Lane Cove News Week in Review 25th June to 2 July 2025

    Welcome to our week in review.

    Wild Weather Brings Tree Down Across Pacific Highway

    Around 9.30 pm on Tuesday 1 July 2025 a large tree came down across the Pacific Highway in Greenwich near the St Leonards TAFE/Innes Rd. The tree brought down power lines and caused the road to be blocked in all directions with traffic diversions in place.

    From around 2.30 am three lanes were reopened as the clean up and repairs continued. During the morning commute one southbound lane remained closed near the TAFE, with reports that the bus stop at the TAFE had been damaged and was also closed.

    This morning (Wednesday) Ausgrid crews were onsite fixing the downed wires and restoring power to around 100 customers. It was expected to take until around 4 pm.

    A reminder for these incidents:

    • If a life threatening emergency call 000.
    • If you see fallen powerlines during or after a storm never approach them – stay at least 8 metres or 2 car lengths away. Call 000 to alert emergency services if life threatening and Ausgrid on 13 13 88 to report the damage.
    • For emergency storm and flood assistance, call the NSW SES on 132 500.

    Self help sandbag point available for local residents at Blackman Park, Lane Cove West with sand, shovels and empty sandbags provided. Sandbags will need to be filled, best to have at least two people working together to fill sandbags no more than half to two thirds and please take only what you need.

    Instructions on how to fill and use sandbags to protect your home is available here:

    Thank you to all our emergency service members, SES volunteers and Ausgrid responders who have been working in these wild conditions.

    Tree down across Pacific Highway. Image credit NSW Incident Alerts

    Anthony Roberts’ Office Vandalised

    On 22 June 2025, the member for Lane Cove’s electoral office on Victoria Road Gladesville was damaged after anti-Israel graffiti was scratched onto the front window.

    Anthony Roberts’ office sent ITC the CCTV of the incident.  At around 5.46 pm, a man appeared to spit on the front window and then began scratching the glass. Read more in our article.

    A person of interest in the malicious damage incident at Local MP’s office

    Sydney North Planning Panel To Determine LCM Church Site Redevelopment

    The Sydney North Planning Panel (SNPP) will meet to determine the development application (DA) for the redevelopment of the LCM church site and properties on Finlayson Street.

    The application (PPSSNH‐582 – Lane Cove – DA152/2024) covers 2‐10 Finlayson Street, Lane Cove and would include the “demolition of existing structures and construction of an 8‐storey mixed‐use development including a place of public worship, community facility, 48 apartments and basement parking for 150 vehicles.”

    The SNPP meeting will be held virtually and interested parties are invited to listen and, if they wish, to address the meeting. You must register to attend the online meeting, and indicate when registering if you wish to address the panel.

    When: Wednesday, 9 July 2025
    Time: 12:00pm
    Where: Online. Register here by 4pm Monday, 7 July 2025
    More information:Meeting documents here

    Read our article from March 2025 with background on the development. 

    The NSPP aims to publish decisions on their website within 7 days of meetings.

    Minister for Planning Approves Development at 166 Epping Road as State Significant Development

    An application for shop top housing and affordable housing at 166 Epping Road has been approved.  Currently, a three-storey office building is located on the site.

    The SSD pathway is designed to speed up the planning process for major projects, with the Department of Planning aiming to complete assessments within an average of 275 days from lodgement. The department claims this is significantly faster than many local council processes, helping projects reach approval and commencement more quickly.

    More Access to Medicare Funded MRI Machines

    Jerome Laxale Member for Bennelong has announced more locals will have access to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans funded through Medicare from 1 July.

    Currently, only some MRI machines are eligible or partially eligible to provide Medicare-funded MRI services.

    The Albanese Government will allow scans from all MRI machines at medical practices with a current Medicare MRI licence to be billed to Medicare.

    From 1 July, the MRI machines at three Bennelong locations will be able to provide all the scans funded through Medicare for patients, saving them money on the cost of their scans.

    The locations are:

    • PRP Diagnostic Imaging – Eastwood
    • Macquarie Medical Imaging – Macquarie Park
    • I-MED Radiology Network – Chatswood

    This reform also means doctors will have more imaging options for their patients, leading to shorter waiting times for scans.

    The government committed $69.8 million in the 2024–25 Budget to remove barriers to accessing MRI services funded through Medicare.

    As of 1 June 2025, 258 practices hold equipment-based MRI licences. The reform will mean all their MRI machines can provide Medicare-funded services for any of the 120 scan types listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This will expand access for at least 231 MRI machines.

    MRI is a way to examine organs, tissues and bones without surgery. It produces detailed images to help doctors diagnose health conditions.

