Welcome to our week in review.
Spate of Break-Ins Strikes Lane Cove Businesses
Three Lane Cove businesses were broken into in the past week. The incidents have locals questioning whether it is time for increased security or Police presence in the central Lane Cove Village, particularly in the early mornings when each break-in occurred.
TSG Tobacco Station – Longueville Road 5th February 2025
As reported last week, the Tsg Tobacco Station was Ram Raided early on Wednesday, 5th February 2025.
Two teenagers were arrested and charged following an investigation into the alleged ram raid on Longueville Road.
The male youth faces eleven charges, including aggravated burglary with intent while armed, unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of motor vehicle theft, entering a home with intent to steal, aggravated burglary, evading police in a dangerous manner, property damage, trespassing, using an offensive weapon to resist arrest, and bail violation.
The female youth is charged with six offences: two counts of being a passenger in a stolen vehicle, entering a vehicle without permission, theft, aggravated burglary, and possession of stolen property.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the 15-year-old boy was already out on bail for another incident. Read their full article here (paywalled).
Guzman Y Gomez – Lane Cove Plaza – 7th February 2025
A man broke into Guzman Y Gomez at 3.30 am on Friday 7th February 2025.
The man is described as having a solid build with a goatee beard. A man fitting that description was seen in the plaza on Saturday (wearing a similar hoodie). It is possible that he could have been scoping out more businesses. If you are a local business and have CCTV, register it with the local police to make it easier for them to obtain footage.
A police report has been filed. If you have any information, please get in touch with the Chatswood police at 9414 8499.
One Seed Patisserie – Longueville Road Monday 10th February 2025
One Seed Patisserie on Longueville Road was broken into Monday 10th Feb 2025.
The break-in was discovered at approximately 3 am. The perpetrator/s gained access via a window. The thieves cut the line to the till and took it and its contents. The police attended and took fingerprints.
A police report has been filed. If you have any information, please get in touch with the Chatswood police at 9414 8499.
Neil Diamond Tribute Show Entertains
On Friday, 7 February 2025, the Lane Cove Council organised another concert at The Canopy, this time Forever Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute show (see our cover photo).
The energetic show had attendees singing along to all the classics; from Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, I am…I Said, and more.
The supporting act was Phonic Trio – a Lane Cove band (who will also be performing at Sunset Diner on 22 February 2025).
Get ready for the next big concert – Ladies of the 80’s – read more here.
40A Cope Street Development Approved
RetireAustralia lodged a Development Application (DA 134/2022) to redevelop the former Caroline Chisholm Retirement Village at 40A Cope Street into independent living apartments for seniors. The Sydney North Planning Panel was responsible for approving or declining the DA. Background details are here.
Lane Cove Council’s report to the Sydney North Planning Panel included the following:
“Some 99 unique submissions were received in response to the public notification period, most of which raise legitimate concerns about potential adverse impacts.
It is considered that the site is impacted by several constraints, including:
- Inadequate vehicular access;
- Close proximity to a number of residents adjoining to the north, east and south of the site;
- Heritage retaining wall;
- Building height and FSR standards;
- Lack of space and access during construction.
These constraints are not acknowledged in the overall design of the site, resulting in unacceptable bulk and scale of the buildings.
The development also fails to comply with numerous development standards set out in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021, State Environmental Planning Policy 65 – Design Quality of Residential Apartment Development, the Apartment Design Guide and Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009.
It is recognised that the proposed development would assist in meeting the future needs of an aging population. However, the predominance of such developments places high importance on creating well designed accommodation which does not compromise the amenity of future residents or adjoining residents.”
The SNPP declined the DA on numerous grounds, including that the bulk and scale of the building were unacceptable and that the proposed development would not provide high amenities for future residents.
RetireAustralia appealed to the Land and Environment Court. RetireAustralia’s appeal was upheld by Commissioner Horton (judgement dated 21 Jan, and approval was granted for the development. Lane Cove Council was required to provide the court a copy of the Development Consent conditions. The Development consent terms will be uploaded to the Lane Cove Council DA portal once the Land and Environment Court are satisfied that the development content conditions are as per directions.
Commissioner Horton concluded:
“While I find the proposed development, as amended, may be deserving of the grant of consent subject to conditions of agreement, it is necessary to provide parties with the opportunity to amend the agreed without prejudice conditions of consent to correct what appears to be two oversights, in my view.
As stated at [188], parties agree that the development is for the accommodation of seniors in accordance with s 88 of the Housing SEPP, however, no provision has been made in the agreed conditions to this effect.
