Welcome to our week in review.
Diwali Festival in Lane Cove Plaza
On Saturday, 19 November 2023, the Lane Cove Indian Community celebrated Diwali with dancing, costumes and much more.
Buses Still be Cancelled or Not Turning Up on Time
Our readers have told us that buses have not improved servicing Lane Cove. The State Government has a Bus Industry Taskforce, but none of their interim recommendations have improved the system.
Chatswood will have a “pop up” bus passenger forum on 27 November 2023.
ITC asked Transport for NSW when there would be a forum in Lane Cove. We stressed that Lane Cove was constantly having buses cancelled by Busways. We also stressed that buses were Lane Cove’s main public transport option.
A spokesperson gave the following response:
“The schedule for Bus Passenger Forums for next year is currently being organised, and we will loop back to the community once dates and locations are locked in.
As many passengers from Lane Cove interchange at Chatswood, we encourage anyone and everyone to pop by the stand and give their feedback on 27 November.
People also don’t have to wait for a Passenger Forum to have their say; they can also participate in the online survey today – click here for the survey.”
The deterioration in service levels is constantly attributed to driver shortages. Brisbane City Council recently hired more than 400 new bus drivers – read more here.
Tragic Fire in Willougbhy
Mother of two, Joyce Lewis, was killed in a blaze on Hollywood Crescent Willoughby on 19 November 2023.
Emergency Services were called around 9.30 am after neighbours saw flames coming from the house. On arrival, crews found the two-storey home engulfed by flames. Fire crews immediately attacked the blaze from all four sides.
Neighbours tried to rescue Mrs Lewis but could not reach her. Her body was found after the fire had been extinguished.
More than 40 firefighters and at least 12 appliances were on the scene. The cause of the fire has not been released.
A firefighter was injured at the scene when trying to access the second storey when he burnt his hand.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Royal North Hospital for further treatment.
ITC thoughts go out to Mrs Lewis, her family, and her friends (some of whom live in Lane Cove).
House Fire on Tambourine Bay Road Lane Cove
Later on the same day as the Willoughby fire, there was a house fire on Tambourine Bay Road.
Fire Crews were called around 4.48 pm on Saturday, 19th November 2023. Fire and Rescue NSW told ITC they were called after smoke was seen at the back of the house.
No one was injured, and the fire was contained very quickly.
Burns Bay Entrance to Lovetts Reserve has Re-opened
The southernmost entrance from Burns Bay Road into Lovetts Reserve has been re-opened!
Lovetts Reserve is located in Lane Cove West and is one of the most popular bushwalking tracks in Lane Cove. During the COVID-19 lockdown, its popularity soared with Lane Cove residents discovering a beautiful bushwalk overlooking the Lane Cove River.
The Reserve was closed due to contamination. Read our article here on the background to the closure and the use of the area before it became a walking track.
Lane Cove Council released the following statement:
“We’ve been working with Sydney Water for some time to remediate contaminated lands declared by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, requiring the closure of the walking track at the Boreen for the duration of this work.
Contaminants of concern were detected on site, including pesticides, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The source of these contaminants is likely to be the former chemical manufacturer once found here.
Specialist contractors have removed contaminated soil, followed by capping of the affected area, which has now met the safety standards required by the NSW EPA. The site has been recently planted to help prevent erosion of the topsoil and bush regeneration works have re-commenced here. Sydney Water has built some new sandstone steps and railing as part of the track being re-opened.
Lane Cove Council Releases Their Draft Annual Report – Lane Cove General Manager’s remuneration revealed.
Each year, NSW Councils are required to prepare an annual report. Lane Cove Council has prepared a draft Annual Report, and if approved at the Lane Cove Council Meeting on 23 November 2023, the report will be sent to the Minister for Local Government and displayed on the Council’s website.
The Annual Report is required to list the Lane Cove Council’s General Manager’s annual remuneration package. The following has been included in the report:
“Five (5) senior staff were employed by the Council during the year. These include the General Manager, and Executive Managers of Human Services, Environmental Services, Open Space and Urban Services and Corporate Services. The total amount payable in respect of the employment of senior staff, including salary, superannuation, fringe benefits and all other on-costs was $1,451,192 which includes $452,286 payable to the General Manager.”
