other activities decided on by the group.

Register your interest to join the group.  Lane Cove Council will provide more information on this soon, and we will let you know when we can.

Have Your Say on What Happens Next at 14 Gay Street Lane Cove

As reported last week, Lane Cove Council bought a 2,801 square meter block to bolster its bushland portfolio.  The block is located at 14 Gay Street, Lane Cove North, and was purchased as part of the Council’s Bushland Expansion Program and connects to the existing Stringybark Creek Reserve.  The property includes mature trees, such as Sydney Blue Gums, Sydney Red Gums, Blackbutts, and Turpentines.  The property backs onto the Harry Howard bushwalk area – read our article here.

The land is currently in a residential zone with an Environmental Protection Layer.

At the Lane Cove Council March 2023 Meeting, Lane Cove Council resolved to undertake consultation regarding Council’s intention to classify the recently acquired property at 14 Gay Street as operational land pending further investigation on its future use and management.

The operational rezoning is stated to be an interim arrangement.

Below is an extract from the Lane Cove Council’s Website Have Your Say Section:

“Council now needs to determine the future use and management of the property. The key option for consideration by Council is whether to subdivide a portion of the front of the property to partially recover the acquisition cost or to retain the whole site as open space bushland. The retention of the whole site would incur further cost to Council due to the required demolition of the existing property which is currently uninhabited.

Alternatively, the potential sub-division of the portion of the land facing Gay Street lends itself to continued residential occupation albeit on a smaller parcel that does not impact the natural bushland, whilst simultaneously delivering a contiguous strip of bushland inside the established Stringybark Creek Reserve that delivers considerable community benefit.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED LAND CLASSIFICATION

In accordance with Section 34 of the Local Government Act 1993, Lane Cove Council hereby gives formal notice of the following proposed resolution to classify the parcel of land recently purchased by Council and specified in the Schedule below as ‘Operational Land’.

Proposed Resolution:

“That Lane Cove Council classify the recently acquired property 14 Gay Street, Lane Cove, Lot A DP 360196 as operational land, pursuant to s31 of the Local Government Act 1993”

Schedule – Description of Land:

14 Gay Street, Lane Cove, NSW, 2066 (Folio Identifier A/360196)

Have Your Say

To have your say on the Proposed Resolution, please submit to the General Manager by quoting SU9252 by:-

email: [email protected] or,

post: Lane Cove Council, PO BOX 20, LANE COVE, NSW, 1595

Submissions must be received by 5 pm Friday 5 May 2023.

Related Documents

Late Agenda of Ordinary Council – Thursday, 23 March 2023″

Lane Cove Council has rezoned land to operational land before.  On 15 April 2013, Lane Cove Council resolved to support a planning proposal for 266 Longueville Road to enable the rezoning of land from RE1 Public Recreation to R4 High-Density Residential and reclassify the land from community to operational land.  Read the background here. 

Lane Cove Sport

The winter sports season has started, and not even the rain could stop the first AFL Auskick session held by the Lane Cove Cats Junior AFL Club.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IN THE COVE Lane Cove News (@inthecove)

School Holidays

School holidays are nearly here. As you know, activities book up VERY fast! We have a list of local activities to make your kid’s break fun and exciting!  Find out about the activities here.

Housekeeping After the End of Daylight Saving

According to the NSW Department of Justice website, Daylight Saving officially ended at 3 am, Eastern Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, 2 April 2023.

The end of Daylight Saving is a good time for Fire and Rescue NSW to draw attention to some “housekeeping” matters like checking your smoke detector. Here are tips on ensuring your house is ready for winter.

The 2023 Royal Easter Show Ticket Winners Announced

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition (as you know, ITC loves a comp). The entrants were asked to tll us in 25 Words or Less their Favourite Feature on the ITC Website or Social Media Platforms and why.  Our week in review articles was consistently named as one of your favourite features.  We only intended to award first prize, but we were lucky enough to be able to hand out runner up prizes.

The Winners were:

1st Prize – Troy Graham – Lane Cove North

Runner Up – Rachel Zarate – Lane Cove West

Runner Up – Nicole Charles – Lane Cove

Congratulations to the winners, and a big Thank You to The Royal Agriculture Society for the tickets.

If you need any info on the Royal Easter Show – check out their website here https://www.eastershow.com.au/

A few people have asked us where to catch a bus to the Royal Easter Show – Event Buses operate, and the ITC family usually catch the Bus from opposite the Hunters Hill Hotel. You Take the Number 2 Bus, which takes you straight out to the showgrounds. Your ticket includes the public transport fee.

