Welcome to our week in review. ITC is gearing up to get out and about during September 2025 and enjoy the Lane Cove Festival (more below). To get us in the mood, we visited the Lane Cove Community Nursery, which is open this Saturday, 6th September 2025. You can take the tour of the community nursery and walk away with one of their native plants.
Our cover photo features a small section of the Community Nursery grounds. More information is available here, as they have numerous activities planned for the day to celebrate their 20th birthday.
Uncover The Unexpected At Lane Cove Festival
The 2025 Lane Cove Festival is here with a jam-packed program celebrating creativity, culture and connection running throughout September.
An initiative of Lane Cove Council, this year marks a landmark collaboration with the Sydney Fringe Festival, bringing bold cabaret, live music, performance, and family-friendly entertainment to the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Lane Cove) in a celebration that’s bigger, bolder and more diverse than ever.
Check out the details, including the festival program, in our article.
Check out what is happening at the Launch Party in The Canopy on 5th September 2025.
Ausgrid Planned Father’s Day Work Postponed
Residents and some businesses located on Alpha Rd, Central Ave, Dorritt St, Gamma Rd, Little St, Longueville Rd, and Rothwell Cres may have received an Ausgrid notification that high-voltage electrical work was to be undertaken between 11 am and 4 pm on Father’s Day, 7th September 2025.
Approximately 240 connections (as distinct from households) would have been impacted, and some local cafes and restaurants on Longueville Road may not have been able to provide brunch or lunch services. Our local eateries have been struggling lately; the rainy weather has significantly impacted them, and Father’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for them.
Local State Member Anthony Roberts told ITC that he raised the issue with Ausgrid management and asked them to reassess their scheduling.
ITC spoke to Ausgrid about the power outage and advised that, in our experience, not everyone received notification of the outage. The locals might be surprised when their electricity goes out and they can not cook their Father’s Day roast, and we emphasised the impact on local businesses. (A reader on Lane Cove Chat by ITC advised they received a text from Augrid, but their neighbours had not been notified.)
Late yesterday (2nd September 2025), we were advised as follows by an Ausgrid spokesperson:
“Ausgrid has postponed a planned outage on Longueville Road in Lane Cove and surrounding streets on Sunday, 7th September, and is currently assessing when to reschedule this essential work.
Ausgrid looks to minimise the disruption to residents and small businesses wherever possible while continuing critical ongoing work and maintenance.”
NSW Announces it Will Add Wine and Spirit Bottles to Return and Earn Scheme
A joint announcement from the NSW and South Australian governments was made this week regarding the expansion of the Return and Earn Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles, as well as larger drink containers.
ITC has been eagerly awaiting this announcement, as the Return and Earn Scheme expansion was put out to public consultation in October 2022. Neither the EPA nor Exchange for Change (who run the return and earn scheme) could provide an update – we last communicated with them in mid-August 2025.
The announcement about the scheme’s expansion noted that the container deposit scheme – which is now active in every state and territory – is the most successful recycling program in Australia’s history and is also incredibly popular, with more containers collected every year.
Each state’s recycling scheme has already seen billions of eligible bottles and cans recycled – tackling litter, reducing pressure on landfills and rewarding people for their recycling behaviours.
It has been calculated that by expanding the scheme across both states, nearly half a billion additional beverage containers would be returned each year, saved from landfill and sent for recycling.
Each container deposit program will grow to include:
- Wine and spirits glass bottles
- Cordials and juice concentrate containers
- Larger containers of up to three litres of beverages that are already in the scheme, like flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice.
Plain milk and health tonic containers will continue to be excluded from the schemes.
These new containers will not be accepted at refund points immediately, giving the wine and spirits industry time to adjust and allowing collection points and systems to ramp up for the additional new containers.
New South Wales and South Australia will enact these changes by late 2027.
Quick Action by A Lane Cove Resident Leads to An Arrest
The North Shore Police Area Command has advised that they have charged a 26-year-old Penrith man with several offences after he allegedly broke into a secure unit complex on Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove.
At 3:20 a.m. on 2nd August 2025, police will allege that the man gained entry to the Burns Bay Road complex’s secure parking lot using a lock-picking kit.
A short time later, a resident of the complex saw the man looking into storage cages and attempting to hide behind parked cars. The resident contacted police, who arrived shortly thereafter and spoke with the 26-year-old.
Police had cause to search the man and will allege that during the search they located a small amount of Methamphetamine (ice), three small knives, a lock picking kit, a crowbar, and a glove.