Lane Cove Council Finally Prepares a Pool Safety Inspection Plan
A Lane Cove Council Compliance Officer alleged that the Lane Cove Council has failed to implement a Pool Safety Inspection Programme.
The Swimming Pool Act 1992 requires Councils to develop and adopt a program for the inspection of swimming pools in its area. To fulfil its legal obligations, a Council must inspect swimming pools per this programme.
Councils were given six months to implement a Mandatory Pool Safety Inspection Programme after the amendments to the Swimming Pool Act 1992 came into force in April 2016.
In April 2016, the Lane Cove Council resolved to adopt the following enforcement procedures but did not resolve to adopt a Mandatory Pool Safety Inspection Programme. You can read more here.
Lane Cove Council offices have tabled a draft Swimming Pool Inspection Program for public exhibition. Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to approve the draft programme to be exhibited for public comment for 42 days.
Lane Cove Theatre Company Nominated for 32 Awards
The Lane Cove Theatre Company has been nominated for Thirty-Two 2023 Broadway Australia Sydney Regional Awards, including Favourite Local Theatre! These nominations recognise their productions of Hercules, The Farndale Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society production of Macbeth, Assassins and Cloudstreet across multiple categories.
Their current production of The Little Mermaids has sold out.
They have released their 2024 season lineup – check it out here.
Lane Cove Local Wins Prestigious Book Award
Congratulations to Lane Cove Local Sarah Martin for winning the best Self Help Memoir in the 2023 Goody Business Books Award. The Book is called Dear Psychosis.
You can read our Sarah and Alice Martin article and the book here.
You can buy the book The Burns Bay Bookery.
Help Share the Dignity
It’s the last week of Zjoosh’s Share the Dignity #itsinthebag Campaign!!!
Zjoosh said:
“As a business proudly run by women for women, it feels so right for Zjoosh to support Share The Dignity again. With every Zjoosh purchase, you will receive a free floral tote bag. They invite you to fill this pretty floral bag with practical, essential items that can help restore dignity and hope to those experiencing hardship.
Make Christmas special for someone living in crisis this year by donating an Adult, Teen or Mum & Bub bag. Fill your Zjoosh x Share the Dignity bag with life’s essentials and a few luxury items to help someone in need. You can drop the bag off at Bunnings until 26 November 2023.”
Win A Tray of Mangoes
Harris Farm Markets gave ITC a tray of mangoes to give to two lucky locals. If you have been to Harris Farm recently, you will know they are the home of Mangoes in Lane Cove and even have some great recipe tips.
The competition starts on 17 November 2023 and finishes at 10.00 am on 24 November 2023 (“the promotional period”).
How to enter
Click here.
All you have to do to
- is tell us why you love Mangoes on this post
- follow our Facebook page
- follow Harris Farm Markets Facebook page
Winners will be notified via our Facebook page and it is up to an entrant to respond to our notification and tell us their email address so we can send them their prize.
The Prize is one tray of Mangoes for two winners.
It is only open to people who live in the postcode 2066 or Lane Cove North. Terms and conditions here.
You can also enter the competition via Instagram here.
Business Alerts
Lux Construct Pty Ltd
On Lane Cove Chat by ITC, followers always ask for recommendations for handymen, gardeners and cleaners.
We are pleased to advise that we have added Lux Construct Pty Ltd to our business directory. Lux Construct Pty Ltd has an office in Ryde but is owned by two Lane Cove locals.
Their services include:
. All Handyman Jobs
. Render & Paint
. Flooring & Carpet
. Pre-Sales Repairs
. Window Frame Repair
. Water Proofing & Tiling
. Renovation
. Plumbing & Electrical
. Plaster & Paint
. Roofing & Gutters
Nimble Cleaning
We have also added Nimble Cleaning to our business directory.
They provide:
Window cleaning
Gutter cleaning
Soft House Washing
High-Pressure Cleaning
You can view our list of gardeners here – but if you are a local gardener and want more work, please contact us to advertise.
Fresh Christmas Trees
We have had a few enquiries about where you can buy fresh Christmas Trees this year. You can now preorder your trees from the Scouts – more details here.
Lane Cove Sport
Lane Cove Bowling Club Dominates Zone 9 Reserve Fours Competition.
The Zone 9 Reserve Fours Championship for 2023-2024 was held at Willoughby Park Bowling Club in the first weekend of November 2023 in perfect conditions.
