Lane Cove News Week in Review 28th June to 5th July 2023

Welcome to our week in review, and this week Lane Cove locals asked the ubiquitous question – Why are helicopters flying over Lane Cove? Answer: It was an Army training exercise.

The following was posted on the Australian Army Website:

“Australian Defence Force helicopters will conduct increased flying activities in North Sydney, Wollstonecraft, Richmond, Appin and Holsworthy between 26 June and 30 June 2023.

The training will include ADF helicopters flying by day and night in urban areas.

This is a routine activity, and the community should not be alarmed if they see or hear a military helicopter. No ammunition will be used during the training.

This essential training is vital to maintain Australia’s world-class military capability. All aircraft activities are conducted within strict safety and operational guidelines.

The flying activity schedule is subject to change, including short notice cancellation, due to variables such as air traffic control, weather and other aviation considerations.

Safety, noise management and the environment are vital considerations in the planning and conduct of Defence flying activities.

Noise disturbances will be minimised where possible, and the ADF thanks the community for their patience and cooperation.”

Update on Lane Cove Public School Hall

The Lane Cove Public School’s hall project was put on hold after the Lloyd Group when into voluntary administration. NSW Schools Infrastructure has advised that a tender has been issued for the hall’s completion. The following update was given.

Lane Cove North Microsoft Data Centre

Microsoft wanted to construct a data centre in Lane Cove North (background here). In February 2023, they announced on the project’s website that they would not proceed. However, they did not provide any reasons or information about what would happen at the Lane Cove North Site (as tenants had vacated the building).   An article in Data Centre Dynamics noted the following:

“Evans and Partner technology analyst Paul Mason recently said in a note that Australian players such as NextDC have historically been better than Microsoft at getting council approval, thanks to having more local knowledge on how to handle councils and the lead times associated with procuring utilities.” Read the full article here.

Winter Lights Come to Lane Cove

The Canopy is lit up every night between 5 pm and 11 pm with colourful lights to make winter a bit more bearable.  The light display will end on 17 July 2023.

Business Alert

Yochi Yoghurt

Yochi Yoghurt has opened in the old Oliver Brown premises in Lane Cove Market Square.

They sell Frozen Yoghurt to take away (with lots of different topping options) and packs you can store in your freezer.

Yochi Yoghurt is a Tik Tok sensation, and there have been long queues in other areas where it has opened. However, as they opened during school holidays, there have not been lines going around the block in Lane Cove (yet…).

Renegade Cycles

Chatswood Chase Turns 40

Chatswood Chase Sydney has been in the lower north shore community for 40 years. Chatswood Chase is hosting a retrospective exhibition of archival images for the celebrations. The retrospective is online, and Chatwood Chase has a physical display. You can also win a $2000 shopping spree via an Instagram competition – details here.

Lane Cove Literary Awards

Are you a writer or a poet?   Australian writers over 16 are invited to submit unpublished works to be considered for the Lane Cove Literary Awards.

The Lane Cove Literary Awards is a prestigious national writing competition organised by Lane Cove Council that recognises writing excellence and fosters Australian writing talent. Australian writers over 16 years of age are invited to submit unpublished works.

The Awards are now open, and entries can be submitted for the following categories:

• Short Story Prize – $2,000
• Poetry Prize – $1,500
• Theatre Script Prize – $1,500

The following additional prizes may be awarded:

• The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Prize – $500
• Be Your Own Boss Youth Prize (16 – 24 years) – $500
• Wise Sage Prize (65+ years) – $500

More details are here.

Nominate an Educator

Is there an educator at your child’s school that deserves recognition for their work? Why not nominate them for the 2023 National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA)

For almost 30 years, via the National Excellence in Teaching Awards, the NEiTA Foundation has acknowledged exceptional educators in early learning centres, primary and secondary schools, and special schools across Australia and New Zealand.

These teachers and principals are not just exceptional professionals. They are also talented, committed, caring, innovative, passionate and dedicated to their students, schools and the community.

NEiTA objectives:

Recognise teachers and leaders who represent excellence within their teaching profession through their contribution to advancing education at a local, regional or national level.

• Raise community confidence in the teaching profession.
• Encourage and support the increased professional development of teachers.
• Provide grants and award prizes to teachers and leaders who have demonstrated an exceptionally high level of dedication and professional expertise, and excellence.
• Encourage the enjoyment of learning.

Click here to see how you can nominate an outstanding educator. It takes only 3 – 4 minutes.

Check Your Cupboards for Poppy Seeds

People are being urged to check the poppy seeds in their kitchens after a previously recalled batch of non-food grade poppy seeds was found to have re-entered the supply chain.

NSW Health advises the impacted product has been confirmed as ‘Royal Fields Poppy Seeds’ (Basfoods), with a best-before date of 25 June 2024, sold through Coles. This product was previously recalled in November 2022, but Coles has identified that some units of the product were purchased from their stores in recent weeks.

This product is not safe to consume and people who have purchased this recalled batch of poppy seeds should throw it out or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The affected product is listed on the FSANZ website.

Anyone concerned about product exposure should call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. NSW Health urges anyone who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department. In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

• Reported symptoms can be severe, including:
• severe muscle cramping, muscle spasms and abnormal movements
• seizures
• cardiac arrest.

The NSW Poisons Information Centre can be contacted 24/7 on 13 11 26 and can provide more information about poisons and what to do in suspected cases of poppy seed poisoning. Health professionals should seek advice from the Poisons Information Centre or their local toxicology service for the latest clinical advice if they see a patient presenting after consuming the poppy seeds.

NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority, as well as other jurisdictions, to investigate the issue further.

Lane Cove Events

Car Boot Sale 30 July 2023 – Only a Few Spots Left

Last year ITC spoke to Councillor Kathy Bryla about ways to encourage locals to reduce the number of items in the Lane Cove Council curbside collection pile (which goes straight to the landfill).

ITC mentioned that years and years ago, ITC sold heaps of items at a Car Boot Sale at Lane Cove West Public School, and it was a great way to sell your unwanted items – mainly if you live in an apartment where it is too hard to hold a garage sale.

Councillor Kathy Bryla raised the idea at a Lane Cove Council Meeting.

Forward to 2023, and Lane Cove Council has asked Lane Cove Rotary to run a community car boot sale. The car boot sale is a fundraiser for Lane Cove Rotary, which will use those funds to support local and international charities. The first car boot sale will be on 30 July 2023.

If you would like to book a stall – the link is here

If you enjoy shopping at car boot sales where one person’s unwanted items are another person’s treasure – put 30 July 2023 in your diary.