Lane Cove News Week in Review 1st to 7th June 2023

Welcome to our week in review. Lane Cove woke up to a very foggy morning on Saturday, 3 June 2023.  The fog was so bad, Sydney Ferries were cancelled for a couple of hours.  The photo below was taken at Blackman Park on early Saturday morning.

The Gai-mariagal Festival 2023 and Children’s Voice for Reconciliation

The Gai-mariagal Festival was founded in 2001 and aims to raise awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region. Festival events include workshops, art exhibitions, performances, films, talks and more.

The Gai-mariagal Festival takes place around the following significant dates:

• Sorry Day 26th May;
• National Reconciliation Week 27 May- 3 June; and
• NAIDOC Week 3-10 July.

Find out more about other events during the Gai-mariagal Festival here.

Festival Events include the Children’s Voices for Reconciliation, an event which started in 1997 with children from Redfern Public School and Lane Cove Public School and finger buns provided by Bakers Delight Lane Cove ( the wonderful Joyce yet again).  On 1st June, children from around the lower north shore performed at The Canopy.

The following preschools, primary schools and secondary schools participated.

Lane Cove Public School Dreaming Poles

This week, Lane Cove Public School invited international award-winning Aboriginal Artist and Aboriginal Elder Walangari to the school.

Teachers Helen Bucciol and Kirsty Dreverman have been working with students on an Eco Learning Hub project.

On 6 June 2023, students from Years 5 and 6 worked with Walangari to paint Dreaming Poles. Students had to plan and tell a story through their painting.

The Dreaming Poles can be seen from Austin Street.

Lane Cove Public School Parent Darren Simpson (owner of Multistyle Painting & Decorating) undercoated the Dreaming Poles and supplied all the paint for the project.

Last Chance to Have Your Say on Lane Cove Council’s Budget – Submission Close Tonight, 7 June 2023

Get involved and have your say on how Lane Cove Council spends your rates.

Would you like to have a say on how they are spent? Have you ever thought that Lane Cove Council has been charging too much for service? Would you like to have a say on Lane Cove’s fees and charges?

Guess what? You can!! Each year the Lane Cove council releases their budget papers which set out the programmes they will be undertaking in the next financial year and also how your rates money will be spent.

We have put together some info for you to enable you to provide comments on Lane Cove’s plans for the upcoming year – so get involved and make some comments – usually, the only people who comment are ITC and the Greenwich Community Association. You may have a bright idea that Lane Cove Council has not thought about, which could be included in their next operational plan.

Details on how you can have your say here.

Lane Cove Events

Heartbeats for Xav – Fundraiser 

On Sunday, 4 Jun 2023, a fundraiser was held at the Longueville Sporting Club (aka The Diddy) to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in fit young people.   As well as being a fundraiser, it was also a chance to raise awareness and to highlight the research work being undertaken by Professor Semsarian, who is a world-leading expert in investigating and researching the phenomenon of fit young people (particularly males) dying of sudden cardiac arrest.

Professor Semsarian spoke with passion about his research and his team.  He also mentioned that a considerable period of his time was taken up on grant applications to secure funding for research, rather than on the research itself.   Watch our video below to hear about the work being undertaken by Professor Semsarian and his team.

The event was organised by Hearbeats for Xav in memory of Xavier O’Grady.

StringbyBark Creek Community Garden

Business Alert

ANZ Lane Cove Branch Closed

The ANZ Lane Cove Branch officially closed today (7 June 2023). The ATM will be removed.

An ANZ Bank Spokesperson told ITC:

“ANZ customers have fee-free access to the atmx network, and can also withdraw cash at major supermarkets in Lane Cove and Australia-wide.

ANZ customers will be able to access over-the-counter services at the nearby Chatswood branch”

Lots of changes to the banking industry.

AAP is reporting the Tresaurer will soon be announcing that cheques will be phased out by 2030.

The Treasurer told AAP that “the use of cheques has fallen 90 per cent in the past 10 years as people opt for cheaper, easier digital transactions.”

A recent global report by the US-based financial technology company FIS cash payments represents just 6% of the value of point-of-sale transactions in Australia.

Australians are among the least likely in the world to pay cash.

ITC took this photo a few years ago when the Lane Cove ANZ Branch was closed for refurbishment – see the sign in the window – is that irony or just a coincidence?

Form Fitness 

Form Fitness has opened in Lane Cove West Business Park at 2 Orion Road Lane Cove West.

Form Fitness describes their business “as one of the few exclusive appointment-only personal training gyms in Sydney, we aim to transform gym experiences into something to look forward to every day.”

Longueville Road Streetscape Upgrade

As mentioned last week, Stage 1 of the Longueville Road Streetscape programme has finished.  ITC noticed that coloured lights have been installed under the seats (see our picture below.

