Welcome to our week in review.
Federal Election – 3 May 2025
With the Federal election being called for Saturday, 3rd May 2025, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has updated their website and provided details of the important dates for this election, including the cut-off for enrolling to vote or changing your details on the electoral rolls.
You must enroll to vote if you are 18 or older on 3 May 2025 and/or have recently become an Australian citizen.
If you have moved since the last election, you must update your address on the electoral roll. If your name has changed since the previous election, you must update it with the AEC.
Lane Cove is now in the Federal seat of Bennelong (previously, we were in North Sydney). The AEC has transferred voters enrolled in North Sydney to Bennelong. See below for more information.
In the Cove will publish an article about the candidates after nominations close on 11 April 2025. We will also host a Zoom meeting with the candidates, the date of which will be announced very soon (but is pencilled in for 15th April 2025 at 8 pm).
Two Acts of Tree Vandalism Under Investigation
Two acts of tree vandalism—one in Stringybark Reserve and one at The Canopy — have been reported in Lane Cove over the past week.
Lane Cove Council has reported a concerning act of tree vandalism at Stringybark Reserve. A hybrid blue gum, estimated to be over 60 years old, was deliberately damaged. This incident is the latest in a series of illegal actions targeting native vegetation across Sydney’s North Shore.
The damage to the hybrid blue gum is so severe that it now poses a safety risk to park visitors and nearby properties. Lane Cove Council has announced plans to remove the tree’s crown while retaining the trunk as a habitat for local wildlife to mitigate this hazard. The area will be monitored to ensure its ecological role continues.
Lane Cove Council workers will be on-site in the coming days to carry out these urgent safety measures. Access to parts of the reserve will be restricted during this time, and neighboring residents have already been notified of the temporary changes. More in our article.
In The Canopy forecourt, Lane Cove Council has erected the sign below advising of an unexpected tree death. Soil testing is underway to see if chemicals have been poured into the site’s water.
The investigations into both incidents continue. If you have any information regarding either event, you can call Lane Cove Council confidentially.
Lane Cove Goes Wild
On Sunday Stringybark Creek Residents Association, with the support of Lane Cove Council, hosted their Wild About Lane Cove event at Mindarie Park.
Over 130 participants of all ages braved the wet weather to enjoy a wildlife talk featuring a ringtail possum, blue tongue lizard, tawny frogmouth, turtle, goanna and a diamond python! There was also an opportunity to go on a guided bush walk to enjoy the beautiful nature that’s on our doorstep here in Lane Cove.
Learn more about the Stringybark Creek Residents Association in our article.
All photos courtesy Stringybark Creek Residents Association.
Lane Cove Joins Chatty Cafe Initiative
Next Tuesday, 8 April 2025, Lane Cove will join Australia’s growing Chatty network, joining an initiative to foster connected communities and reduce loneliness.
Lane Cove Mayor, Merri Southwood, will launch Lane Cove’s two Chatty venues: a permanent bench on the raised deck in the plaza and chairs in the foyer of Lane Cove Library. The Chatty Bench is distinctive with its yellow stripe.
The Lane Cove community is invited to attend the launch with the Mayor.
When: Tuesday, 8 April 2025
Location 1: Lane Cove Library 10 am – 12 pm
Location 2: Lane Cove Plaza 11 am – 12 pm
How: FREE & Bookings not required
You know ITC loves a chat – we are excited to visit these dedicated spaces and start conversations with locals and visitors!
Learn more about the Chatty Cafe initiative here.
Lane Cove’s Oldest Church Saved From Redevelopment
The Chatswood South Uniting Church will not undergo a significant redevelopment. ITC’s reporter, Jack Kelly, spoke to several Lane Cove residents who have fond memories of being married in the church. Read more here.
In November 2015, the Chatswood South Uniting Church, on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Mowbray Road (just near The Great Northern), was listed for sale. Two years later, it was relisted for sale.
The owner has now submitted a Development Application to the Lane Cove Council to build 40 new apartments.
The Development Application states “All existing buildings, other than the existing heritage significant church building, will be demolished and replaced with the proposed multi-dwelling housing development. The dwellings are of three (3) levels above ground. One (1) level of basement car parking is proposed, providing sufficient parking to meet the development needs.
The Developer withdrew the application, and no further applications have been submitted at this time (7 June 2023)
The proposal was withdrawn, and no further development applications were submitted until last year, when its new owners, the Evangelical Free Church of Australia, proposed a DA plan on 12 December 2024.
The DA submitted to Lane Cove Council is a far cry from the original request, only proposing minor internal and external renovations and some landscaping refurbishments.
WIN a Family Pass to the Sydney Royal Easter Show!
