Welcome to our week in review.
The Big Screen at The Canopy
On Thursday, 20 July 2023, the big screen at The Canopy was set up and ready to go for the Matilda’s first game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup against Ireland! A small crowd braved the winter weather (see our Cover Photo). All of The Matilda’s games will be shown on the big screen at The Canopy.
Allura Homes Go Into Liquidation
Allura Homes’ head office is located in Lane Cove West, and they have several homes under construction in the Lane Cove Council area. They have a special Riverview collection with houses designed for blocks in Riverview. Their collapse has been distressing for locals. Mr Dale Skinner has been appointed as the Liquidator.
According to an article in the Daily Telegraph:
“The company’s inability to keep up with inflation pressures” was to blame for its failure, Mr Skinner said.
“My office retained company employees to inspect all sites and ensure they were secured on appointment,” he added.
“My office has made arrangements with the fencing supplier, Hire Rite, to ensure no fencing is removed and provided the customers details to the supplier so that current and future security is maintained by the owners.”
The following information was recorded on the ASIC site:
Allura Homes Pty Ltd Trading As Formerly Trading As “Allura Designer Homes” “Allura Projects” “Urban Link Australia” “Urban Link Homes Australia”, ABN: 60163774383, Main Business Location: NSW 2066, Notice Date: July 24, 2023, Liquidator: Dane Skinner
Update on Lane Cove Sports and Recreational Facility
The proposed Lane Cove Sports and Recreation Facility is to be an 8-court facility. Lane Cove Council resolved that the total costs to develop the facility could not exceed $75 Million.
A tender document for the Construction was sent to an agreed list of tenderers. The tender closed in June 2023 and none of the tenderers submitted a cost to build that would enable the council to meet the $75 million project budget.
Lane Cove Council released the following statement:
“June 2023 – Delay to Early Works Construction Activities
Council engaged an Early Works contractor to begin demolition prior to 30 June 2023, pending receipt of pricing for the Head Contractor (Building Construction) being within budget on 26 June 2023. Upon receipt of the pricing, none of the tenders received were within the construction cost allowance for Stage 2, included within the overall $75 million project budget.
Council’s tender evaluation panel will continue to evaluate the tenders and produce a report with a strategy to move the project forward for the elected Council’s consideration in July 2023.
Based on this outcome, Stage 1 Early Works, which includes demolition and bulk earthworks will not commence before 30 June. The golf course and tennis courts will continue to operate unchanged at this time. ”
At the Lane Cove Council 20 July 2023 Meeting all the tenders were rejected and the Lane Council resolved (on a vote of 4 against and 4 in favour with Major Andrew Zbik using his casting vote) to delegate to the General Manager power to negotiate a design and construct contract with ADCO Group Pty Ltd.
There was a discussion with council staff about the financial due diligence undertaken by the Tender Assessment Team and its advisors. Questions were asked as to why the contracting entity was now ADCO Group Pty Ltd and not ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd.
A Council officer read out a letter from ADCO saying that they would be prepared to enter into a contract with the ASCO parent company or provide a parent company guarantee – however, this requirement was not included in the final resolution.
Mayor Andrew Zbik mentioned it was a moot point about the contracting entity. This was after a council staff member said that financial due diligence was not undertaken on the intended contracting party – ADCO Group Pty Ltd.
The next step is for General Manager to negotiate a fixed-price design and construct contract with ADCO Group Pty Ltd.
This decision was made in the same week as The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) released a report called All risk, no reward noting the poor health of the construction industry and the need for urgent action.
ACA CEO Jon Davies said “the industry is in deep trouble, and the government must act now to stop the contagion and create a more sustainable industry to build the housing and infrastructure the nation requires.”
The Lane Cove Sign Bomber is Back
The sign below was spotted on Epping Road. Read more about the Lane Cove Sign Bomber here.
Learn About Sustainability with Good for the Hood
Good For The Hood has partnered with Lane Cove Council to bring you @HOME, an online program of expert-led events to answer your big questions.
Discover:
Reducing your food waste
Composting with ease
Getting the power of solar
Electric vehicle trends
Cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products
Low-impact beauty and cleaning
Through their online portal, you’ll have access to the Lane Cove Residents’ Hub – a space to connect and discuss local issues, video workshops, interactive events, and helpful resources.
Know a local who might be keen? Good for the Hood would love you to let them know by sharing this link: www.goodforthehood.com.au/at-home
Blister Pack Recycling
Did you watch the War on Waste this week? There was a segment on blister packs used by pharmaceutical companies (for example, the packaging used for Panadol, Nurofen, Telfast etc). It was noted that blister packs could be recycled. RecycleSmart picks up blister packs for recycling. Find out more about RecycleSmart here (they pick up from your home!).
Business Alert
The Fair Trade Cove
The following was posted on The Fair Trade Cove’s Facebook site.
“Unfortunately, due to unsustainable rental increases, we have been forced to close down at the end of August
Thank you to all our wonderful customers that have supported our store in Lane Cove over the past four years, we really don’t want to go!
We will be open 7 Days a week until we close and the good news is that you can still purchase our Fair Trade and Ethically Sourced product range online www.thefairtradecove.com.au
126 Longueville Rd Lane Cove NSW”
ITC understands that Toni and Guy will relocate to 126 Longueville Road Lane Cove.
Lane Cove Sport
Lane Cove Rugby successfully unveiled a plaque at Tantallon Oval on Saturday, 22 July 2023, recognising the contribution of the Notley brothers – John (96), Peter and Dick (dec).
