Lane Cove News Week in Review 31st January to 7th February 2024

Welcome to our week in review.

Lane Cove North’s Grant Berthold Named Willougby Citizen of the Year

Two recipients were awarded the 2024 Willoughby Citizen of the Year this year.

One of the recipients was Lane Cove North’s Grant Berthold, a long-term volunteer in the community who generously contributed his time to initiatives such as parkrun and the SES. Grant actively seeks opportunities to unite the community and facilitates inclusiveness by encouraging participants of all abilities. Grant is also a big supporter of local students undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh award in volunteering.

Grant is also the driving force behind Willoughby parkrun – read more about parkrun here.

Watch Out For Falling Objects at Little Street Carpark (Lane Cove Aquactic Side)

In July 2023, NSW Fair Trading issued a rectification order for the Little Lane Car Park Building’s building defects. Read the story here.

The photos below were taken on 4th February 2023.

ITC will request further information from the Lane Cove Council on why the barricades have been installed.

 

St Andrews Uniting Church Longueville Celebrates its Centenary

On February 3, 1924, St Andrews Church Longueville held its first Service. A special centenary service was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, to celebrate this milestone.

Rev Krikor Youmshajekian led the service.  As luck would have it, Rev James Knowles, the Eastbourne All Saints Anglican Church’s rector of the United Kingdom, was visiting his parents, Frank and Virginia Knowles.

Rev James Knowles is a former member of the congregation. He was asked to be a Guest Preacher, and Rev Krikor Youmshajekian and Rev Knowles led the communion.

Lane Cove Mayor Scott Bennison, Deputy Mayor David Roenfeldt, Councillors Katherine Mort and Merri Southwood attended the Service. The federal member for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, sent a video message of congratulations.

Longueville resident Robin Cummins played the bagpipes to welcome locals to the Service and, at the end of the formal Service, played “Happy Birthday”.

Everyone stayed after the Service for a chat and to reminisce in the War Memorial Hall, with catering generously supplied by church members.

NSW Planning Reforms

As mentioned last week, the NSW Government has proposed sweeping changes to NSW planning laws to address housing supply issues by increasing the amount of low and medium-density housing.

The proposed reforms seek to:

• Allow dual occupancies (two dwellings on the same lot) in all R2 low-density residential zones across NSW.
• Allow terraces, townhouses, and 2-story apartment blocks near transport hubs and town centres in R2 low-density residential zones across the Six Cities Region.
• Allow mid-rise apartment blocks near transport hubs and town centres in R3 medium-density zones across the six cities region.

This NSW government plan is to create more housing within walking distance of transport hubs, shops, and amenities.

 

The NSW Government is seeking public feedback on the proposed reforms to housing policy. You must submit your comments by Friday, 23 February 2024. To learn how to have your say, visit the NSW Planning website.

Lane Cove Council has noted it will submit a submission to the NSW Government on the reforms.  A draft submission will be presented to Councillors on 22 February 2024 at the Lane Cove Council’s February Meeting (the first one of the year).

Lane Cove Council will hold an information session on 20 February 2023. Bookings are essential (you can attend in person or via Zoom). Details are here.

 

What Approach Have Nearby Councils Taken?

You can read the briefing paper prepared by North Sydney Council staff here.

North Sydney’s community briefing on the planned town changes is scheduled for 14 February 2024 – further details here.

 

Willoughby City Council – Summary of changes here and their submission will be uploaded to that page.

Ku-Ring-Gai Council – The council held a community meeting.  You can read the council’s submissions here.

Sydney Water Outage – Lane Cove North

On 31 January 2023, the water supply was interrupted in the Lane Cove North Area around Landers Road, Karilla Avenue, Nundah Street, and Parklands Avenue.

The Sydney Water Outage page noted the following:

“A burst water pipe on Karilla Avenue has resulted in 92 homes without water.”

The water was turned off at around 1.10 p.m. and was due to be back on by 4.30 p.m.- it was flowing again around 6.10 p.m.

Soon after, another leak was discovered near Stringybark Child Care Centre.

See the map below. This map shows more detail than the information provided by Sydney Water during the four-day outage in September 2022.

However, it does not show all the impacted streets, and again, there was an issue with some residents filling out the form on the Sydney Water Outage page only to be informed that there was no issue in their street.  ITC will compile another report for Sydney Water on how their system failed again.

