Welcome to our week in review.
ITC Journalist Finalist In Walkley Foundation Mid Year Media Prize
In The Cove journalist Jack Kelly, is a finalist for the Walkley Foundation’s 2025 Mid Year Media Prize for Public Service Journalism for his powerful investigation “Cabling Cowboys – Who Regulates the Activities of Data Cabling Companies?”
Jack’s piece shines a light on a serious regulatory gap that impacts not just our local community, but all local government areas across the country.
It’s a powerful reminder that local journalism isn’t just about covering missing dogs and helicopter sightings (although we love that too!) – it’s also about asking tough questions, pushing for accountability and driving real change.
Read his work here:
The Mid-Year Media Prizes recognise excellence in journalism through the John B. Fairfax Family Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards as well as a select group of prizes for specialist reporters. Winners in the John B. Fairfax Family Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards sub categories are eligible for overall Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Award later in the year.
The winners will be announced in Sydney on Thursday 19 June 2025.
We’re incredibly proud to see Lane Cove journalism recognised on a national stage.
Gai-mariagal Festival Amplifies Local First Nations Voices
The Gai-mariagal Festival was founded in 2001 and aims to raise awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region.
This year’s festival events include workshops, art exhibitions, performances, films, talks and more.
The Gai-mariagal Festival takes place around the following significant dates:
- Sorry Day 26th May;
- National Reconciliation Week 27 May- 3 June; and
- NAIDOC Week 6 – 13 July.
Read more about the festival in our article here.
Drop-In Consultations: Revised Community Strategic Plan
Earlier in the year we shared that Lane Cove Council were seeking feedback on their Liveable Lane Cove plan, which is the Community Strategic Plan for Lane Cove. 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?
There are two drop-in consultations for residents who would like to ask questions or provide verbal feedback in a one-to-one environment.
When: Thursday 29 May 2025
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm & 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: The Cove Room, Lane Cove Council Civic Centre, 48 Longueville Lane Cove 2066
How: No need to register, just drop in
Can’t attend the drop-in sessions but want to contribute? Written submissions can be made via post, email or online. Details here.
The consultation period closes on Friday 6 June 2025.
Market Square Car Park Ticketing Malfunction
On Lane Cove Chat by ITC readers were warning locals that the cameras were malfunctioning at Lane Cove Market Square and that they were not recognising number plates.
Lane Cove Council has put out the following statement:
“Monday 26 May 2025: Lane Cove Market Square car park ticketing camera malfunction
Lane Cove Council is aware of a technical malfunction at the Market Square Car Park, and contractors are on site to assess and resolve the issue. All fees charged from 6am Sunday 25 May until the issue is resolved will be cleared, and no fines will be issued. Council sincerely apologises for the inconvenience and any stress this may have caused.”
ITC also queried if Little Street Car Park was also impacted, as our readers had mentioned that their cars were still being shown as in the car park when they had left.
Lane Cove Council confirmed contractors are working on cameras at Little Street Car Park and all fees charged from 6am Sunday 25 May until the issue is resolved will be cleared, and no fines will be issued. As at 11.00 am on 28th May 2025 the boomgate at Little Street Car Park was still not working.
Here are some tips on how to avoid parking fines (when the cameras are working correctly).
Lane Cove Environment Week Is Next Week
Inspired by World Environment Day on June 5 2025, Lane Cove Council is doing a full week of activities to inspire you about our local environment. There are talks, a film screening and family activities in the plaza.
Read about what events are happening during the week.
Redevelopment of 300 Burns Bay Road Approved
The Housing Development Authority has declared a development at 300 Burns Bay Road (the old SAS building) to be a state significant development and has approved the construction of a 12 – 13 storey building with 15% affordable housing. There will be around 215 apartments. This process bypasses the Lane Cove Council.
As this project is declared a State Significant Development (SSD), the next stage is the submission of a formal development application. At that point, detailed documents (including plans, studies, and reports) will be lodged and made available for public exhibition as part of the standard SSD process.
Gatacre Avenue – Redevelopment of Old Country Comfort Site – Developer Seeking Modifications.
The Sydney North Planning panel approved a residential flat building development at 1 Gatacre and 1-5 Allison Avenues, Lane Cove under application DA35/2024 on 4 October 2024. DA35/2024 granted development consent for: Demolition of existing multi-storey motel building and dwelling house and construction of a Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6 residential flat Building with 43 apartments and two levels of basement parking.
The Developer has now lodged with Lane Cove Council proposed modifications subject to the provisions of Section 4.55(2) of the EP&A Act.
The modifications are listed in the table below. DA35/2024 is currently being advertised for public comment. Comments must be submitted by 6 June 2025.
New Business Alert – Dining & Desserts by Bhavna
Lane Cove local Bhavna Panchal has expanded her delicious talents beyond cakes and desserts — and it’s something truly special! Bhavna has launched Indian-Inspired Dining & Desserts by Bhavna through Airbnb Experiences. She creates gourmet and street-style Indian tasting menus using fresh, local ingredients.
Perfect for your next dinner party, celebration, or when you want to treat your guests to something unique and unforgettable.
Check it out, you can book via Airbnb Experiences.