As stated at [201]-[202], parties are also in accord with Northrop Advice to the effect that OSD filtration will ensure a neutral or beneficial effect on the quality of water entering the waterways.
Accordingly, I direct that parties to confer further on those two matters set out above and file amended conditions of consent in accordance with the directions that follow.
Directions
The court directs that parties confer and, within 14 days of these orders, file agreed conditions of consent in respect of:
- Accommodation being restricted to those persons identified at s 88 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021,
- Amendments to Stormwater Plans, consistent with advice provided by Northrop Consulting Engineers, dated 14 November 2024.”
You can read the entire decision here. We will let you know when the Development Consent conditions are available for viewing.
Development Application Lodged for Redevelopment of the LCM Churches Site Corner of Rosenthal Av and Finlayson St
ITC has been advised that National property and construction group Traders In Purple has lodged a development application to renew St Andrew’s Anglican Church Lane Cove, unlocking land for new housing and church and community facilities. The Lane Cove Council today sent out notification to neighbours advising them that the development application is on display for comment.
In partnership with Sydney Anglican Property and Sustainable Development Group, Traders In Purple proposes 47 premium apartments, a 400-plus seat auditorium for ministry and community use and the adaptive reuse of the original 1924-built parish church.
You can search for the DA on the Lane Cove Council website as DA 24/142 – once ITC has had a chance to review all the documents uploaded, we will provide further information.
Recycling and Sustainability In The Spotlight
Recycle, Re-Use, Re-Home Event A Success
On Saturday, 8 February 2025, Lane Cove Council hosted a recycling event at Blackman Park. Lane Cove and Hunters Hill LGA residents were able to drop off items including bicycles, e-bikes, scooters and e-scooters, used and torn clothing, textiles and shoes, bric-a-brac: pots, pans, reusable toys, sporting goods and small homewares and soft plastics.
Final statistics for the event are still being finalised. However, we can report that the event attracted at least 180 attendees who dropped off:
♻️ Enough bikes to fill a truck – final figures yet to be provided
♻️ 1,356 kg of clothing – enough to fill almost three vans
♻️ 440 kg bric-a-brac
♻️ 122 kg soft plastics collected
The Lane Cove Council and Homecycle organised the recycling. For information on what happens after Homecycle collects the items, see below.
North Sydney Community Recycling Centre
Last Tuesday, 4 February 2025, there was a large fire at a St Mary’s chemical recycling facility (see ABC article here). As a result, the North Sydney Community Recycling Centre (CRC) located in Artarmon has suspended collection of the following items:
❌ Paint
❌ Oil
❌ Light globes
❌ Gas cylinders
❌ Aerosols
❌ Household batteries or embedded batteries
HomeCycle, Lane Cove Council’s household recycling collection service, has also suspended the paint collection.
Rotary Car Boot Sale
The Rotary Club of Lane Cove is holding a car boot sale in March 2025. A great opportunity to sell items you no longer need or grab a bargain whilst supporting a sustainability initiative. Details on the poster are below.
Greenwich Point Wharf Upgrade Complete
The upgrade to the Greenwich Point Wharf has been completed. The upgrade was undertaken to improve the safety and accessibility of the site. Construction work for the upgrade began in April 2024 and necessitated the closure of the wharf and the temporary suspension of ferry services.
Further work was required through January to finalise the lift installation and connection to services. See the project completion notification from Transport for NSW.
Lane Cove Council Revels in Resilience and Radiance this NSW Women’s Week
Lane Cove Council in partnership with Gallery Lane Cove, have created Resilience and Radiance – a weeklong program celebrating women, and women artists who identify as LGBTQIA+.
With support from the NSW Government Women’s Week grant, the event series honours women and their contribution to the community through art and conversation.
The program will be hosted at Gallery Lane Cove, with the centrepiece being a very special exhibition showcasing LGBTQIA+ women artists in a spectacular show curated by Sarah Rose from Art Space.
The following events are also part of this special program at Gallery Lane Cove:
Tuesday 4 March – ‘Resilience and Radiance’ show curated by Sarah Rose opens
Wednesday 5 March – for local businesses, an evening with award-winning creative and ex-social media manager at MONA, Liana Rossi, in an inspiring keynote on honing your creativity
Friday 7 March – Seniors Festival Guided Tour and refreshments
Saturday 8 March – International Women’s Day Shared Table and Finissage – join artists as they cook a special dish and share insights into their work and the creative process.