Around 50 old boys, supporters and the extended Notley family were in attendance to witness this significant event in the LCRU club history.
Patron Cliff Harvey detailed their amazing record with LCRU and other sailing, swimming and community activities culminating in all three brothers receiving a coveted Australian Sports Medal as part of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
According to Cliff, those who drink from a well should take a moment to pause, reflect, and express gratitude towards those who built the well.
That’s just what LCRU did on Saturday.
The words on the plaque (below) say it all.
Rob Sinclair OAM – Life Member LCRU
Geoff Kinghorn – LCRU Treasurer
Graeme Priddy – LCRU President
Cliff Harvey – LCRU Patron
Lane Cove Events
Indian Cooking Classes at Masala Kitchen
We have previously mentioned that Masala Kitchen is now holding Indian Cooking Classes.
On Sunday 6th August 2023, join a Masala Kitchen Cooking Class and unlock the secrets of Indian cuisine! Limited seats are available, so grab your spot now!
🗓️ Date: Sunday, August 6th
📍 Locations: Dee Why and Lane Cove
Led by renowned Indian food connoisseur, Bhavna Kalra, this hands-on class is perfect for beginners and food enthusiasts alike. Learn essential spices, cooking techniques, and create mouthwatering Indian dishes.
Great for team building or family outings! Bond with your colleagues or loved ones as you embark on this culinary journey together.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your culinary skills! For more information, click here.
Car Boot Sale 30 July 2023 – Sold Out – Be There on 30 July for Bargains
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.
Crime and Incident Report
North Shore Police Area Command provided the following incident reports:
Break and Enter – Greenwich – 15/07/2023
A 39-year-old Galston man has been charged after allegedly attempting to break into a house in Greenwich.
At 2:00am on Saturday 15th of July, police were called to an address on Greenwich Road after the homeowner had been awoken by the 39-year-old allegedly smashing two downstairs windows. A police helicopter located the male and directed police to his location. A short time later, a general purpose police dog and its handler located the male who allegedly attempted to flee. The male received a dog bite to his leg causing him to stop, where he was arrested by police.
The male was conveyed to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment after which he was charged with “Break & enter intend to commit serious indictable offence”. He was refused bail and appeared at Hornsby Local Court on 19th July.
Traffic – Artarmon – 10/07/2023
A 29-year-old Prestons man has been issued with two Traffic Infringement Notices (TIN).
At 11:30 am on the 10th of July, police were conducting speed enforcement on the Gorehill Freeway at Artarmon when they allegedly detected a white Hyundai station wagon travelling at 101km/h in an 80km/h zone. Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the Prestons man who was driving the vehicle. The male produced a P2 provisional driver’s license, however, was allegedly not displaying any green P plates.
The male was issued with a $283 TIN in relation to his speed and a $295 TIN in relation to not displaying P plates as required. Both TIN’s carry a combined total of 6 demerit points.
Possess Graffiti Implement – Naremburn – 13/07/2023
An 18-year-old Bronte man will face Hornsby Local Court in August charged with a graffiti-related offence.
At 3:00pm on the 13th of July, police received information that there were males allegedly graffitiing a Gorehill Freeway underpass in Naremburn. Police attended and located a group of males on Chelmsford Avenue, one of which was allegedly holding a paint roller with wet paint on it. Police spoke with the males and subsequently searched them.
During the search of the Bronte man, police will allege that within a bag he was carrying they located two red permanent marker pens, nine aerosol spray paint cans of various colours, three paint tins and one bottle of magic ink.
The male was issued with a Court Attendance Notice.
Positive Drug Detection – Artarmon – 13/07/2023
At 10:22 pm on the 13th of July, police stopped a beige Mazda on the Pacific Highway, Artarmon, that a 49-year-old Hornsby man was allegedly driving.
Police subjected the male to a roadside breath test which proved negative. Police then subjected the male to a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive detection to Methamphetamines.
The male was arrested and conveyed to North Sydney Police Station where he underwent an oral fluid test which also returned a positive sample for Methamphetamines. The remainder of this sample was sent for analysis in a lab.
The male was issued with a prohibition from driving for a 24-hour period.
Police are awaiting the results from the analysis, if they return a positive result, the male will be charged with “Drive with Illicit drug present in oral fluid” and will face Hornsby Local Court.
Week in Review Sponsor – Iris & Lin
Iris & Lin has a huge range of gifts, jewellery, homewares and clothes. They currently have their end-of-season sale with up to 75% off winter clothing (and it is still chilly out there).
From the quirky to the wonderful, say hi at Iris & Lin. You can also buy the Lane Cove Gift Card at Iris & Lin.
Contact Details
Address: Shop 10 Lane Cove Plaza Burns Bay Road Lane Cove
Instagram: www.instagram.com/irisandlin
Website: www.irisandlin.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/irisandlin
Help Support Local and Independent News
You can support us in three ways:
- Become an ITC reader sponsor – Feel free to sponsor if you have enjoyed our local news coverage and would like to be an ITC reader sponsor. You can sponsor us with a monthly sponsorship fee. We have reader sponsors who support us for $5.00 a month and some who invest $100 a year – no amount is too small or too big. Thank you so much to those who supported us via our press Patreon account. Help Us Here.
- Buy the ITC team a coffee – We now have a team, and they need to be paid – by the ITC team a coffee (or two) that will help us pay their wages and shout than a coffee Buy a Coffee here.
- Do you own a Lane Cove Business or a Lane Cove resident who owns a business, you can advertise with ITC. Please email us here for our rates card.