    Phase 2 of the reform will begin on 1 July 2027, removing all licensing requirements for MRI machines at practices that also offer ultrasound, CT and X-ray services.

    Jerome Laxale said:

    “The Albanese Government wants to make MRI scans accessible for whoever needs them.

    “These changes will save locals money on the cost of their scans and give patients more choice on where to get them.

    “Making MRIs more affordable is another way the Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare.”

    Share Your Story With The Lane Cove Literary Awards 

    Do you love to write? Submissions for The Lane Cove Literary Awards are open, and you only have until Wednesday, 20 August 2025 to submit your story.

    This national competition celebrates outstanding unpublished work from Australian writers aged 16+.

    Prizes are awarded in the following categories:

    • Short Story Prize             $2,000
    • Poetry Prize                    $1,500
    • Travel Story Prize            $1,500

    The Lane Cove Literary Awards are organised by Lane Cove Council. The inaugural awards were in 2014 and are now held biennially. 

    More information and how to submit here. 

    New Business Alert: Anglicare Op Shop

    An Anglicare Op Shop will open on Longueville Rd next to the NAB. We bumped into Jeff Drayton, Head of Retail Anglicare Sydney as he was heading into the space to do some set up admin. He said Anglicare had been looking for a suitable site in the area for a while.

    Anglicare Op Shop Lane Cove hope to open their doors in about two weeks.

    Shorties Changes Ownership

    After 8 years Phil from Shorties has sold the business and is moving on to a new adventure. As of Sunday 29 June 2025, the business is in new hands. Thanks to Phil and the team for creating such a great space in Lane Cove. We can’t wait to see what the next iteration of the business is.

    Subway Extends Trading Hours

    Lane Cove Subway is now open late Wednesday – Saturdays open until 3am!

    Sunday to Tuesday till 11:00pm

    School Holiday Fun Rolls into The Canopy!

    From Friday 4th July to Sunday 13th July, enjoy a range of activities and dining specials at The Canopy in Lane Cove

    See here for all the details to plan your fun.

    Chat With A Councillor

    Do you have questions, comments or feedback for Lane Cove Council? Three councillors will be in the plaza this Saturday for informal chats with constituents.

    What: Chat with a Councillor
    Who: Clr Rochelle Flood, Clr Bridget Kennedy (Deputy Mayor) and Clr David Roenfeldt
    Where: Lane Cove Plaza
    When: Saturday 5 July
    Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
    How: Stop by for a chat

    image credit Lane Cove Council

    NAIDOC Week Mini Film Festival

    Lane Cove Council has partnered with Awesome Black to bring NAIDOC week celebrations to Lane Cove Cinema Club. 

    Awesome Black has also created the Awesome Black Foundation which is dedicated to empowering First Nations creators by providing resources, opportunities, and support to thrive in the creative industries. They aim to build a sustainable platform that amplifies First Nations voices, supports both emerging and established creatives, and enriches communities through culturally significant projects.

    What: 3 Powerful Screenings showcasing First Nations stories:

    • Thurs 17th July – A night of short films by Indigenous filmmakers, catered to a youth audience.
    • Fri 18th July – Satellite Boy (All Ages)
    • Sat 19th July – Sweet Country (MA15+)When: July 17th – 19th
      Time: Doors open 5:00 pm
      Where: Pottery Lane Performance Space
      How: Bookings essential
    Images courtesy Lane Cove Council

    Lane Cove Tigers At Parliament House For NRLW Celebration

    Last Wednesday evening a handful of Lane Cove Tigers were lucky enough to join North Sydney Bears club members to attend an NRLW season launch celebration at NSW Parliament House. Elaina, Georgina, and Maddie, proudly represented the Tigers as they met with parliamentarians including Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts. 

    They had the opportunity to meet and engage with NRLW players, including Brydie Parker of the Sydney Roosters and Bulldogs co-captains Tayla Preston and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

    Top: Lane Cove TIgers with Members for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts Bottom: Players meet NRLW Bulldogs co-captains Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (L) and Tayla Preston (R) Image credit Lane Cove Tigers Junior Rugby League Club

    Junior Rugby Players All Smiles After First Win of The Season

    One of Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union Club’s sides were especially happy on Sunday after recording their first win of the season. It was a double celebration for young Will who also scored his first try ever in rugby. Well done to Micah, Will and Henry for helping the Saints get a win!

    Image credit Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union Club

    Crime, Accidents and Incidents

    This week a number of incidents were reported to ITC directly or shared on Lane Cove Chat by ITC. Whilst some of these incidents involved forced entry, it is still a good reminder to be vigilant with locking doors and windows and securing vehicles.