In The Cove is giving one lucky family the chance to experience all the fun of the Easter Show—from show bags to carnival rides and adorable baby animals!
Enter now for your chance to win.
Repair Cafe Featured On 2SER Breakfast Radio
Wendy Dyer, one of the founders of the Repair Cafe Sydney North, was recently a guest on not-for-profit radio station 2SER. Wendy told listeners all about the wonderful work the cafe does to prevent repairable items from going to landfills. Listen here.
Read more about the Repair Cafe Sydney North in our article here.
The Repair Cafe Sydney North is open on the first and second Sundays of the month. Their next opening days are:
Sunday 6 April, 2 pm – 4 pm
Sunday 13 April 2 pm – 4 pm
Find them at The Living & Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Road, Lane Cove.
Federal Election Sees Interest in Bennelong Seat
With the Federal Election set for Saturday 3 May there is increased interest in marginal seats, including Bennelong which Lane Cove is now part of. The Guardian Australia published this piece talking about the changing demographics of the electorate, including the impact of the dissolution of the North Sydney electorate which will see Lane Cove residents joining Bennelong.
See ITC’s explainer regarding the electoral seat changes.
Lane Cove Council Extends Time to Submit Comments On the Proposal to Redevelop LCM/St Andrews on Corner of Finlayson Street and Rosenthal Avenue
Lane Cove Council has published the following on their website:
The application for 8 – 10 Finlayson Street Lane Cove (DA152/24) has attracted a lot of community interest and Council has received a large volume of submissions.
In the Community interest the application will be renotified for a further 28 days. This will allow greater community input and consideration of the proposal.
People who have already made submissions will not need to resubmit. Notification letters to nearby residents will be sent out on Monday 31 March 2025.”
Read our two articles here on the redevelopment:
Lane Cove Development of St Andrews Church Sparks Community Division
Have Your Say: Lane Cove Council’s Draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy
Lane Cove Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy.
The draft policy outlines the actions and commitments Lane Cove Council will undertake to help reduce gambling-related harm. The policy aims to support a healthy, inclusive, and safe community by promoting environments that minimise exposure to gambling harm, particularly for vulnerable individuals and communities.
Read the full details, related documentation and make your submission here. The consultation period closes on 21 May 2025.
Spinach Products Recall
A nationwide recall of bagged salad products is taking place. All the major supermarkets (including IGA) are impacted to a certain degree. As of the date of this article, Harris Farm Markets has not issued any product recall notices, as they may have different suppliers from the larger supermarkets.
It is not only bagged salad products that are impacted, Woolworths has also recalled in QLD and NSW:
- Woolworths Asian Greens Stir Fry Vegetables 250g | Available in QLD and NSW
- Woolworths Cook Super Green Stir Fry 250g | Available in QLD and NSW
- Woolworths Cook Stir Fry Kit with Teriyaki Sauce 400g | Available in QLD and NSW
- Woolworths Cook Stir Fry Mix Rainbow Vegetables 400g | Available in QLD and NSW
Date sold: Between Thursday 20 March and Saturday 29 March 2025. Used by dates up to and including 9 April 2025.
Customers should not eat these products. Food products with microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed. Any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
The products were sold in Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT (including some products in South Australia and the Northern Territory).
Customers can return the product to any Coles, Woolworths or Aldi retail outlet. If you purchased through online shopping, contact the relevant customer support team.
Food Standards advised that the recall was a proactive measure. At the time the recall was advised, no illnesses had been reported.
New Business Alert: Cockatoo Comics
Lane Cove is about to welcome a brand new and different business to the village.
Cockatoo Comics is a specialty store that stocks comics, graphic novels, manga and zines. They have comics that will appeal to kids, marvel and DC fans, and adults who love a bit of nostalgia (for those who read Archie Comics when growing up).
The store will be located on the second floor of the Lane Cove Village complex, at 43-45 Burns Bay Road, just opposite Harris Farm and above Brewmance. It will be open to the public on 15th April 2025.
The store will feature the best selection of new, second hand, all ages, 18+, local comics, graphic novels and manga. Regular events, like book clubs and comic making workshops, will be held in the store – and the kids’ comic making and colouring table is always ready for a visit!
Want to know more? Head to their website or Instagram.
Their opening hours will be:
Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 11 am – 4 pm
Friday/Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
Monday: Closed
Lane Cove Central Building For Sale
Have you ever wanted to own a shopping centre in the heart of Lane Cove? Well, here is your chance; Lane Cove Central (aka the Harris Farm building) is for sale. Harris Farm is the anchor tenant – they do not own or manage the building or car park.
If you want to know all the details they are here.
