Lane Cove News Week in Review 4th July to 10 July 2024

Welcome to our week-in-review.  It was wet, wet, wet – not a great start to the school holidays.

The good news is parking in Lane Cove car parks is more manageable with more spots available while families are away enjoying the school holiday break.

Plug In and Pay

From 1 July 2024, EV drivers must pay for charging in three Lane Cove Council Car parks (read our article here). See our cover photo on Monday, July 8th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Are the spaces free due to school holidays or because fees have been introduced?

New ANZAC Day Trading Hours Laws

Today, the NSW State Government announced that there will be changes to the laws on ANZAC Day trading hours after a review.  In the past, supermarkets and other non-exempt stores could open at 1 pm.   The following announcement was made today:

“The NSW Government will extend retail trading restrictions to cover all of ANZAC Day to ensure the service of veterans is recognised, and people are able to take part in services throughout the day.

Retail traders such as supermarkets and fashion retailers must stay closed until 1 pm under the Retail Trading Act. The change will see them remain closed until midnight.

The restrictions do not apply to small businesses, businesses not considered retailers, or businesses with exemptions, such as markets, cafes, chemists, newsagencies, and takeaway restaurants.

These businesses will continue to remain open the entire day.

A review into ANZAC Day trading restrictions commenced last year, and a public consultation period ran from September to October.

A majority of submissions supported full-day restrictions, including support from veterans, veterans’ organisations and members of the public.

Given the significance of the day, most Australian states impose Anzac Day trading restrictions.

Restricted trading provides workers and businesses the opportunity to participate in commemorative and community events and pay their own respects.”

Each ANZAC Day, ITC publishes an article on trading hours. Read about the retailers that did not open until after 1 p.m. here. They will now not be permitted to open on ANZAC Day.

New Sydney Metro Set to Open

The Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, has announced the target opening date for the Sydney Metro City as 4 August 2024.

This opening date is subject to final testing and regulatory approvals.

Transport for NSW has previously stated that the planned route and timetable changes for the North West and North Shore bus routes will take effect on the Metro opening date.

More details in our article

Lane Cove in the News

On 4 July 2024, The Daily Telegraph published an article on the NSW Housing Crisis – NSW housing crisis: 11,000 homes rejected by NSW Planning in 2023-24 financial year (read the article here – it is paywalled)

The article lists the number of homes the Sydney North Planning Panel rejected due to councils not supporting a development application.  See below; the Daily Telegraph has listed the development of 52 homes in Cope Street as being rejected.  This is incorrect; a Seniors Living Development at 40A Cope Street submitted by Retire Australia was not approved at 40A Cope Street.  Whether or not the development consent will be granted, is before the Land and Environment Court.  Read the background here.

Secret Sydney Names Lane Cove as the Safest Suburb

An article by Secret Sydney has been shared by locals on social media.  The article names Lane Cove as the second safest suburb in Sydney.  The article links to the NSW Bureau of Crime and Statistics (BOSCAR) website.  BOSCAR advised an ITC Roving Reporter the following:

“We’ve had a look at the article and haven’t been able to replicate the numbers in this story (e.g. “around 172.4 incidents per 100,000 people in [Ku-Ring-Gai]”) as the article does not specify what offence type they’re referring to.”

The BOSCAR population data is based on 2021 figures, so Secret Sydney’s ranking system is not based on current population data.

You can read the article here.

Save North Sydney Electorate Campaign Launched

As previously reported, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced a draft electoral redistribution plan.  There is a recommendation to abolish the federal seat of North Sydney. Under this plan, voters in the North Sydney Electorate will be distributed to the electorates of Warringah, Bradfield, or Bennelong at the next election.  The Lane Cove Local Government area and Hunters Hill will become part of Bennelong.

The Federal Member for North Sydney and her supporters have launched a campaign to “Save North Sydney.”  Further details here.

Business Alerts

As previously reported, a new Vietnamese Restaurant will open in Lane Cove in the old La Provence building near BWS on Burns Bay Road. 

The restaurant is called Le Tran.

This week, ITC spoke to the owners during the fit-out.  They told us they hope to open next weekend.  The owners told ITC they had previously owned a restaurant in Rozelle (for 30 years).  They are still finalising the menu – watch this space!

ITC Loves a Competition!

Take part in Lane Cove Council’s SNAP CHALLENGE: From the bushwalks and the parks; to the shopping and the water, there’s lots to love about Lane Cove!

Show Lane Cove Council how you Love Where You Live for your chance to win one of six $50 Lane Cove Gift Cards! Some of the photos will also feature in the Lane Cove Council’s upcoming Annual Report, as well as on their website and Facebook page.

Simply send Council a photo that you have taken of beautiful Lane Cove to [email protected] to enter. We can’t wait to see your photos! Entries close at 11:59 pm Sunday, 14 July 2024.