 

Recyclesmart – New Items Added to Their Pick-Up List

RecycleSmart has announced that they will now pick up the following items:

NEW: Yoga mats

LovEarth upcycles your old yoga mats and donates them to community centres and not-for-profit organisations. Roll the mat and put it in your bag at your following Power Pickup.

NEW: Sunglasses, eyewear and single-use contact lens cases

RecycleSmart collects sunglasses, eyewear, and single-use contact cases to be recycled by Opticycle. Please put broken eyewear and single-use contact lens cases in a ziplock bag and place them at the top of your bags.

Given the recent summery days (but not today), they also want to remind you that they take the following:

Beach towels

RecycleSmart collects beach towels to be repaired to be resold or recycled into industrial cleaning rags with Upcycle4Better.

Did you know Recyclesmart also collects sandals, thongs, and all types of shoes? They will be repaired and resold or recycled with Upcycle4Better.

Stainless steel and Aluminium Reusable Bottles

RecycleSmart collects reusable water bottles (or wine picnic coolers) to be recycled as part of our cookware category. Please remove the plastic lid before placing it in your bags.

Find out more about recyclesmart here.

 

Lane Cove Events

Get Ready to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Lane Cove and Chatswood!

Events have kicked off in Chatswood, and Lane Cove will come next Friday, 9th Feb.

One of Lane Cove’s favourite events is the Lion Dance each year in the Lane Cove Plaza, and then the Lions move to The Canopy. This event is on Friday 9th Feb 2024. Read our Lunar New Year article to find out about

• Lunar New Year in Lane Cove
• Lunar New Year in Chatswood – Willoughby City Council
• Lunar New Year Exhibitions and Workshops at Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios
• The screen on the Green – How to Train Your Dragon
• Lunar New Year in Lane Cove Restaurant Deals

Details here.

Laterns have been placed in the Lane Cove Plaza, ready for the celebrations (see our cover photo).

Celebrate Pride

Celebrate Pride and hear from a panel of diverse speakers to celebrate the Mardi Gras Festival 2024.

Meet local LGBTQIA+ community members and allies, network with other attendees, and hear from a panel of speakers covering social cohesion, resilience, and unity topics.

Share light refreshments and connect with new and old friends.

Tickets are free, but bookings are essential.

It is hosted by Lane Cove Council, in conjunction with Good for the Hood and Sydney North Health Network, and in collaboration with The Alcott, Lane Cove, and KNC (Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre).

Booking details here:

North Shore Rowing Club

Over the weekend, the North Shore Rowing Club officially opened their new pontoon and launched four new boats.

North Shore Rowing Club was established in 1879 and is the oldest sporting Club on Sydney’s north shore. It has been in its current location, on the Lane Cove River at Longueville, since 1933.

The Club’s main objective is encouraging locals to take up rowing as a sport.

Club members have succeeded in State, National and International competitions, including several Olympics. Today, the North Shore Rowing Club is Sydney’s pre-eminent masters rowing club.

The new pontoon doubles its boating capacity.   The Club regularly holds Learn to Row courses, but they are so popular there is a waiting list.

Lane Cove Swimming Club

Lane Cov Swim Club members competed in the Cole Classic over the weekend.  Some great results:

1KM:
Charlotte Willmore came 4th in the Female 13-15

2KM:
Robert Napoli came 1st in the Male 16-19
Rhiannon Trang came 5th in the Female 16-19
Jess Aldons came 11th in the Female 13-15
Jack Dunk came 17th in the Male 12-15

5KM:
Harry Black came 4th in the Men’s Elite Open

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Crime, Incident and Accident Report

The North Shore Police Area Command has advised ITC of the following incidents around Lane Cove and the lower north shore.

Drive While Disqualified & Deal with the Proceeds of Crime – Lane Cove – 18/02/2024

A 33-year-old Waratah West man has been charged with two offences after police stopped a vehicle in Lane Cove.

At 3:05 am on Thursday 18th of January, police were patrolling alone on Epping Road, Lane Cove, when they allegedly noticed a headlight on a black Volkswagen was out. Police followed the vehicle onto Birdwood Avenue and observed the vehicle come to a stop in a no-stopping area.

The 33-year-old male exited the driver’s seat, and a female associate exited the front passenger seat. Police will allege that the male approached police and told them that he didn’t have a current driver’s license.

Police completed checks on the male which revealed that he was disqualified from driving from May 2015 until December 2028. It was also discovered that he was subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO). As a result, the male and vehicle were searched by police.

During the search, police will allege in court that they located $9,430 cash tied up in rubber bands in the driver’s side door of the vehicle. The male told police that he had won the money moments prior to being stopped by police on the poker machines at a local hotel, however, did not have any receipts to prove this.