    Report incidents AND suspicious activity to Police. It can also give Police a clearer picture of the number of similar incidents occurring across a geographic location.

    Interrupted Robbery Lane Cove North 26 June
    Around midday on Thursday 26th June a resident of Fraser St in Lane Cove North came home to find a person rummaging through their house. Once disturbed the offended quickly left. Police were called and came quickly to investigate. Forensics attended. The offender had forced a window open with a crowbar. 

    Vehicle Break Ins Gamma & Alpha Road 26 June
    Between 12 and 12.30 am on Thursday 26th June 3 utes were broken into on Gamma and Alpha Rds. Two of the vehicles were at one address. In all incidents thieves broke into the vehicles and stole all the tools within. 

    North Shore Police Area Command June Update

    The following incidents were shared by the North Shore Police Area Command in their monthly media update. 

    Crows Nest: Traffic/Drug Detection – 03/06/2025
    A 25-year-old Crows Nest man will face Manly Local Court in July.

    At 9:30 pm on Tuesday the 3rd of June, police were conducting random testing on Brook Street, Crows Nest. Police will allege that the Crows Nest man was driving a Silver Hyundai Getz and was directed to stop by police.

    The male was asked to produce a driver’s licence and told police that he did not have a NSW Drivers Licence and provided police with an International Drivers Licence. The male was subjected to a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive result for Cannabis.

    Police spoke with the man about the result and had cause to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, police will allege that they located an amount of Cannabis inside a bag within the car as well as a NSW Drivers Licence in the name of the Crows Nest man. Police conducted checks on the NSW Drivers Licence which allegedly revealed that the man’s licence had been suspended until the 6th of July 2025 due to demerit points.

    The man was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station for the purposes of a secondary oral fluid (drug) test. At the station, the secondary test allegedly returned a second positive result for Cannabis.

    The Crows Nest man was charged with “Possess prohibited drug”, “Drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood”, “Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester” and “Learner driver not display “L” plates as prescribed”.

    Chatswood: Break and Enter – 04/06/2025
    Police arrested three young girls, aged 12, 13 and 15 after they allegedly broke into an ice cream shop in Chatswood CBD.

    Police will allege that at 1:20am on Wednesday the 4th of June, a security guard employed by a separate business, observed the three girls gain access to the ice cream shop by pushing the security doors and manoeuvring the lock mechanism. Once inside the shop, police allege that the three girls stole a Point-of-Sale System containing cash and ice cream.

    Police attended and located the three young girls nearby in possession of ice cream, and the Point-of-Sale System on the ground. Police arrested the girls and conveyed them to Chatswood Police Station where their next of kins were contacted.

    The three girls participated in interviews with police, and it is anticipated that they will all be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act (2007).

    Lane Cove: Mid-Range Drink Driving – 06/06/2025
    A 28-year-old South Albury woman has been charged with Mid-Range Drink Driving.

    At 12:00 am on the 6th of June, police were conducting stationary roadside testing on Epping Road, Lane Cove West. Police will allege the South Albury woman was driving at White Kia and was directed to stop by police.

    The woman underwent a roadside breath test which returned a positive result. She was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station for the purposes of a breath analysis. Back at the police station, police will allege that after undertaking a breath analysis, the 28-year-old returned a mid range reading of 0.107 grams of alcohol per 210 litres of breath.

    Her NSW Drivers Licence was suspended, and she is due to face Hornsby Local Court on the 17th of July.

    Mosman: Pursuit – 07/06/2025
    Five offenders have been charged after a break and enter in the Northern Beaches and subsequent police pursuit through the North Shore Police Area Command (PAC).

    At 3:25 am on Saturday 7th of June, North Shore PAC Police were made aware of a break and enter that had just occurred in Manly Vale, in which a White Audi Q3 had allegedly been stolen. A short time later, North Shore Police spotted the stolen vehicle traveling southbound on the Spit Bridge in Mosman. North Shore Police attempted to stop the vehicle, however the vehicle allegedly continued travelling at excessive speed and a police pursuit was initiated.

    A short time later, police terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns. However, North Shore Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device (spike strip) on Military Road, Neutral Bay. The vehicle was abandoned by the offenders on Walker Street, North Sydney and with the assistance of the Dog Unit, five offenders were arrested, a 15-year-old Fairfield West boy, a 16-year-old Liverpool boy, a 16-year-old Hinchinbrook boy, an 18-year-old Lurnea man and an 18-year-old Warwick Farm man.

    They were all conveyed to Chatswood Police Station and charged with “Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal” and “Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner”.

    Milsons Point: Breach Bail – 08/06/2025
    Police have charged a 14-year-old Chatswood girl with breach of bail.

