Welcome to our week in review.
Willoughby City Council Responds To Proposed Sale of Land Near RNSH
In April we brought you news that the NSW Government had launched an Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaign seeking parties interested in buying and developing a 3,301-square-metre parcel next to the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH). Developers will be required to deliver up to 448 new apartments, including 67 affordable housing apartments targeting key workers at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Read the details and background in our article. The EOI process closes 15 May 2025.
There have been concerns for many years about the sale of public land in the area, with many worrying that rezoning and land sales reduces the capacity for RNSH to expand their clinical services in the future.
Willoughby City Council this week released a statement outlining its concerns that the State Government plan does not adequately deliver public benefit, and in its current form is not the best use of public assets.
“At its meeting on 28 April 2025, Willoughby City Council passed a resolution calling for greater public benefit in the proposed redevelopment of Lot 4B Herbert St, St Leonards, and resolved to raise these concerns formally at the next Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) meeting.”
Lane Cove Council is a member of the NSROC and has supported Willoughby Council’s stance on this issue. You can read Willoughby Council’s full statement here.
New Safety Measures For E-Bike & E-Scooter Use
NSW Government Moves Ahead with E-Micromobility Reforms, Prioritising Shared Path Safety
The NSW Government is set to introduce new safety-focused rules for e-scooters and e-bikes, with a focus on shared paths as it responds to a recent Parliamentary inquiry into e-micromobility. The reforms aim to tackle key issues such as rider behaviour, clutter from shared e-bikes, and the risk of battery fires, while reinforcing that e-bikes must primarily be pedal-powered.
Under the proposed changes, e-scooters will be allowed on shared paths with a default speed limit of 10–20 km/h and permitted on low-speed roads (signposted 50 km/h or less) at up to 20 km/h. Lane Cove has numerous shared user paths around the LGA, including one along Rosenthal Avenue and one the length of Tambourine Bay Road.
Transport Minister John Graham said the changes mark “a clear path forward” to integrate e-micromobility into the state’s transport system. “A sensible set of rules will promote the benefits of these devices while protecting everyone using shared paths and roads,” he said.
With more than 1.35 million e-micromobility devices now in NSW homes, the government is also investing in infrastructure and education to support safe use. Shared path design and safety will be improved, alongside a national-leading approach to lithium-ion battery safety and new rider education campaigns.
The reforms aim to tackle key issues such as rider behaviour, clutter from shared e-bikes, and the risk of battery fires, while reinforcing that e-bikes must primarily be pedal-powered.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison emphasised the need for caution during the transition. “We know there’s confusion about current rules. These changes are about making e-micromobility safer and more sustainable for everyone.”
Lane Cove has numerous shared paths, which if this reforms goes ahead, will mean e-scooters will be allowed on those paths. To read more about Lane Cove Council’s view of e-scooters click here.
The full release, which includes other regulatory reforms in this area, is available here.
Low Flying Helicopters
We cover all the big news on ITC and late last week people were asking about low flying helicopters over Lane Cove.
It was an Ausgrid chopper. By flying over an Local Government area Ausgrid can view and assess their network from above using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning and high resolution photography to identify poles, equipment and vegetation that may present a future bushfire risk.
They will be flying over Sydney during May 2025. Although they were due to finish flying over the Lane Cove area on 11 May 2025.
Greenwich Hospital Upgrades Underway
Stage One of the Greenwich Hospital Upgrades are underway. Stage 1 works are currently focused on essential groundwork to upgrade utilities including power, water, and communications. The existing hospital remains fully operational throughout this phase, with plans in place to maintain pedestrian and vehicle access and minimise disruption for local residents, patients, and visitors. The Lane Cove Council has listed all the links you need to access their construction and traffic management plans here.
Pollution Incident Canberra Avenue, St Leonards South on Wednesday, May 2025
Lane Cove Council was notified of a pollution incident in Canberra Avenue SLS on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
Their initial investigation has established that a vehicle associated with a nearby building site has been damaged and an amount of diesel fuel has been discharged.
The builder commenced managing the spill and cleaning up immediately.
Council has served a Clean Up Notice under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act {POEO}.
The notice requires the builder to take action –
- Stop any further leaks immediately
- Take all reasonable action to protect the nearby waterways
- Clean and restore the waterways
Australia Post Updates Delivery Procedures
In July 2024, In the Cove published an article about how Lane Cove loved their posties but not so much the Australia Post Couriers. You can read the article here.
There is still frustration among Lane Cove locals who have noted that you can be home but you are not notified that a parcel has been delivered. If you have tracking on the article, you might get an email that the item has been delivered, but if you are not regularly checking emails your parcel can sit outside your door for a while.