He was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with “Break and enter dwelling-house with intent (steal)”, “Possess prohibited drug”, “Possess housebreaking implements”, “Armed with intent to commit indictable offence” and “Custody of knife in public place”.
The man was refused bail and appeared before the Hornsby Local Court on 27th August 2025.
Further updates from the North Shore Police Area Command are at the bottom of this article.
Taxi Reform Aims To Stamp Out Dodgy Drivers
Recently, a Lane Cove Chat by ITC member posted about taxi fares to and from the Sydney airport and how she was worried about being overcharged. The post amassed almost 100 comments from other locals sharing their experiences of being overcharged and how to get the most economical trip.
A new initiative hopes to make experiences like Carole’s a thing of the past.
The NSW Taxi Council has announced a Four-Point Plan to clean up the industry, crack down on unscrupulous drivers, and restore passenger confidence. A significant part of that plan involves trips to and from the Sydney Airport.
Since 30 June 2025, a Taxi Concierge Program has been up and running across all three terminals at Sydney Airport. It has been billed as an extra layer of protection for passengers: concierge staff are now on-site to help with everything from fare concerns to reporting incidents.
According to NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim, the program is already providing valuable insight into driver behaviour, and it’s just the beginning.
“We want to use this data to go even further – bringing in tougher penalties and removing rogue drivers from the road altogether,” Nick said. He also stressed that most taxi drivers are doing the right thing and they want the rogue drivers gone too. “Driving a taxi is how thousands of people support their families,” Nick Abrahim said. “The small number doing the wrong thing are letting everyone down and it needs to stop.”
The NSW Taxi Council is calling for a 4-Point Plan to Tackle Taxi Misconduct:
- Bigger Fines: First-time fare cheats and those refusing passengers with assistance animals could face a $3,000 fine – triple the current penalty.
- Stricter Meter Rules: Improved regulation of meters for Rank and Hail fares (good news if you hail a cab off the street).
- Green List at the Airport: Drivers with multiple offences could be banned from operating at Sydney Airport. No warnings, just consequences.
- Central Driver Database: A shared ID system across the industry to stop banned drivers from jumping ship to another operator.
You can report fare-related complaints directly to the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s Hotline: 1800 500 410.
Lane Cove Council Sustainability Levy Achievements
Lane Cove Council has released their Sustainability Levy Achievements for the 2024/25 year.
In 2007 Lane Cove Council introduced a Sustainability Levy. The Levy was introduced with 79% community support to fast-track actions identified within the Lane Cove Council’s Sustainability Action Plan.
The 2024/2025 achievements include planting 24 native verges, 401kg of litter removed from the harbour with HarbourCare and the launch of the Seed Library.
Be Asthma Aware This Spring
Spring is here, and it’s off to a sunny start in Lane Cove.
For many people, the arrival of Spring also means the onset of hay fever, sinus infections, and the exacerbation of respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a wetter-than-average Spring, which will mean more grass pollens and other potential allergens in the air than is experienced in drier years. High winds can transport these tiny pollen particles long distances, such as from rural areas that are rich in vegetation, into densely populated urban area.s
In rare cases, these conditions can lead to Thunderstorm Asthma, which can affect both asthmatics and individuals with no prior history of asthma.
If you have a pre-existing respiratory illness, such as asthma, now is a good time to check in with your doctor to ensure you have a plan in place to manage your condition as the season changes.
Lane Cove Council’s Annual Customer Survey
Lane Cove Council is conducting its Annual Customer Survey over the next two weeks, with 400 local residents to be contacted by phone.
The survey, managed by the research company Micromex, aims to gather community feedback on council services, satisfaction levels, and future priorities.
Calls will come from 02 9127 2353 between 9:00 am and 8:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on Saturdays. So, if you receive a phone call from this number and they start asking you about Lane Cove, it is not a spam call.
Even if not contacted, residents are encouraged to share their feedback on council services
via email or by mail addressed to Lane Cove Council, PO Box 20, Lane Cove NSW 1595 (marked attention: The General Manager).
Lane Cove Council is encouraging residents to respond to the survey to help shape future service improvements.
Business Alerts
The Burns Bay Bookery Celebrates 10 Years in Lane Cove
Monday, 1st September 2025, marked a huge milestone for one much-loved local business – The Burns Bay Bookery.
The Bookery is celebrating 10 years of selling excellent books to the Lane Cove community.