Mayor Merri Southwood says of the program “Lane Cove Council is proud to celebrate the resilience and radiance of women in our community, especially those whose voices and artistry enrich our cultural landscape. This NSW Women’s Week, we invite everyone to join us to reflect, connect, and celebrate the power of art and conversation.”
Lane Cove Council: St Leonards Public Forum
Lane Cove Council will be holding a public forum to discuss issues regarding Local Planning, Development, Infrastructure and the Environment in St Leonards.
When: Thursday 13th February 2025, 5 – 6.30 pm
Where: – Conference Room St Leonards Library, 88 Christie St, St Leonards
Council Planning & Infrastructure staff will be available to explain recent NSW Government Planning reforms and initiatives, including the Affordable Housing Bonus Scheme and Transport Oriented Development.
Have Your Say: Lane Cove Council Seeking Feedback
Liveable Lane Cove 2035 – The People’s Plan. Open for feedback now until late March 2025
From this week, Lane Cove Council will be seeking feedback on their 10-year community plan. Feedback will be sought via phone survey, online, community workshops and pop-up information stalls in places like the plaza throughout the review period.
Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan 2024/25 – Closes 19 February 2025
Council is currently developing a new Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) 2024-25 which helps to identify actions to provide convenient access and mobility in and around our community. In addition to identifying strategic outcomes, the PAMP will include a works schedule that can be incorporated into other infrastructure plans for clear direction on how to deliver on the commitment to a more accessible community.
See here for more information and to take the survey.
Pottery Lane Performance Space – Visitor Feedback
If you have visited the new Pottery Lane Performance space for one of the venue trial evetns, Council would love your feedback.
Lane Cove Toy Library Seeks Youth Volunteers
Are you a Year 10 or older student needing to complete community service for school or the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
The Lane Cove Toy Library is looking for volunteers to work on Saturday mornings for two hours – 9.00 am to 11.00 pm and 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. You must commit for a whole term and be available for an induction session.
If you are interested, scan the QR code below and sign up as a volunteer (bonus you get to lend out some really cool board games for free).
Business Alerts
Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness is coming to the old Commonwealth Bank site on Longueville Road. The gym will have quite a large footprint over two levels. They will open in April 2025. You can find out more and take a virtual tour here.
SBreadhouse
This week ITC was lucky enough to sample @sbreadhouse Banh Mi and was hooked at first bite. They are located behind Pho Sam. The entrance is via a door overlooking The Canopy (near the back of Lane Cove Newsagency). They will be officially opening in a few weeks, so stay tuned, and we will let you know the official launch date. Follow them on Instagram and get ready to be wowed. Full disclosure: ITC loves a good Banh Mi and even follows the Banh Mi Appreciation Society group
Lane Cove Council Construction Update
Work is progressing at two local community facilities being constructed on behalf of Lane Cove Council.
Lane Cove Sport and Recreation Facility
Construction of the Lane Cove Sport and Recreation Facility at 180 Northwood Road Lane Cove is well underway! Lane Cove Golf Club members and social golfers have a bird’s eye view, and this image from the club’s newsletter shows just how much progress has been made.
Bob Campbell Oval Greenwich
Greenwich Community Association recently shared this image of the progress being made to upgrade the Bob Campbell Oval in Greenwich.
Local Sporting Clubs Taking Registrations
It’s that time of the year when school is back, and your child (or you) wants to be involved in Saturday or Sunday sports. Here’s the low-down on how to get involved with a Lane Cove Sports Club.
Accidents and Incidents
One of the black spots in the Lane Cove LGA is the intersection of River Road and Northwood Road (near the Lane Cove Golf Course).
There have been discussions about the need to improve this intersection for years. Ideas have floated like a roundabout, which was unacceptable to Transport for NSW. Read our previous article on this blackspot and see pictures of some of the crashes that have occurred at this spot.
There was another accident at this intersection this week, one of the drivers contacted ITC (their car below) and asked us to find out Lane Cove Council’s plans for upgrading this black spot. We will let you know when we hear from Lane Cove Council about their plans to fix this black spot.
Week in Review Sponsor – Sayulita Lane Cove
Celebrate love with Sayulita’s special five-course set menu for $79 or just have a Margarita.
The menu features ceviche oysters, chorizo empanadas, corn ribs, barramundi or carne asada and Mexican chocolate tiramisu! Bookings fill fast; head to their website to secure your table. Of course you can enjoy Sayulita and their Summer Margarita specials any time – check them out below.
Contact Details
Address: Shop 3, The Canopy 2 Rosenthal Ave Lane Cove
Instagram: @sayulita.lanecove/
Website: www.sayulita.com.au
Phone: +61 2 7202 0042
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