Night works will take place at the following locations and dates:

Dates: Until Friday, 23 June, 9:00 pm – 5:00 am

Eastern side: Little Street intersection to 140 Longueville Road.

Due to RMS requirements, there may be some movement of heavy machinery outside these hours. The works will involve the removal of existing paving, kerb, gutter and road asphalt in parking lanes with machinery and the replacement of new pavers and kerbs, including the installation of steel bollards.

Over cover photo shows the area fenced off on the Longueville Hotel side of Longueville Road and the new street furniture.

RecycleSmart Back to Four Weekly PickUps

As we previously reported RecycleSmart was so popular in the Lane Cove Council area that pickup times had blown out and were no longer roughly once a month.

The Lane Cove Council has advised:

“If you subscribe to RecycleSmart, you may have noticed extended wait times for your collections. Due to the increased popularity of the program, the allocated free collections had been oversubscribed.

We’re pleased to announce that we have increased our funding to allow for more free collections, which will reduce wait times. If you are waiting for a collection, RecycleSmart will be in contact with your revised collection date soon. Within the next month, residents with pre-existing bookings will have their wait time reduced to 4-6 weeks.”

The other good news is that RecycleSmart is also picking up backpacks, including school backpacks (although ideally, you would want to try and give them to someone who is starting school, the reality is that by the time they have been used and used for years, they are not really in a reusable state).

If a backpack is in good condition, please join our closed Facebook group for parents Kids in The Cove and try and give it away.

In case you missed it. RecycleSmart is also now recycling some kitchen items – for example, metal pots and pans etc.

One of our ITC team members was at Rebel Sport and noticed they now have a recycling bin for shoes (including leather shoes and heels – just not steel-capped boots – so Scotty Cam will have to wear his longer).

If you want some ideas on how to recycle or dispose of items correctly, read our article here.

Support Local

We have been hearing from our local eateries and retailers that it’s tough out there. With the cost of living rises we are all watching our budgets, but if you can, please think about supporting local first. You might save some fuel costs by spending locally. Check out some local businesses in our business directory here.

This week, the ABS released the following statistics, which show that household spending growth slowed in April 2023.

Household spending rose 6.0 per cent in April compared to the same time last year, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Kate Lamb, ABS head of business indicators, said growth in household spending has slowed from high levels seen in the second half of 2022.

“From a peak of 29.1 per cent in August 2022, this month’s 6.0 per cent growth has followed a downward pattern from an 11.9 per cent rise in February and an 8.4 per cent rise in March,” Ms Lamb said.

“This is mainly due to lower growth in spending on consumer services, like holiday travel and eating out, which continues to normalise following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Transport (+15.5 per cent) and Hotels, cafes and restaurants (+13.4 per cent) recorded the largest percentage increases across spending categories. These growth rates, however, are substantially lower compared to their recent peaks in August 2022 (63.5 per cent and 69.6 per cent, respectively).

“Spending growth for goods has also slowed but to a lesser extent, as inflation continues to increase spending on food,” Ms Lamb said.

Lane Cove Locals

Lane Cove Council Area local, Cathy Wilcox is a well-known Australian cartoonist and her cartoons feature in ‘The Voice to Parliament Handbook – All the detail you need’

The book is co-written by Indigenous leader and writer Thomas Mayo and award-winning journalist Kerry O’Brien.

The Book is described as:

“The Voice to Parliament Handbook is an easy-to-follow guide for the millions of Australians who have expressed support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but want to better understand what a Voice to Parliament actually means.

‘We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.’ These words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart are a heartfelt invitation from First Nations People to fellow Australians, who will have the opportunity to respond when the Voice referendum is put to a national vote by the Albanese Government.

Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien have written this handbook to answer the most commonly asked questions about why the Voice should be enshrined in the Constitution, and how it might function to improve policies affecting Indigenous communities, and genuinely close the gap on inequalities at the most basic level of human dignity.

A handy tool for people inclined to support a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, The Voice to Parliament Handbook reflects on this historic opportunity for genuine reconciliation, to right the wrongs and heal the ruptured soul of a nation. This guide offers simple explanations, useful anecdotes, historic analogies and visual representations, so you can share it among friends, family and community networks in the build-up to the referendum.

If the ‘yes’ vote is successful this book will also become a keepsake of an important and emotional milestone in Australia’s history.”

You can purchase the book online or in stores.

New EV Charger at Lane Cove Market Square

Some of our readers mentioned that there were some issues with one or two of the EV chargers in the Lane Cove Market Square Car Park. The Lane Cove Council told us they were onto it, and we noticed the other day that a new EV charger has been installed (see our photo below.

In November 2022, the NSW government introduced a new law which could see drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles fined up to $2200 for illegally parking in an electric-car charging spot.​ The fine also applies to parking an electric vehicle in a charging station but not charging.  For more information, read our article here.