Over the past decade, they’ve been more than just a bookshop. They’ve:
- Supported our schools by participating in fundraising events
- Backed local authors, proudly featuring their work on the shelves.
- Supported ITC year after year so we can continue to provide free news and information to the local community
- Created a warm community hub, filled with many laughs, many chats and of course – many books.
- Given us a laugh with their creative blackboard messages
It hasn’t always been easy – they’ve weathered floods, construction disruptions and a pandemic – but they’ve continued to serve Lane Cove with heart and resilience.
The Bookery is run by local people who love their books and love sharing their knowledge about books, and if you’re looking to support a local business that has supported Lane Cove for years, this is one of the best options around.
Congratulations again to The Bookery team – here’s to the next chapter!
Some of the Bookery’s customers queried the camel reference on Monday’s blackboard sign, and staff were quick to supply the explanation:
“…for reasons that now escape me, there was a fully grown, fully bedecked camel in the plaza. Straight out of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ – what a fuss it caused! I mean, it wasn’t alone, it hadn’t wandered up to the plaza for a coffee, but people came in droves to see it…we took advantage and the most popular blackboard sign was instantly created! The camel didn’t come to The Burns Bay Bookery…..silly camel!”
Of course, ITC was well aware of the camel.
Who would have thought you would see a camel in Lane Cove Plaza, but when Gelatissimo Lane Cove launched camel milk gelato, that is precisely what happened.
If you want to see some other weird and wacky things that have happened in Lane Cove over the years, read our article here.
New Business Alert: Kove
We spotted this shopfront signage on Birdwood Lane, under BFT Lane Cove, and next to Crust, and we’re excited!
Kove is set to become a wellness and recovery destination, offering infrared and traditional saunas, ice baths, red light therapy, and more.
They are set to open ‘mid spring’. More details on their website. You can also follow them at @kove_lanecove.
Welcome to Lane Cove, Kove!
Business Alert Awards – Bakers Delight
Congratulations to Joyce and her team at Lane Cove Bakers’ Delight for taking out a top award at the Australian Trades Small Business Award – Bakery Division. The Australian Small Business Champion Awards originated in 1999 to recognise the achievements of outstanding small businesses from all states and territories across Australia.
Baker’s Delight Lane Cove posted the following on their Instagram:
We did it! We’re officially WINNERS at the Australian Trades Small Business Awards! 💪🏆
A massive shoutout to our amazing team and incredible clients – this win is for you, too. Here’s to kicking goals and celebrating the journey together!
The Foot Group – Thanks from Women & Children First (who operate Delvena Women’s Refuge)
We noticed this thank-you post on Women & Children’s First’s Instagram Page, where they acknowledge the donation drive by The Foot Group Lane Cove and Brookvale. We previously reported on their 25th Birthday anniversary celebrations.
Jesuit Mission Bazaar is back at St Ignatius College for a day filled with stalls, entertainment, food, and fun for all ages. This major community event raises funds that support the Jesuit Mission’s community development work in over ten countries across Asia and Africa.
When: Saturday 13 September
Where: St Ignatius College, 1 Tambourine Bay Road, Riverview
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
How: Details here.
Lane Cove Netball Club In Six Grand Final Games
Lane Cove Netball Club will be fielding six teams in this weekend’s grand finals. A special mention to the A1S side, who’ve made history as the first LCNC side ever to reach the top division decider.
Congratulations to all at the club on this amazing achievement, and good luck on Friday and Saturday!
Two Lane Cove Old Ignatians’ Rugby Club Teams In Grand Finals
Good luck to the Colts and 2nd grade sides from Lane Cove Old Ignatians’ Rugby Club as they head into Grand Final matches this weekend.
The Colts secured their spot with a 31-17 win over Old Barker. The 2nd grade side took it down to the wire and an after-buzzer kick to come away with a 17-15 win over Blacktown.
Summer 7s Rugby Union Season Is Coming Soon
Didn’t get enough rugby union during the 2025 Winter season? Fear not, because registrations for the Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union Club’s Summer Sevens competition are now open.
The season starts October 24th and runs until the first week of December. There will be teams from Under 7s up to Over 35s. Check out the Club’s website for all the details.
Incidents/Accidents in Lane Cove
On 1st September, around 9:40 am, In the Cove was at our desk when we heard numerous emergency vehicles en route to an incident.
We subsequently discovered that a collision had occurred involving four cars near the Ampol Service Station, located at the corner of Penrose Street and Burns Bay Road. One car was on its roof. Emergency services worked quickly to remove the vehicle from the middle of the intersection.
