Welcome to our Lane Cove News week in review. The Lane Cove Festival has officially ended. However, get ready for a big day on Sunday, 12th October 2025, with the Lane Cove Rotary Fair and Sustainability Lane. There will be street closures on Burns Bay Road, Rosethanl Avenue and Longueville Road – so make sure you don’t leave your car parked on these roads early Sunday morning (which has happened in the past and the cars might be towed away).
Man Dies In Lane Cove North After Being Struck By A Car
About 11.40 am on Sunday, 5 October 2025, emergency services were called to a unit block carpark on Helen Street, Lane Cove, following reports that a man had been hit by a car.
An 85-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene. The 87-year-old female driver was not injured and taken to the hospital for mandatory testing.
NSW Police media told ITC the two were known to each other and were not neighbours.
Officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced investigations. A report will be prepared for the Coroner. Reports are prepared for the Coroner when there is a sudden or unexpected fatality.
Tragic Start To Boating Season With Death Of Hunters Hill Man
A fatal boating accident near Hunters Hill on Sunday evening has seen renewed calls for people to exercise caution on our waters. A speedboat carrying two people crashed into a moored yacht off Wybalena Road, Hunters Hill, around 7:15 pm, causing the yacht to sink.
A 46-year-old man was later found at a nearby property and rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he passed away due to internal injuries. A 25-year-old woman was also treated for injuries but has been discharged from hospital. The vessel had reportedly travelled from Drummoyne before the crash.
The deceased man was identified on Tuesday as Mr Shane Florio of Hunters Hill.
The speedboat, valued at more than $500,000, is now with NSW Police Marine Area Command at Balmain who are investigating the cause of the collision.
NSW Police Acting Inspector Ryan Spong said noted there was extensive damage to the speedboat.
The incident follows a message from Marine Rescue NSW prior to the spring holidays, emphasising the importance of safety in and around boats. We published the following in our Week In Review 17th to 24th September 2025:
Acting Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews reminded boaters to wear lifejackets, check weather conditions, carry proper safety equipment, and Log On with Marine Rescue NSW via their free app or VHF Channel 16. Last spring, crews conducted 234 rescue missions, assisting 475 people.
Mechanical failures, flat batteries, and fuel issues accounted for nearly 60% of incidents last year—issues that could have been avoided with proper preparation. Marine Rescue’s radio and rescue crews will be on watch 24/7, ready to respond to emergencies on enclosed and offshore waters.
Lane Cove is lucky to have great access to the water, and boaters are encouraged to ensure their vessels are in top condition before heading out to enjoy the waterways safely this holiday season.
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour is opening its doors on 19th October 2025 for a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work its volunteers do. You must register to attend – click here.
Lane Cove Council’s New Rate Peg for 2026- 2027
Lane Cove Council (and other NSW councils) cannot set their rate increases. NSW Local Council rate increases are determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) using a rate peg methodology.
The rate peg is the maximum percentage amount by which a council may increase its general income for the year. For most councils, general income consists entirely of rates income. The rate peg does not apply to stormwater, waste collection, water and wastewater charges.
On 29 September 2025, IPART released its report for the 2026-27 financial year. IPART released its report on council rates, setting core council rate pegs for the 2026-27 financial year, which range from 2.7% to 5.7%. Separate rate pegs have been determined for each of NSW councils, with the rate for each council area included in the IPART information paper here.
For Lane Cove Council, the core rate peg is 3.0%, and the population factor adds 1.7%, giving a final rate peg of 4.7%.
The Lane Cove Council’s core rate peg for 2025/2026 was 3.8%, with an extra 0.1 per cent for population factors.
Lane Cove was one of 72 of the 128 NSW councils with growing populations where a population factor increased their final rate pegs.
Latest Plans For Chatswood Dive Site Revealed
Developers have unveiled plans to transform the stalled site into 1,500 new apartments, alongside retail and community spaces.
This project has been in limbo for years, sparking plenty of debate across the Lower North Shore. Locals will be watching closely to see how it reshapes Chatswood and impacts the wider community.
See our article for background, Willoughby City Council and Federal MP Tim James’ response.
The 2025 Rotary Fair + Sustainability Lane Is This Sunday
The Rotary Fair + Sustainability Lane is on this Sunday 12 October from 9 am to 4 pm. The event is run by Lane Cove Rotary and supported by Lane Cove Council.
All our favourite things will be happening; live music & entertainment, food stalls, Market stalls, Sustainability Lane and of course, the rides! s favourite days out.
The fair will take place across Longueville Road, Burns Bay Road & The Canopy.
Get all the details and plan your day here.
Birdwood Lane In The Running For Urban Design Honour
In 2024, Burns Bay Road came a close second to the Manly Corso in the Best Pedestrian Street poll run by the Urban Design Association NSW, with George St, Sydney, rounding out the top three. The top spot was hotly contested, with only 3 votes separating the top two streets!
This year, the poll is set to find NSW’s Favourite Civic Laneway, and Birdwood Lane right here in Lane Cove is in the running.