Police attended the hotel and spoke with staff who confirmed that there had been no significant winnings that night.  Staff further told police that any winnings over $5,000 are given via a bank cheque, and identification details are taken from the winner.

The male was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for the offences of ‘Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period’ and ‘Recklessly deal with proceeds of crime’. He is due to appear before Hornsby Local Court on March 7th.

Malicious Damage & Goods in Custody – Mosman – 22/01/2024

A 38-year-old Freshwater man will face Manly Local Court in February after allegedly damaging vehicles in Mosman.

At 2:00 a.m. on January 22, police were called to Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, regarding a male damaging a parked vehicle.

Police arrived shortly and found three damaged vehicles parked on Bradleys Head Road.  All three cars sustained damage to the driver-side mirrors. A short distance away, police located the Freshwater man holding a metal bottle. Police will allege the male used the metal bottle to damage the vehicles.

Police arrested the male and searched him. Police will allege that during the search, they located a debit card and a rewards card that did not belong to the male. The male allegedly told police that he found the cards.

The male was conveyed to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with ‘Destroy or damage property’ and ‘Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen’.  The man was given conditional bail and will face Manly Local Court on the 15th of February.

Shoplifting – Neutral Bay – 19/01/2024

A 41-year-old Neutral Bay man has been charged with Shoplifting.

It is alleged that at 3:20 pm on Thursday the 18th of January, the Neutral Bay man entered a store located within a shopping centre on Military Road, Neutral Bay. The male selected three items and secreted them within his backpack. The male then selected one more item and left the store without making an attempt to pay for the items.  The total value of the items allegedly taken was $158.85.

The following day, police attended the store and commenced an investigation. While reviewing CCTV footage, staff informed police that the male had returned to the store. Police approached the male and placed him under arrest.

The male was conveyed to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with Shoplifting. On January 25, he attended Manly Local Court and entered a guilty plea.

The Neutral Bay man is due to be sentenced at Manly Local Court on the 7th of March 2024.

Possess Graffiti Implement – Crows Nest – 19/01/2024

A 16-year-old Wollstonecraft boy has been charged after allegedly being located with graffiti implements.

At 11:45 pm on Friday 19th of January, police were patrolling along Shirley Road, Crows Nest, when they sighted the Wollstonecraft Young Person at the intersection of the Pacific Highway. Police will allege that the boy was holding a paint roller at the time.

Upon seeing the police, it will be alleged that the Young Person ran from the location. Police gave chase and located the boy a short distance away, allegedly hiding under a bush. Police had cause to search the Young Person and will allege they located six spray paint cans in his backpack.

The young person was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with ‘Possess Graffiti Implementation’.

The Young Person will face Surry Hills Children’s Court in March.

Traffic Stop – Artarmon – 26/01/2024

29-year-old Mona Vale woman has been charged with several offences after the vehicle she was driving was stopped by police.

At 10:00 pm on Friday, the 26th of January, police were patrolling Mowbray Road, Artarmon, when a white Volkswagen came under notice. Police stopped the vehicle a short time later and spoke with the 29-year-old woman who was allegedly driving the vehicle.

Police requested the woman produce her driver’s licence, and she allegedly handed police a Victorian Driver’s License. Checks on the license produced by the woman revealed that it was fake. As a result, the woman was placed under arrest and asked to exit the vehicle. Police will allege in court that the woman refused to exit the car and tried to drive off, forcing police to remove her from the vehicle and restrain her physically.

Upon restraining the woman, police searched her bag and alleged they located a New South Wales Learners Class Drivers Licence belonging to the woman. Police will also allege in court that the male passenger in the vehicle was not the holder of an appropriate licence to supervisor the Mona Vale woman while driving.

Police will allege that in a further search of the woman’s belongings, they located another NSW Driver’s Licence, as well as a Medicare card and debit card that did not belong to the Mona Vale woman.

The woman was conveyed to Chatswood Police Station, where she was submitted to an oral fluid drug test, which allegedly returned a positive result for Methamphetamine and Cocaine. A sample of this test has been sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The 29-year-old woman was charged with ‘Learner not Accompanied by Driver’, ‘Hinder or Resist Police’, ‘Possess false document to influence exercise public duty’ and ‘Goods in Personal Custody suspected of being Stolen’.

The woman’s bail was refused, and she will face Liverpool Local Court on February 14th. Pending the results of the sample sent to the laboratory, further charges are likely.