Cafe Archie’s Modified Menu Until 8 June 2025
Cafe Archie’s in Lane Cove North is offering a reduced menu between 24 May and 8 June 2025 due to staff leave. You can still get your coffee, pastry and pie fix during this time, and the regular menu will be back on the King’s Birthday public holiday.
Children’s Voices for Reconciliation
Join local North Shore Schools at The Canopy to celebrate Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme is “Bridging Now to Next” reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
At a time when Australia faced uncertainty in its Reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together. Bridging Now to Next urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
This event is an opportunity for young people in the area to learn about and engage with Reconciliation through story, song, poetry, art music or dance.
The Children’s Voices for Reconciliation is an annual event which started in 1997. The event was co-founded by Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation and the Lane Cove Council.
When: Thursday, 29 May 2025
Time: 10.30 am – 12 pm
Where: The Canopy
Details here.
Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed Open House
Auskick Gala Day Hosted by Lane Cove Cats AFL Club
On Sunday the Lane Cove Cats AFL Club hosted an Auskick Gala Day at Blackman Park. It was an opportunity for some of the sports’ youngest participants to play games with other local clubs.
A great morning was had with the Willoughby Wildcats, Mosman Swans and St Ives Saints. There was also a delicious BBQ sponsored by Sunset Diner.
Double Try Scorer Gains Player of The Match Honours
Congratulations to Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union Club (LCJRUC) player George who was awarded Player of the Match on Sunday 18 May 20225.
Playing for Lane Cove-St Ives JV’s Under 11s on a very muddy field George managed two tries against the Narrabeen Tigers’ team.
In a great team effort the LCJRUC team came away with a 26-19 win.
Convincing Win By Lane Cove Netball Team
Lane Cove Netball Club’s LCNC10 team had a great game on Saturday 24 May under beautiful blue skies against Mercy Catholic College. The side came away with a convincing win with the final score 21-12. Congratulations to Evie (centre of photo with ball) who was awarded Player of the Match.
Alleged Parcel & Food Delivery Theft 288 Burns Bay Road
ITC have been notified of a number of incidents this week of an unknown person accessing 288 Burns Bay Rd and stealing parcels and food delivery. Police have been notified and security footage has been passed on. Residents are reminded to be vigilant with their building security.
North Shore Police Command May Report
Romance Scam – North Sydney – 06/03/2025
A North Sydney man has been the victim of a romance scam.
In early March 2025, the man started conversing with what he believed to be a female named
“Sherri” on a popular dating website. The pair initially conversed via the dating website, however after a few days, “Sherri” suggested the pair continue talking via email. The man provided his email address and the pair started talking more regularly. “Sherri” expressed strong feelings for the North Sydney man and told him that she lived in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
After some weeks of conversing via email, Sherri told the North Sydney male that she had lost access to her bank accounts and asked the North Sydney man to transfer her a sum of money for an imminent work trip. The North Sydney man obliged. On the 30th of April “Sherri” sent a screenshot of her bank account to the North Sydney man which showed that her bank account had been frozen for suspicious activities. “Sherri” then told the North Sydney man that she had contacted her bank and the only way to fix the issue was to visit the bank’s headquarters in New Zealand.
She then requested the North Sydney man send her a large sum of money to assist her with her flights, accommodation, and spending money whilst she stayed in New Zealand, which he did.
The North Sydney man’s bank became aware of the situation and advised the man he had been scammed.
Further information on Romance and Dating Scams can be found on the ScamWatch website. The website includes signs to look out for, red flags and how to protect yourself.
Road Rage/Assault – Artarmon – 10/05/2025
A 51-year-old- Killara man has been charged with Assault and Malicious Damage after an alleged road rage incident in Artarmon.
At 11:08 am on Saturday the 10th of May, police will allege the Killara man was driving a blue Mazda along Mowbray Road in Artarmon. The 51-year-old became angry after a car travelling in front of him, a red Saab, suddenly applied their brakes. As a result of this, the man allegedly manoeuvred his vehicle around and then in front of the Saab, completely blocking traffic.
The Killara man then exited his vehicle and approached the male driver of the red Saab. The pair became involved in a verbal argument with the driver of the Saab recording this man’s actions on his mobile phone.
Police will allege that the Killara man grabbed the Saab drivers’ mobile phone and threw it on the ground, damaging it. He then allegedly punched the Saab driver in the face through the open driver’s window.
Police attended a short time later and spoke with the Killara man. He was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for Common Assault and Malicious Damage and will appear before Hornsby Local Court on the 9 th of July 2025.
Malicious Damage – Crows Nest – 18/05/2025
Police are appealing for witnesses after several vehicles were damaged on Atchison Street, Crows Nest.
At 2:25pm on Sunday the 18 th of May, police were called to Atchison Street, Crows Nest after a member of the public noticed that fifteen vehicles had been damaged. Police attended a short time later and noticed that all vehicles had had their side mirrors either completely ripped off or damaged.
North Shore Police have commenced an investigation and are asking anyone with information, CCTV or dash-cam footage from Atchison Street between 3:00pm on Saturday 17th of May and 2:25 pm on Sunday 18 th of May to contact Chatswood Police Station on 9414 8499 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
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