Australia Post’s protocol for parcel deliveries requires the courier to knock three times and wait 30 seconds when delivering to households, no answer means the parcel will be delivered to the nearest Post Office.
Australia Post has announced a new procedure when you are not home for delivery. The only catch is that you must have downloaded the Australia Post app. Read all about it in our article here.
Lane Cove Council Releases Revised Community Strategic Plan
Earlier in the year we shared that Lane Cove Council were seeking feedback on their Liveable Lane Cove plan. You can refresh your memory here.
Community feedback has now been incorporated into the revised plan and Council is once again asking locals for their feedback; Does the revised plan reflect the future you want for Lane Cove? Is anything missing? Can it be further improved?
Submissions can be made via online survey, email or post.
In addition Council is also hosting drop-in consultations for residents who would like to ask questions or provide verbal feedback in a one-to-one environment.
To view the draft plan, submit feedback and find details on the drop in consultation, click here.
This consultation closes on Friday 6 June 2025.
How to Report a Pothole to Lane Cove Council
If you’ve spotted a pothole after all the recent wet weather, don’t just swerve—report it!
Lane Cove Council has made it easy to lodge a request online or via the app. Help keep our roads safe and smooth for everyone.
We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to make it simple.
JoyChew Closes
On Thursday last week, ITC was informed by the owners of JoyChew Chinese Restaurant that they will be permanently closed from Monday, 12 May. Mother’s Day was their last day of business. The owners thanked the Lane Cove community for their patronage.
Max Acai Opens
Max Acai has opened where Lamin8 Patisserie was in the laneway between the Lane Cove Plaza and The Canopy. They are open 10 am – 9 pm Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 9.30 pm Friday and Saturday and 9 am – 9 pm Sunday. Pop in and try their acai-based treats in a cone, cup, bowl or smoothie.
The Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed Stall
The Lane Cove Men’s Shed will have a stall in the Lane Cove Plaza this Saturday. Come along and see the brilliant items they make and snap some up.
What: Men’s Shed Stall
When: Saturday 17th May
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Lane Cove Plaza
Details here.
Hunters Hill Vintage Bespoke & Homewares Fair
Hunters Hill Vintage Bespoke & Homewares Fair is a market event for the community of Hunters Hill, surrounding suburbs and Sydney lovers of antiques, vintage, and homewares. There is also a high tea to book for Friday and lots of different stalls.
What: The Vintage Bespoke & Homewares Fair returns to.
When: Friday 23 May 2025 12 pm Midday – 4 pm / Saturday 24 May 2025 10 am – 4 pm / Sunday 25 May 2025 10 am – 4 pm.
Where: The Hunters Hill Town Hall
Details in our article.
Lane Cove FC Celebrates Female Football Week
Last week (2-11 May), Football Australia celebrated Female Football Week. Lane Cove FC joined in the celebrations by championing their girls and women’s teams and highlighting the club’s growing rate of female participation – one in three junior players in the 2025 season are women. In the coming weeks, players will also have access to some special skills sessions.
The club shared some great content on their socials – we encourage you to head over and check out some of the photos and videos, where you can hear directly from players about their love of football.
Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union First Home Game of Season
Sunday was Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union (LCJRU) club’s first home game. But it wasn’t an ordinary home game – it was Mother’s Day – so teams donned some bright pink socks in honour of their mums. Check out their socials for more action shots.
Kids Vs Mums At Auskick
The Lane Cove Cats AFL Club’s Auskick participants were out in force on Sunday. In a special Mother’s Day tradition, some of the mums also took to the field to play against their kids.
Ute Stolen From Longueville Property
On Tuesday 13 May, one of ITC’s followers posted on Lane Cove Chat by ITC the following:
“Please help. My son’s Ute was stolen from William Edward street last night (Monday 12th) – a grey Ford Ranger. It has a 6 mtr long white PVC pipe on it. Rego plate CE68YS. It has all his plumbing tools in it. We have reported it to the police however if anyone has seen it can they please either message me or let the police know.”
Local Community Urged to ‘Drive So Others Survive’ for National Road Safety Week
This week, residents across New South Wales are being called on to make a lifesaving commitment behind the wheel as part of National Road Safety Week (5–12 May 2025), an annual initiative aimed at reducing road trauma and honouring those affected by it.
Under the theme ‘Drive So Others Survive’, the campaign encourages motorists to reflect on their driving behaviour and pledge to take safer actions on the road — from slowing down to avoiding distractions and never driving under the influence.
Minister for Roads John Graham said the week is a time to “remember the people we’ve lost and take action to prevent future tragedies.”
As part of the week, the NSW Government also launched the Beyond the Crash website which profiles the real life stories behind road accident statistics.
Read more about:
Week in Review Sponsor – The Alcott
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Thank You
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