Note: Penrose Street is sometimes referred to as River Road West, as it changes name,e and that section of Burns Bay Road is sometimes referred to as Centennial Avenue (as it changes its name)
North Shore Police Area Command August Update
Chatswood – 01/08/2025: Fail to Quit
Two males, a 62-year-old from Pymble and 65-year-old from North Turramurra have been issued infringement’s after allegedly failing to leave a licensed premises.
At 6:10 pm on Friday the 1st of August, the two males were at a licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Chatswood when they were allegedly asked to vacate the table they were sitting at as it was booked. Staff told the males they had arranged another table for them. Police will allege that the males allegedly refused to move and told staff they had ordered food and drinks that they intended on finishing prior to moving.
Staff re-approached the males 15 minutes later and again asked them to move tables and again the males refused. The owner of the premises then approached the males and then asked them to leave the premises. The males again refused, and police were called.
Police arrived a short time later and attempted to speak with the males, however police will allege that they were quarrelsome and argumentative. As a result, the males were arrested and escorted off the premises.
A short time later, police discontinued the arrest and issued the males with a move on direction, which they followed. Both males were also issued with Criminal Infringement Notices for the offences of “Excluded person fail to leave premises when required” ($550) and “Use offensive language” ($500)
Chatswood – 09/08/2025: Malicious Damage
A 40-year-old Eastwood man has been issued with a Court Attendance Notice after allegedly being caught by police graffitiing a wall in Chatswood CBD.
At 4:41 pm on Saturday the 9th of August, police were conducting a proactive patrol of Chatswood CBD. While walking along Post Office Lane, police allegedly saw the male using orange spray paint to graffiti the wall of a building. Police will allege in court that the man sprayed the words “maximum pork”.
The male was issued with a court attendance notice and will face Hornsby Local Court in October.
Neutral Bay – 09/08/2025: Possess Prohibited Drug
A 37-year-old Liverpool man has been charged by police with drug and driving offences.
At 12:48 am on Saturday the 9th of August, police were patrolling Military Road, Mosman when a black Mercedes came under police notice due to the vehicle’s alleged manner of driving.
Police stopped the vehicle a short time later on Military Road at Neutral Bay and spoke with the Liverpool man who police allege was driving the vehicle. Police subjected the man to a breath test which returned a negative result. The male was then subjected to a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive result for Methylamphetamine.
Checks on the male’s New South Wales license revealed he had previously held a rider’s licence which expired in July 2020. Police will allege the male had never held a driver’s license.
Police had cause to search the vehicle and allegedly located two glass vials containing 29 grams of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and a small green balloon containing 0.5mg of Suboxone.
The male was arrested and conveyed to North Sydney Police Station where he underwent a secondary oral fluid test (drug test) which allegedly returned a positive result to Methylamphetamine. The male was issued with a 24-hour driving prohibition notice and a sample was sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The male was charged with “Possess prohibited drug”, “Never licensed person drive vehicle on road” and “Negligent driving”. He is due to face Manly Local Court on the 9th of October.
Further charges are likely, pending the results from the laboratory.
Mosman – 12/08/2025: Located Hand Grenade
At 9.30 am on the 12th of August, a landscaper was working in the rear yard of a property on Bradleys Head Road, Mosman when he located what he believed to be a hand grenade in the garden. The landscaper left the item in situ and contacted police.
North Shore Police attended a short time later and established an exclusion zone and contacted the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Bomb Disposal Technicians.
Police obtained images of the item and forwarded them to ADF Technicians. ADF Technicians attended a short time later, examined the ordinance and determined it to be of World War 1 or World War 2 vintage. The ADF Bomb Disposal Technicians took possession of the hand grenade to dispose of.
Mosman – 12/08/2025: Affray
Two men, a 59-year-old and 55-year-old both from Mosman have been charged with several offences after an incident on a bus in Mosman.
Police allege that at 11:54 am on Tuesday the 12th of August, the two males boarded a bus at the intersection of Spit Road and Stanton Road, Mosman and failed to “tap on”.
The 55-year-old proceeded to the rear of the bus and sat down, while the 59-year-old stood near the front. The driver of the bus queried the 59-year-old as to why he didn’t tap on. In response to this, police will allege that the 59-year-old started swearing and yelling at the bus driver. As a result, the driver told the 59-year-old to get off the bus and opened the bus doors. The 59-year-old refused and the driver called police.