In what was possibly the best-ever performance by any Lane Cove team in one competition, Lane Cove pulled off the quinella in the final.
In a great match, Matt Lake, John Burke, Scott Bonthrone and John Lloyd prevailed over the relatively new Lane Cove combination of Glenn Boardman, David Madson, Phil Wade and Greg Scott.
This was a great effort by Lane Cove in fielding three of the ten teams in the competition, and to have two teams compete in the final is a credit to the players for their commitment to their teammates, the Club and the Zone.
As they say at the Lane Cove Bowls Club –
“It’s not the size of the club in the game, but the size of the game in the club!”
Lane Cove 12ft Skiff Sailing Club – Volunteers Needed
Love adventure? Want to get out on the water & enjoy our beautiful harbour? Come on the water on Saturday afternoons (1:30-5 pm) with Lane Cove Sailing Club! The Club needs volunteers for their response boats during events. No experience is required; training is provided.
WHY VOLUNTEER?
- Enjoy a day on the water
- Be close to the sailing action
- Learn new skills
- Join a great community
Interested? Contact Ian at [email protected] or 0451 855 606. Visit www.lc12ftssc.org.au for more info. See you on the water!
Lane Cove Events
Christmas Carols
ITC has compiled a list of Christmas Carols in the Lane Cove Council Area – find out more here.
Bluey and Bingo are Coming to The Canopy
It’s Christmas time, and Lane Cove Council is again bringing Bluey and Bingo back to the Canopy.
The Bluey Live Christmas Experience is a highlight of the year for Lane Cove kids, and the concerts are more significant than the nighttime concerts held at The Canopy. More details here.
For information on Lane Cove events, check out our events calendar here.
If you want to keep current on events, subscribe to our weekly news blast here.
Lower North Shore Crime and Incident Report
The Lower North Shore Area Police Command provided the following information:
Assault – Lane Cove – 12/11/2023
A 76-year-old Lane Cove man has allegedly been spat on and slapped in the face after an incident on Grace Street, Lane Cove.
The Lane Cove man told police that at 1:20 pm on Sunday, the 12th of November, he was standing on Grace Street when he observed a white Toyota Hilux driving along the street toward him. The Lane Cove man believed that the vehicle was travelling too fast.
The male stepped onto the street and motioned to the vehicle to slow down; however, the driver did not. The Lane Cove man then stepped onto the street, causing the vehicle to stop. This apparently angered the male driver of the Hilux, and a verbal argument ensued between the two parties.
The Lane Cove man told police that a rake he was holding at the time made contact with the Hilux, and as a result, the male driver allegedly reached out of the window, slapped the Lane Cove man twice in the face and spat on him before driving away.
Police are calling for any witnesses to the incident to come forward and contact Chatswood Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Break and Enter – Artarmon – 15/11/2023
Police allege about 6:30 am on Wednesday, the 15th of November 2023, a 37-year-old Artarmon man was seen looking through unlocked mailboxes at a unit complex in Artarmon. The male then allegedly entered the unit complex, where he stole a bicycle, golf clubs, a tool kit and a shoe box.
Police located the man a short distance away, pushing a white bicycle, and carrying a shoe box and tool kit. After a short struggle, he was arrested.
The man was searched, and police allegedly located items of mail, a hardware store member card and a chequebook, none of which were in his name. He was conveyed to the Chatswood Police Station and charged with a number of offences, including “Break & Enter house”, “Steal property in dwelling – house”, “Resist police officer in the execution of duty”, “Goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen” and “Larceny”. He was bail refused and will face the Hornsby Local Court.
Break and Enter – Mosman – 12/11/2023
Police are investigating after a house on Bay Street, Mosman, was broken into, and a Mercedes Benz was stolen.
Police believe that between 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm on Sunday the 12th of November unknown person/s gained entry to the house and stole the victim’s handbag. The Mercedes Benz and keys were also stolen.
The following morning the victim realised that she had been broken into and contacted police. Police attended and commenced an investigation.
A short time later, the Mercedes was located dumped in Waterloo by South Sydney PAC Police. The vehicle was towed and will undergo a forensic examination.
On the evening of the 15th of November, officers from North Shore PAC and Strike Force Sweetenham were deployed to the Mosman area to disrupt and detect persons involved in Break and break-and-enter offences in and around Mosman.
