Stringbark Creek Residents Association (SBCRA) was formed in 1993 with a very simple focus; to help preserve and improve common welfare, traffic, health, safety, transport, bushland, and environment within the Lane Cove North Area.
In 2023 the SBCRA changed its constitution to include building community within the Lane Cove North Area. Building community has been an important focus of the SBCRA, but now it is enshrined in their constitution. They have built community with their Australia Day Clean Ups and their Wild About Lane Cove Events at Mindarie Park.
On Wednesday, 23rd November 2023, ITC attended their 30th Birthday celebrations. It was great to hear the intergenerational panel talk about why they love living in Lane Cove and the Stringybark Creek Area.
SBCRA Achievements over 30 years
Bush Regeneration
SBCRA founded the Bushcare organisation within Lane Cove in 1994, which continues today. It is the longest-standing volunteer team working in a local reserve in Lane Cove. It complements the Bush Regeneration Works carried out by Lane Cove Council in Batten Reserve.
Mindarie Park
Lobbying for a park in Lane Cove North and working with the Lane Cove Council on the establishment of Mindarie Park
Lane Cove Tunnel
SBCRA was the initiator of the Lane Cove Tunnel Action Group (LCTAG) and it was through collaboration with all the other local resident groups that they succeeded in achieving the impossible – a tunnel which forms a key part of the Sydney road network, whilst minimising impacts to the residents of Lane Cove and to the surrounding bushland area.
Traffic Lights at Tantallon Road
Can you imagine trying to cross a 6-lane highway with only two egress points, one a blind bend, the other at the peak of a hill with bad sightlines to the west? That is what the residents of Johntson Crescent, Tantallon Rd and Fraser St had to contend with every day.
With increased traffic and accidents after the Gore Hill Freeway opened in 1992, the SBCRA persisted in addressing this important safety issue, and residents were rewarded when the RTA finally installed traffic lights in 1994.
Roundabout Cnr of Elizabeth Pde & Gordon Crescent
SBCRA worked successfully to achieve this roundabout that has increased the safety for motorists and residents at this dangerous 3-way junction.
Movement of Primary Gas Network Station
The Primary Gas Network Station was proposed for development adjacent to residences in Johnston Crescent or on Epping Rd adjacent to houses. The SBCRA alerted residents, made submissions to Lane Cove Council and the Gas Company and achieved the most appropriate result – the facility to be built in the Lane Cove Industrial Area.
Construction Hours and Development Applicaitons
SBCRA lobbied Lane Cove Council to limit working hours on Apartment Development sites, including an hour’s respite during the day and no jackhammering on Saturdays. These working hours restrictions have benefited all of the Lane Cove Council area. They comment on Development Applications and how they will impact the local community.
Clean Up Australia Day
SCBRA coordinates the Clean Up Australia Day activities for streets and bushland in the Lane Cove North Area. It has been engaging local residents in this important annual event since 1996. Read about their 2023 Clean Up Australia Day event here.
Living with Wildlife and Wild About Lane Cove
On Sunday (2 April 2023) SBCRA and Lane Cove Council jointly organised Wild About Lane Cove at Mindarie Park Lane Cove North. The family-friendly event featured a wildlife show and a free BBQ.
Even the wet weather could not keep the kids (and the grown-ups) away. Over 100 locals braved the weather to enjoy learning more about wildlife living in the Stringy Bark Creek area.
Kylie Bryden Smith, Vice President of the Stringy Bark Creek Residents Association, told ITC:
“It was great to see the community coming together; many families were new to Australia, and this was their first time experiencing native wildlife.” Read more here.
The free wildlife show was presented by Anthony Stimson from Australian Wildlife Displays.
ITC readers regularly ask about tawny frog mouths. In 2016, residents contacted us about a strange noise that sounded like a car alarm that went off regularly. After some sleuthing and help from ITC roving reporters, we ascertained that the sound was some tawny frog mouths. Read our article here.
The idea for this event came after last year’s SBCRA “Living with Wildlife” information night with guest speaker Bev Young from Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services).
At this information night, residents discussed living with possums, native birds and reptiles, the risks they face in urban environments, and how locals can live more harmoniously with our ‘wild’ neighbours – of course, the ubiquitous brush turkey was a hot topic.
Footpaths, Traffic and Parking Issues and More
The SBCRA has also taken care of small things, which may pass unnoticed, but they add up to maintaining and improving the quality of life in our area such as broken footpaths, traffic and parking issues in our local streets.
How Can You Join The Stringybark Creek Residents Association?
If you live in Lane Cove North, the SBCRA would love to have you join their association. Click here to join the association.
SBCRA Events
Each year the SBCRA hold the following annual events:
Clean Up Australia Day at Batten Reserve – read more here
Bushcare Major Day Out – read more here
The Wild About Lane Cove event was such a success the SBCRA will hold a Wild About Lane Cove event each year.
To find out about those events – keep an eye on ITC’s event calendar or read our weekly news blast.
- the event calendar link is here
- sign up for our weekly news blast (we put the upcoming events in our weekly news blast)
To find out how to join the SBCRA – click here.
If you want to learn more about Residents’ Associations in other parts of Lane Cove, click here.
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