Lane Cove News Week in Review 13th to 20th September 2023

Welcome to our week in review.

Car Free Sunday

The first car-free Sunday was held on Sunday, 17 September 2023.  The people who were sitting out at the cafes told ITC they loved the peace and quiet and no fumes.

An article in The Daily Telegraph stated it led to congestion and parking issues. You can read it here (yes, paywalled).

There were mixed reactions to the event on ITC Lane Cove Chat.  There were numerous comments in favour of the day, but people felt there should have been more to do (like bands and other activities) and more notice of the event.   Several readers commented that it was a waste of money and led to congestion on other roads.  However, the positive comments far outweighed the negative comments.

Big Family Fun Ride

The Big Family Fun Ride was a huge success, with over 220 registrations.  Seeing the little ones on their bikes riding up and down Longueville Road was very cute.  This year you could register for a 5km or 2km ride, and then there was the Longueville loop for the families.

Parks and Playgrounds

Last Week Lane Cove Council opened Wadanggari Park, Australia’s first park and adventure playground to be built on a bridge over a rail line, will be officially launched by Stephen Bali, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces. The 4750sqm public park has been created over the northern suburbs railway line in what was once unused space and captures new 180-degree views to the city.

The new park provides quality recreation space for residents of St Leonards, demonstrating how good planning can provide amenities in high-density housing areas. The surrounding precinct connects rail, bus, and new metro transport links and is serviced by the already well-patronised St Leonards Library and the Council-owned, 300-space car park.

Lane Cove Council built the $43.5m Wadanggari Park with $4.75m from the NSW Government Public Spaces Legacy Program. It offers climbing equipment for older children and a special young children’s zone, as well as intriguing paths, a stage, and grassy lawns.

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces Stephen Bali said the new green open space parkland will be of tremendous value to St Leonards’ community.

“This investment from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is providing over 5,400 surrounding homes with a new high-quality recreational asset on their doorstep that they can use to socialise, relax and enjoy the outdoors.” Mr Bali said.

The park was co-designed by the Council, designers, and engineers, themed on the three phases of a banksia plant, culminating in a vivid yellow bloom. Wadanggari means banksia in the local Aboriginal language and is reflected in the new playground’s onsite plantings and design features.

The library was built by JQZ and funded as part of a Voluntary Planning Agreement for the development of 88 Christie Street and a $500,000 grant from the State Library of NSW.

 

Disappointment Over Partial Closure of Cox’s Lane Park

A roving reporter sent us this photo and commented as follows

“Hello, we went to Cox’s Lane park today and found that it’s fenced off with a sign that read it will be replaced “when next procurable” due to being vandalised and no longer safe. We wondered if you had any further info on when this would be replaced as it’s very vague. We’re gutted as it’s a lovely little park within walking distance to our house, enclosed and never very busy so it’s perfect for our little toddler. The sign directs people to the canopy but that’s not great for toddlers especially at peak times with the big kids.”

ITC is regularly sent pictures of rubbish being dumped in Cox’s Lane Park.

After the above was posted on In The Cove, the following was posted on Lane Cove Council’s website.

“Council conducts regular inspections of its playground equipment to ensure it meets the Playground Safety Standards. It was identified at the most recent safety check that the structure of the play unit has deteriorated. The play unit therefore failed the inspection and will shortly be removed.

The play unit was originally scheduled for replacement as part of the upcoming Playground Strategy in 2024/25, however that replacement has now been brought forward. Council is currently sourcing a replacement play unit with similar features and we will provide an update once a timeframe for replacement is available.

Please be advised that only the play unit is impacted. The swings, rocker and mini house remain open.

The closest playgrounds to this location are at The Canopy and the Finlayson Street Playground (corner of Finlayson Street and Centennial Avenue).

We apologise for any inconvenience. ”

Have Your Say –  Parks in Lane Cove

Lane Cove Council is asking for feedback on the following parks/playgrounds. Have your say here.

Articles Published by In the Cove This Week

Lane Cove Council is meeting on Thursday night and it is a packed agenda.  As required by law, there will be an election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  Read more about what else is on the agenda here.

Councillor Kathy Bryla has resigned from the Labor Party and will now be an independent – Read more here.

Mayor Andrew Zbik has tabled a notice of motion which he feels will assist councillors dealing with Lane Cove Council staff. He wants councillors to be involved in strategic decisions but not to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Lane Cove Council.

He believes current council resolutions are too prescriptive and need to be more strategic.

He also wants residents to understand that councillors cannot get involved in the day-to-day operations, and it is not their job to approve tender documents and contracts. This should be left to the Lane Cove Council staff with the necessary expertise.

Read more here.

Azaleas in Bloom

A roving reporter took a photo of the Epping Road Azaleas, which look great in bloom.  Mayor Andrew Zbik also confirmed that a specialist gardener will be looking after this area.  The Azaleas on Epping Road have suffered over the years, and recently an effort was made to bring them back to their former glory.  Background information here.  (see our cover photo)

Be Careful When Gardening

We know that Lane Cove loves to garden. Be careful when handling potting mix. This advice from NSW Health

Don’t let Legionnaires’ disease bloom this spring

Gardeners are being encouraged to take simple precautions when handling potting mix, mulch, and compost to avoid contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionella longbeachae bacteria are often found in soil products and can cause the lung infection Legionnaires’ disease if someone inhales dust from contaminated gardening products.

NSW Health Executive Director, Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said gardeners should read and follow the manufacturer’s warnings on bagged potting mix.

“Before opening the bag, put on a mask and gloves so you don’t breathe in the dust or get it on your hands. Wetting the potting mix, mulch or compost can reduce the dust blowing up into the air,” Dr McAnulty said.

“Even if you’ve been wearing gloves, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating or drinking as the bacteria could still be there.”

There have been 54 cases of Legionnaires’ disease so far this year from the type of bacteria that can be found in potting mix and soils in NSW, and 132 cases were reported last year.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscles, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. It can develop up to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.

‘‘Most people who breathe in the bacteria don’t become ill, but the risk of infection increases if you’re older, a smoker, or have a weakened immune system,” Dr McAnulty said.

Legionnaires’ disease can usually be cured by treatment with antibiotics, however, it can require hospital care and be fatal in some people.

It is not spread from person to person.

This type of bacteria found in potting mix is a different strain of the same bacteria which is found in contaminated air conditioning cooling systems on large buildings. The disease caused by both strains is known as Legionnaires’ disease.

If you have ongoing or worsening symptoms, you should see your doctor or visit your local emergency department.

For more information on Legionnaires’ disease visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/…/legionnaires_disease.aspx

Lane Cove Locals 

Congratulations to Lane Cove’s very own Graeme Davis and Brian Cox from Ryde.

This week, Graeme Davis and Bernie Cox represented Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), and received certificates from the Member for Ryde (Jordan Lane MP) at the Oatlands Golf Club.

The presentation was a series being conducted across NSW by The Centre for Volunteering.

This year there were over 133,000 nominations across a range of categories – Young/Adult/Senior/Team.

As well as being members of DRA, Graeme and Bernie are members of State Emergency Service (SES) and the RSL.

Well done for all the volunteer work you do.

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