The event bus map is below, and further info on how to get to the Royal Easter Show is here.

Find out more about the show here.

Incident, Accident and Crime Watch

House Fire Bridge Street 

You may have heard numerous sirens on Thursday, 30 March 2023, around 11 pm.

On Friday, 31 March 2023, NSW Police began door-knocking around Bridge Street, Trouve Street and River Road Lane Cove, asking for CCTV footage to assist with an investigation.

Several readers contacted us asking if ITC had any information about the investigation.

We have been liaising with the Police Media Unit and also trying to contact the Fire and Rescue NSW for information.

At this stage, the following is the only information released.

A Police Media Spokesperson advised:

“At about 11.11 pm yesterday (Thursday, 30 March 2023), emergency services attended Bridge Street, Lane Cove following reports of a house fire.

The blaze was extinguished, and no injuries have been reported.

Officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command have commenced an investigation into the cause of the fire.”

The Police Media Unit has advised that no further information is available at this stage – we will continue to monitor this investigation.

Accidents at Bridge St/River Road West

Regarding accident blackspots, Bridge Street/River Road West bend is always dangerous during wet weather.  Lane Cove Council applied an anti-slip surface to assist in wet weather a few years ago.

A spokesperson for the Lane Cove Council advised that:

“Work has been scheduled to resurface the bend in the next few months, although an exact date is to be confirmed.”

ITC posted the following on the  In the Cove Facebook page on 1st April 2023:

“Our roving reporters have told ITC that in the last 30 mins, there have been two accidents on River Road. One of the accidents is at the River Road Bend near Bridge Street Lane Cove.

A roving reporter told us the following about an accident at River Road:

Residents stepped up, offering shelter and traffic control. They were prepared with traffic vests, they said they’re often out in the rain..

ITC advocated for this stretch of road to have an anti-slip surface on this stretch of road – it might time to reapply this antislip surface.

Be careful with the rain and slow down and drive to conditions.”

Our article published in 2017 gives a background to the accidents on this bend.

Another article published in 2017 announcing the upgrade here.

Drive Safely This Easter Period

Double Demerit Points

Double Demerit Points apply from Thursday, 6 April to Monday, 10 April 2023.

The next double demerit period will be for the ANZAC Day public holiday. ANZAC Day falls on Tuesday, 25 April 2023, and double demerits will be in place over the weekend leading up to ANZAC Day from Friday, 21 April, to Tuesday, 25 April 2023.

Be careful on Monday, 24 April 2023, as school zones will operate during a double demerit period.

Reckless Drivers Targetted

The NSW Police issued the following media release:

Reckless drivers will be the focus of this long weekend’s traffic operation, as police prepare to keep the roads safe this Easter.

NSW Police will launch Operation Easter 2023 – a highly-visible police traffic operation focussing on reducing road fatalities and trauma this holiday weekend.

The five-day operation will begin at 12.01am tomorrow (Thursday 6 April 2023) and run until 11:59pm on Monday 10 April 2023, with double demerits in place throughout.

The operation will specifically target the major factors contributing to road trauma; being excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmets, and mobile phone use.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, said substantial police resources have been assigned to the operation as road trauma remains a matter of significant concern.

“This Easter, our officers will be out and about doing their best to keep the roads safe so that everyone can arrive to their destinations in time for a wonderful weekend with loved ones.

“The message is simple; drive to the speed limit, focus on the road – not your phone, and make sure you have a plan B if you are drinking.

“For the last two years, we’ve seen seven fatalities on the road each Easter long weekend. The goal this year is to reduce that number,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said.

Transport for NSW Head of Transport Safety Peter Dunphy said there are simple steps everyone can take to make sure we all arrive safely to our destinations this long weekend.

“If you are driving this long weekend, even if it’s a short trip, give yourself plenty of travel time, wear your seatbelt or helmet if you’re on a motorbike, stay under the speed limit, put your phone away and never drink or drug drive,” Mr Dunphy said.

“Please remember that Thursday (6 April) is a school day and there will still be kids around, so school zones will be active so make sure you slow down and take extra care around schools.”

“With roads expected to be very busy, you can also plan ahead by checking the Live Traffic NSW App for the latest updates or our journey planning tool https://www.myjourneynsw.info/.”

Week in Review Sponsor – Subaru North Shore

In 2023 we welcomed Subaru North Shore as an ITC sponsor.

This is their welcome message to ITC readers.