Development Application for Longueville Rd/Birdwood Lane Property
It looks like exciting things are on the horizon for Spotted Orchid. Council has received a development application (28/2025) for 87 Longueville Road, which includes facade upgrades to the existing retail frontage, as well as construction of a new two-storey retail space fronting Birdwood Lane.
While the application is being processed now, Rita from Spotted Orchid says the construction phase is a little off yet.
Nature Photography Competition
Lane Cove Council have launched the 2025 Wild about Lane Cove Photo Challenge.
Do you have a favourite nature spot in Lane Cove? Snap a photo and share it on social media, and you could win one of two $100 Lane Cove gift cards!
Entrants must tag @lanecovecouncil, #WildAboutLaneCove25, and provide the photo’s location and short blurb (maximum 25 words) on what makes it a favourite nature spot. If your social media account is private, you can also enter via email by sending your entry via email.
See here for Terms and Conditions. Entries close 30th April 2025.
Lane Cove Junior Rugby Long Lunch – An Annual Tradition
Lane Cove Junior Rugby Club invites you to the 2025 Long Lunch, to be held at Dockside, Darling Harbour.
A club tradition, the lunch is a fundraiser for the U14 Tour to New Zealand in July. The tour is a wonderful experience for the team, helping to create memories that will last a lifetime. By fundraising the club can ensure each member of the team can participate.
Enjoy an afternoon with friends and colleagues with guest speakers, Sean Maloney and Iain Payten from the rugby community and plenty of great prizes to be won.
Cost: $1800 per table 10 / $180 per person
Includes 2 Course Lunch and Beverages
Limited seating is available, so we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Dress: Smart Casual
Please email any event enquiries to: [email protected]
Local and Independent News Association
Today, ITC is off to Melbourne for the Local and Independent News Association summit. I am proud to have been involved in its formation and as one of its first directors.
LINA is a not-for-profit industry association established in 2021, supporting a movement of 164 local and independent digital news services. LINA’s goals are to strengthen public interest journalism and provide capacity-building support, networking and services for newsrooms.
LINA Executive Director Claire Stuchbery said the Summit, which is co-hosted by local news service The Westsider, is also an opportunity for publishers to connect with one another and share insights.
“LINA has grown from representing 100 newsrooms this time last year, to now over 160. This change reflects promising growth in the industry despite a challenging year,” Claire said.
“Many of the factors which have constrained newsrooms’ capacity and financial sustainability are also ironically exactly the issues that we need quality news organisations to cover and scrutinise—including changes to the social media landscape, AI and big tech, rising misinformation and disinformation and political developments.
“It’s critical that we support both emerging and established newsrooms to continue producing public interest journalism during election periods, during emergency response and recovery and in amplifying the stories that matter to the communities our member publishers serve.”
Beyond fostering industry collaboration, LINA’s annual Summit sets the agenda for the industry association’s work moving forward, with a focus on practical support for newsrooms and building awareness of the contribution journalism makes in communities.
While I am away the ITC team will keep you up to date on all things Lane Cove and Mr ITC is looking after Mr Doggy ITC (who for those who have asked he is 13.5 years old but can’t walk up to Lane Cove plaza anymore due to arthritis).
Crime, Accidents and Incidents
Break-ins Reported to In the Cove
Late last week, we were advised of the following break ins:
Mindarie Street Apartment Block – a thief entered the apartment’s car parking area by breaking the handle on the fire door. Only a few things were stolen, but it was a good reminder not to leave anything in your car.
Longueville Road, Central Lane Cove: A man broke into a house through a window and stole items. Another person (possibly a teenager) was seen wiping the window to remove fingerprints.
Two Cars Stolen in Greenwich
A roving reporter has told us that a house was broken into in Greenwich on Monday night (31 March 2025), and wallet, cash, and car keys were stolen. The thieves then stole two cars, a Range Rover and a Subaru.
Last year, six break-and-enter or attempted break-and-enter incidents occurred in Longueville and Riverview within a short period of time.
In some cases, entry was gained via unlocked doors.
The locked houses during the attempted break-ins prevented the intruders from gaining entry.
Last year, the North Shore Police Area Command contacted ITC and asked us to stress again that locking your car and house will most likely prevent theft.
Read our article about what steps you can take to help prevent theft in your suburb.
The image below appeared on the North Shore Police Area Command Facebook page last year after the aforementioned break-ins.
Cover Photo
Week in Review Sponsor
This week, we are sponsored by Electrician to the Rescue.
You may not know this, but Lane Cove Local started the business and has evolved into a 24/7 business 375 days a year. Check out their website and make an online enquiry now for all those jobs you need doing around the place.
Help ITC to Keep Providing Free Local News in 2025