At the same time, another member of the public sitting at the rear of the bus called out to the 59-year-old and asked him to get off the bus as he was scaring people. Police will allege, immediately after saying this, the 55-year-old started assaulting the member of the public by slapping and punching him in the head. The member of the public stood and walked to the front of the bus, however, was followed by both Mosman men. As the 59-year-old exited the bus, he allegedly spat on the driver of the bus.
Once off the bus, the 59-year-old and 55-year-old started walking away, however the member of the public took hold of the 55-year-old to prevent him fleeing. This caused both men to fall to the ground. While on the ground, police will allege that the two Mosman men repeatedly kicked the member of the public. Eventually the member of the public returned to the bus and the bus doors were locked.
Police will then allege that the 55-year-old then threw a brick at the front door of the bus, causing the glass to shatter. He then allegedly threw a tin of paint through the smashed door of the bus, causing it to strike and damage the Perspex driver protection screen.
Both men then entered the yard of a nearby unit complex. They exited the yard soon after with the 59-year-old holding a shovel and the 55-year-old holding a spirit level. Police will allege that both men approached the front of the bus and began swinging their respective implements at the front of the bus, causing the other side of the front door to shatter. At this point, the bus driver started driving the bus along Spit Road to get away from both men.
Police arrived and arrested the 59-year-old and conveyed them to Chatswood Police Station, however the 55-year-old had left the scene. Police located the 55-year-old a short time later at a residence on Spit Road, Mosman. He was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station.
Both men were charged with “Travel or attempt travel without valid ticket”, “Assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s)”, “Affray”, “Armed with intent commit indictable offence”, “Destroy or damage property” and “Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm”.
Both men are bail refused and will face Manly Local Court on the 27th of August.
Neutral Bay – 16/08/2025: Assault Police
A 31-year-old Warriewood woman has been charged with “Assault Police Officer in the Execution of Duty” and “Behave in an Offensive Manner in Public Place”.
Around 7:00 pm on Saturday the 16th of August, police received reports that the 31-year-old Warriewood woman was running up and down Lower Bent Street and Bent Street, Neutral Bay in a heightened state and at one point allegedly grabbed hold of a food delivery driver.
Police arrived soon afterwards and approached the female. Police will allege in court that the woman was intoxicated. While speaking with the woman, police will allege that she struck the right arm of a male police officer. The female was arrested and during the arrest, allegedly spat at the same male officer.
The Warriewood woman was conveyed to Chatswood Police where she was charged. She was given conditional bail and will face Manly Local Court on the 1st of October.
Chatswood – 17/08/2025: Drug Detection
A 14-year-old Roseville girl will be issued a Youth Caution after allegedly being caught with Cannabis.
At 1:25 pm on Sunday the 17th of August, police were conducting proactive foot patrols of Chatswood CBD. Police attended Chatswood Oval where they saw the 14-year-old underneath a grandstand stairwell. When the girl saw police, she allegedly got up and walked away and police observed an implement used for smoking cannabis on the ground where she had been crouched.
Police stopped and spoke with the girl and during a subsequent search allegedly located 17.25g of cannabis in her bag. The girl was taken to Chatswood Police Station where her guardian was contacted and attended to collect her.
The Youth Caution will be delivered at a later date.
This Week’s Week in Review is Brought to You By Garçon Lane Cove
Looking for the perfect way to spoil Dad? 🍷🥩
Garçon in Lane Cove is all about French-inspired dining with a relaxed, modern twist — and this Father’s Day they’ve created something special for the whole family to enjoy.
✨ Father’s Day Feast at Garçon
On Sunday 7th September, treat Dad to a mouth-watering set menu filled with French favourites and seasonal dishes. Bookings are essential as spots are filling fast!
📍 Garçon Lane Cove – The Canopy
🔗 See the full Father’s Day Feast menu here
🌐 Visit Garçon’s website
Make this Father’s Day one to remember with great food, family, and a touch of French flair right here in Lane Cove.
Garçon has just announced that they have now launched Catering By Garçon
They posted the following on their Instagram account:
“We have just launched CATERING BY GARÇON 👅 & we are so excited to be able to fully cater your next event, work function or celebration 🎉 we have over 300 options to choose from to help with your office solution & corporate catering. Head to https://cateringbygarcon.com.au to find out.”
View this post on Instagram
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Thank You
Thank you to the In the Cove team, our advertisers, roving reporters and everyone who stops our founder, Jacky Barker, on the street and tells her how much In the Cove has helped them learn more about where they live.
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