For more information and full Terms and Conditions, visit: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/snap

Lane Cove Guides Support Make-A-Wish Australia

The Lane Cove Guides held a successful rummage sale in May, with over $1000 raised for Make-A-Wish Australia.

All the games left over have now been given a second life through The Lane Cove Toy Library rather than going to landfills. The Lane Cove Toy Library has games from 0 to 18 and heaps of family games for locals to try out and see if they like them (and you don’t have to store them; you can bring them back when you are finished).

One of the central themes of Girl Guides is making choices for a better world, and Lane Cove Girl Guides is doing just that.

Lane Cove Girl Guides has opportunities today for Girls from 7-17 years old, and women of all ages are invited to Volunteer as Leaders. 

Enquire today at www.girlguides-nswactnt.org.au 

Local Crime, Accident and Incident Report

Accidents 

On 3 July, at around 10:00 pm (on a wet night), a driver lost control of their vehicle on Burns Bay Road (not far from the Tambourine Bay Road intersection). No one was injured.

Crime

Stolen Maserati Pursued in Longueville

The North Shore Police Area Command are seeking information about a stolen Maserati seen on River Road near Longueville.

The police advised:

“At about 11:45 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024, Police were conducting proactive patrols on River Road, near Longueville, when the driver of a Maserati was observed wearing a balaclava. Police turned to follow the Maserati, which allegedly steadily increased its speed.

Police initiated a pursuit with the Maserati and conducted checks, which revealed the vehicle was listed as stolen. The quest continued briefly until it was terminated due to excessive speed and the risk it posed to the community.

Police are making several enquiries to locate the driver of the vehicle. Anyone with information or a dashcam from River Road must contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.”

P-Plater’s License Suspended for Speed and Passenger Violation

An 18 year old male has received two infringements and had his licence suspended after a traffic incident on Burns Bay Road, Linley Point.

About 11:00 pm Friday 21st June 2024 Police were conducting speed enforcement of Linley Point when a Red Tesla bearing red P plates was observed at what police allege was 128KM/H in a 70KM/H zone. Police stopped the Tesla shortly after which was occupied by the male and two other persons under 21 years old.

The driver was issued with two infringements; One for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45 km/h and one  for being a P1 driver under 25 years old driving between 11pm and 5am with more than 1 passenger under 21 years old in the vehicle.

The infringements totalled $3,438 in fines and 9 demerit points, resulting in suspension of the driver’s license.

14-Year-Old on Graffiti Charges in Chatswood

Intentionally mark premises etc without prescribed consent & Possess graffiti implement with intent to contravene s 4(2) – Chatswood – 05/07/2024

About 3:20 pm Friday 5th July 2024 Police were conducting a foot patrol of Chatswood Oval when Police allege that they observed a 14-year-old male graffitiing a concrete pillar of the grandstand. Police approached the young person and introduced themselves at which stage the young person ran from Police. The young person was stopped shortly after by Police when he was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station.

He was charged with Intentionally marking a premises without consent, and possessing graffiti implements. He will appear before Surry Hills Children’s Court in August.

Woman Charged With Using Stolen Credit Card and Drug Possession

Around 4:00 pm Friday 5th July 2024 a 38-year-old female entered Chatswood Interchange using what Police will allege is a stolen credit card. The female sighted police inside the Metro and immediately changed direction to avoid Police.

She was approached shortly after, had a conversation with Police and as a result, was searched. Police allegedly located a stolen credit card, and a small clear cylinder of what Police will allege is Cannabis.

The female was issued with a Field Court attendance notice for Dishonestly obtaining financial advantage and Possessing Prohibited Drug, and Goods suspected of being stolen. She will appear before Hornsby Local Court in August.

Alleged Trespassing at Taronga Zoo

On Sunday 7th July at approximately 7.20 pm, two men, aged 40 years-old and 37-years-old, were allegedly observed jumping over the railing fence that surrounds Taronga Zoo. 

Police were notified as a result and attended the scene shortly after. Police located the males outside the boundary of the premises, and issued them with a move on direction to leave the area, which they complied with.

Both males were allegedly intoxicated and supplied varying versions of events. As such, investigations continue, and it is likely the males will face Manly Local Court in the coming months.

Man Charged with Being in Possession of Knife on Crows Nest Street 

At approximately 2:50 am Monday 8th July 2024 Police were conducting proactive patrols of Crow’s Nest when they observed a group of three males walking along Alexander Street. When the group of males saw the Police, they immediately split up and walked in opposite directions.

Two of the males were stopped by Police shortly after and denied knowing each other. After speaking with the men, Police had cause to search them. A 36-year-old male was allegedly found to be in possession of a fold out knife and scalpel. Police seized the knives and issued the male with a notice to attend Manly Local Court in August. 

Police also located a bag of housebreaking implements in the vicinity of where the males were initially observed. Enquiries are continuing to determine if the items belonged to any of the males at which stage further charges may be laid.

Week in Review Sponsor – Willoughby Glass