NSW Urged to Stay Alert for Meningococcal Symptoms

NSW Health is urging the community to be on alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear after the notification of three recent cases.

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious and sometimes fatal infection.

Sadly, a person in their fifties from Sydney has died from meningococcal disease.

A further two cases of the disease have also been detected in a person in their late teens who had been living in Sydney, and a person in their sixties from the Central Coast. Both individuals are recovering. None of these cases are believed to be linked.

So far this year, there have been 19 cases of meningococcal disease reported in NSW. The majority of cases have been due to the meningococcal B strain of the infection.

NSW Health Director Communicable Diseases, Dr Christine Selvey, said meningococcal disease is a rare disease with babies, toddlers, adolescents, and young adults being at highest risk. While vaccination of these age groups has reduced the number of infections each year, the vaccines do not protect against all strains of meningococcal bacteria and people of all ages can be infected. All people should be aware of symptoms so they can act fast.

“Meningococcal disease can be very serious, but early treatment is life-saving so it is important that symptoms are recognised early,” Dr Selvey said.

“We are urging the NSW community to be vigilant for symptoms, even if they have been vaccinated, and to seek medical assistance early if they are concerned.”

Meningococcal disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Knowing the symptoms could help prevent premature death or life-long disability. They include:

• sudden onset of fever
• headache
• neck stiffness
• tiredness
• joint or limb pain
• dislike of bright lights
• nausea and vomiting.
• high-pitched crying in babies
• a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, which may appear after the other symptoms or late in the disease progression

“If symptoms rapidly worsen call Triple Zero (000) or go straight to your nearest emergency department, do not delay,” Dr Selvey said.

Children under five and 15 to 25-year-olds are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease, and babies and adolescents should be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

Under the National Immunisation Program, meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is provided free for babies at 12 months, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions. In NSW, the adolescent dose is delivered through the school vaccination program in Year 10.

A meningococcal B vaccine is available to children from 6 weeks of age to reduce the risk of infection from this strain of the disease. Aboriginal infants and people with certain medical conditions are eligible for free access to this vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

Lane Cove Sport

Each year a Junior March Past is organised at a Waratahs game.  Last Saturday night (3 June 2023), the Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union Club was part of the March Past, and the kids (and parents) looked like they enjoyed being on the field at the new Allianz Stadium.

Articles Published by ITC This Week

IPART Releases Draft Report on Rates Peg Cap Review

Changes to how rates are determined could be on the agenda for local councils across NSW, including Lane Cove, after a preliminary report put forward by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Lane Cove Council Rates and Annual Charges for the 2023/24 financial year include a general rate increase of 3.7%. Lane Cove Council (and other NSW councils) cannot set their own rate increases.

NSW Local council rate increases are determined by IPART using a rate peg methodology. IPART has recommended changes to the IPART rate capping methodology plus an independent review of the financial model for local councils. You can have your say on the IPART draft report

Read more here.

NSW Bus Industry Taskforce Releases A Six Point Action Plan 

In May 2023, the NSW Government announced the creation of a Taskforce to make recommendations to improve the reliability, quality and effectiveness of bus services across NSW.

The NSW Bus Industry Taskforce has released a six-point action plan to address some of the issues facing Sydney Buses.

One of the action items is holding Bus Passenger Forum – the first two forums will be in Newcastle and the Nothern Beaches – ITC has contacted TfNSW to find out when public forums will be scheduled for Region 7.

The Key finding reported by the Taskforce is “that most cancellations and other service failures are a direct result of driver shortages. Some depots are significantly understaffed.”

This is not groundbreaking news. Both Busways and TfNSW have told ITC over the last 12 months that their biggest issue is bus driver recruitment. Read more in our article here.

Lane Cove Council Sustainability Rebates

Are you looking to instal solar panels, solar batteries, an electric vehicle charger or perhaps a rainwater tank? Lane Cove Council has launched a sustainability rebates programme to encourage residents to instal sustainability products in their homes and apartment blocks. So if you were thinking of going solar or installing an EV Charger then this might be the incentive to get you over the line.  Read more in our article here.

Photo Credit: Evolution Solar & Electrical

July School Holidays

It’s that time again! School Holiday programs are LIVE and it is best to get in quick to make sure your little ones don’t miss out!

Lane Cove has a huge amount of activities on this winter school holidays. Don’t forget that if you book and pay before 30 June, you can redeem any outstanding creative & active vouchers with registered providers before they EXPIRE!

Check out our full list of activities here.

Get Ready for Term 3

It’s never to early to organise school activities. TERM 3 is fast approaching! We have put together a list of some local activities for babies, pre-schoolers, primary school students, tweens, teenagers/secondary school kids – in other words something for everyone.  Get organised before the July school holidays.  See what’s on offer here.