    At 2:17 am on Sunday the 8th of June, police were called to Alfred Street South, Milsons Point in relation to a brawl involving several young persons.

    Upon police arrival, numerous youths ran from the location. Police pursued a group on foot and ended up stopping the 14-year-old Chatswood girl. Checks revealed that she was currently on bail in relation to a robbery offence, which included a curfew condition that she be at her Chatswood address between the hours of 8:00 pm – 6:00 am.

    The girl was placed under arrest and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station where she was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice and released into the care of her Next of Kin.

    Numerous Break and Enters – 13/06/2025
    A 22-year-old Narrandera man has been charged with numerous offences and bail refused.

    At 1:30 am on Monday the 9th of June, police will allege that the 22-year-old male gained entry to a residence on Rhodes Avenue, Naremburn and stole two bags, a laptop and five bank cards. Police will allege that the male then made his way to another residence on McBurney Street, Naremburn where he entered the kitchen and stole a men’s wallet containing $450 cash and other miscellaneous items.

    Police will allege that the male then drove a previously stolen Subaru WRX to a property in Marlborough Road, North Willoughby where he entered a vehicle that was parked in the driveway of a residence. While in the vehicle, the Narrandera man allegedly stole three pairs of sunglasses totalling almost $1000.

    The male then drove from Marlborough Road in the stolen WRX to Byora Crescent, Northbridge. At 2:45am police will allege in court that the male gained access to a property on Byora Crescent via a closed but unlocked back door. While in the house the male allegedly stole the keys to a Grey Toyota Corolla which he then entered and drove approximately 200 meters down the road. The male allegedly stole several items from the vehicle and then walked from the location back to the WRX.

    Police will allege that the male re-entered the stolen WRX and drove to Woonona Road, Northbridge where he entered a property via a closed but unlocked back door and then a grey Toyota Rav-4 that was also unlocked. Police will allege that the male stole a multi-tool, various medications and car keys to Grey Audi from the residence and the Rav-4.

    At 1:45 pm on Thursday the 12th of June, police from the North Shore Proactive Crime Team executed a search warrant at an address in Eastlakes. Inside the address police located the Narrandera man and he was arrested and conveyed to Mascot Police Station.

    At Mascot Police Station he was charged with numerous offences including four sequences of “Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – people there”, two counts of “Enter vehicle without consent of owner”, “Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner”, “Larceny” and “Trespass”.

    The male was refused bail until the 8th of July 2025 where he will face Waverley Local Court.

    This is a timely reminder to North Shore residents of the importance of locking all doors and windows to houses and cars when going to bed at night.

    Artarmon: Assault Police – 15/06/2025
    A 40-year-old Artarmon man has been refused bail until early July after allegedly assaulting police in Artarmon.

    At 12:48 pm on Sunday the 15th of June, police were called to a unit complex on Barton Road, Artarmon in relation to a 40-year-old allegedly acting erratically, throwing objects around and using a pole. Police arrived a short time later and observed the male kicking a charity bin.

    Police had a conversation with the male and placed him under arrest. While attempting to take hold of the male and handcuff him, the male allegedly resisted police and bit a male Acting Sergeant on the right arm causing the skin to break and immediate bruising.

    Police gained control of the male and conveyed him to Chatswood Police Station. At the station, the male was charged with “Assault police officer in the execution of duty cause actual bodily harm” and “Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty”.

    The male was refused bail and will face Hornsby Local Court on the 9th of July 2025.

    Chatswood: Drug Detection – 22/06/2025
    A 45-year-old Redfern man has been issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice after police allegedly located an illicit drug on him.

    At 8:20 am on the 22nd of June, police were conducting an unrelated routine traffic stop on the Pacific Highway, Chatswood. While speaking with the driver of the vehicle, police allegedly observed the Redfern man, and another unknown man acting suspiciously about 50 meters away on the footpath.

    Police approached the pair and as they did, the unknown male allegedly fled on a bicycle. Police had a conversation with the 45-year-old and had cause to search him.

    During the search, police will allege they located a small amount of methamphetamine (ice) in a small plastic resealable bag in the male’s trousers pocket.

    The Redfern man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for “Possess Prohibited Drug” and is due to face Hornsby Local Court on the 30th of July.

    Week in Review Sponsor –  Lane Cove Compounding and Wellness Chemist

    Address: 152 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove NSW 2066
    Phone:  9427 1196
    Website: https://www.lanecovewellnesschemist.com.au


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    The ITC Team from left to right Liz McPherson, Jacky Barker, Renee Maxwell and Yumi Wong Pan

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