At 1.10 am on the 16th of November 2023, Police observed a group of 4 Young Persons walking in Bay Street Mosman and, upon seeing the headlights of the approaching police vehicle, run into one of the properties on Bay Street. A search of the area with the assistance of the NSW Police Dog Unit located all four young persons.
The four young persons were all arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station, where they were charged with “Entering inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse”. They were all bail refused to appear at Surry Hills Children’s Court.
Police are asking for anyone who may have any information to please contact North Shore Police on 9414 8499 or Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au).
This is another timely reminder to the community of the importance of locking up both properties and vehicles overnight.
High Range Drink Driving – Northbridge – 14/11/2023
A Northbridge woman will face Hornsby Local Court on the 25th of January 2024 after allegedly returning a breath analysis reading more than four times the legal limit.
At 4:30 pm on the 14th of November 2023, police were called to a shopping centre carpark in Northbridge after receiving reports that a white Mazda CX-3, allegedly driven by the Northbridge woman, had collided with parked vehicles.
Police spoke to the woman and subjected her to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result. She was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station for the purposes of a breath analysis.
The female was submitted to a breath analysis which allegedly returned a reading of 0.295grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath. The female was issued with a Licence Suspension notice and a court attendance notice.
Online Scam – Naremburn – 14/11/2023
A Naremburn female has been defrauded of $150,000 in an online scam.
Police have been told that she was contacted by a person on the social media platform “Instagram” in July 2023. The pair communicated online for several weeks, and then the victim was asked to invest through a Cryptocurrency, which she did. The female made several transactions totalling $150,000, and then communication with the offender stopped.
The female became aware that she had been scammed and contacted police. Police commenced an investigation and established that the money had been sent electronically, directly to an overseas bank account.
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/investment-scams
Week in Review Sponsor – PAWS GALORE
How would you like to look after someone’s dog or cat while they are away? You get to enjoy a dog or cat’s company without the long-term responsibility and cost of owning one.
Why not become a Paws Galore Pet Boarder?
Paws Galore – A Boutique Pet Boarding Service
Paws Galore is a Lane Cove-based business that offers home pet boarding. The business was established over eight years ago and receives continuous 5-star reviews. Paws Galore offers home pet boarding services to clients in greater Sydney, with numerous clients in the Upper and Lower North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, and Inner-West.
What is Home Pet Boarding?
Paws Galore fur babies all receive lots of love and attention and are treated as part of the family at the Pet Boarder’s home.
It’s like a holiday for your dog or cat in another person’s home where they will be looked after by pet lovers (i.e. Pet Boarders). The home boarding service appeals to pet owners who want their dog or cat to have a “home away from home”.
How Does it Work?
Paws Galore will match the right fit for your circumstances and availability. Their complimentary transport service (drop-offs and pick-ups) makes it simple for the pet owner and the pet boarder. Pet Boarders provide daily photos, so the owners are reassured their dog or cat is being well cared for – who does not love taking photos of cute dogs and cats?
Paws Galore Wants You to Become a Pet Boarder
Their much-adored “home” pet boarding service has been growing, and they are approaching their busiest period over the Christmas holidays. They are seeking Pet Boarders who can look after a dog or cat in their own home on a casual basis.
Do any of the following apply to you or your family?
- You love dogs or cats.
- You can look after a dog or cat in your home.
- You would love to enjoy the company of a dog or cat without the “long-term” responsibility and cost of owning one.
- You own a dog and want to have a playmate for a while.
- You would love some family bonding time where you can play with a dog or cat.
If any of the above apply, you should consider being a Pet Boarder.
How Do I Become a Pet Boarder?
To find out how to become a pet boarder, check out the Paws Galore website (click here to go to the join-us page) or call or text Hollie at 0434 834 088 or email [email protected] with your name and contact number and Paws Galore will get back to you.
Why not be a Pet Boarder this holiday season?
Paws Galore Pet Boarder Contact Details
Phone: Call or text Hollie on 0434 834 088
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pawsgalore.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PawsGalore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paws.galore/
By the way, if you love looking at cute dogs and cats – you must follow Paws Galore’s Instagram – a sneak peek below
Help Support Local and Independent News
You can support us in three ways:
- Become an ITC reader sponsor – If you have enjoyed our local news coverage, please consider becoming 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. Buy a Coffee here.
- If 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.