Voting in the poll is open and closes 7 pm Saturday, 1st November 2025.
Lane Cove Market Square No Longer a Big Gun in the Shopping Centre News Mini Guns Report
In 2020 In the Cove reported the following:
“According to an article in today’s Australian Financial Review, Neighbourhood and sub-regional malls anchored by supermarkets and discount department stores have demonstrated their renowned resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual Shopping Centre news survey, which ranks the retail sales performance of shopping centres with between 6000 and 20,000 square metres of lettable retail space, shows that over the 12 months to July, about half reported improved performance on the prior year.
Lane Cove Market Square is second on the list – it will be interesting to see how the figures change with the opening of The Canopy.”
The Shopping Centre News has released its 2025 Mini Buns report and Lane Cove Market Square is now 16th on the list.
mini guns shopping centre news
| Year | Position | Moving Annual Turnover per sq m |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2nd | $16 684 |
| 2020 | 2nd | $17 727 |
| 2024 | 16th | $15 479 |
| 2025 | 16th | $15 961 |
Lane Cove In The News: Tree Wars
Tree vandalism is on the rise across Australia, and as we know, Lane Cove is no exception. As more residents clash over views, solar panels, falling leaves and overhanging branches, the role of trees in our suburbs is under increasing scrutiny.
In a recent article in The Guardian Australia exploring these so-called “tree wars,” Lane Cove Mayor Merri Southwood shared how difficult it is for councils to pursue perpetrators of these crimes.
14-16 Marshall Ave, 5-9 Holdsworth Ave & 2-10 Berry Road, St Leonards
On October 6th 2025, the North Shore Times reported that an application had been lodged for the development of 255 apartments at Areas 13, 14 & 15 in St Leonards South. You can read the article here (note it is paywalled).
This is not a new planned development.
The site is subject to an existing development application, which was approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel (SNPP) on 4th March 2024. The SNPP approved the development application for the construction of three residential flat buildings (10 storeys) comprising a total of 185 dwellings and basement parking for 249 vehicles.
After new planning rules were introduced to allow for increased height and Floor Space Ratio by a maximum of 30% in exchange for up to 15% Gross Floor Allowance for affordable housing.
The Developer has lodged a modification application seeking to provide 15% affordable housing in accordance with the Affordable Housing Bonus Scheme in the Housing SEPP in exchange for increased height and floor space ratio.
The Developer is now seeking consent for three residential buildings, ranging from 13 to 14 storeys, and comprising 231 Apartments.
Ipart Rate Variation St Leonards South
The St Leonards South Precinct (SLSP) is undergoing a significant transformation, with numerous high-rise residential buildings being constructed and more development on the way.
This type of high-rise residential construction has not been seen before in the Lane Cove Local Government Area.
The SLSP covers a net developable area of approximately 6.2 hectares. It is projected that the population of this area will increase to approximately 3,629 residents residing in about 1839 apartments.
This population growth will increase demand for transport, stormwater, and open space infrastructure in the precinct.
This infrastructure must be funded and built by Lane Cove Council.
In 2021, to enable the council to fund this infrastructure, a Section 7.11 Developer Contributions Plan for the SLSP was developed.
In July 2025, the Lane Cove Council submitted its proposed 2025 Development Contributions Plan to IPART. You can read the proposal here.
On 26 August 2025, IPART reviewed and published its Draft Report, outlining its findings on the proposed plan submitted by Lane Cove Council. You can read the draft report here.
On 7 October 2025, IPART released their final report (which will go to the Planning Minister for approval). The report recommended a higher increase than proposed by Lane Cove Council.
| Type of Apartment | 2022 | Proposed 2025 - LCC | Proposed IPART |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1 Bedroom | $20 280 | $24 150 | $24 600 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $28 972 | $34 500 | $35 154.04 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $44 907 | $53 474 | $54 488.76 |
Further background information and a list of projects to be funded by the developer contributions can be found here.
HSC Study Nights In Lane Cove & St Leonards
Are you or do you know an HSC student who needs a quiet space to focus before exams? Tell them to come along to the exclusive HSC after-hours access to the Library.
Lane Cove Library: Friday 10 & 24 October 5 pm – 8 pm
St Leonards Library: Friday 17 October 5 pm – 8 pm
Weed Spraying Underway in Lane Cove Parks & Other Green Spaces
Lane Cove Council contractors have started targeted spraying to manage Bindii and Broadleaf weeds in over 30 local parks and open spaces.
Spraying is weather-dependent and may take up to three weeks to complete. Signs will be placed at key park entrances with updates on individual spraying times added closer to the time. Signs will stay up until it’s safe to return later the same day.
Lane Cove Council has noted on their website, “for your safety, please respect all on-site signage and refrain from entering treated areas until re-entry is permitted.”
Parks and open spaces to be sprayed include:
- Blackman Park – all areas excluding playing fields
- Bob Campbell Oval picnic areas
- Burns Bay Reserve
- Helen St Reserve
- Hughes Park
- Mindarie Park
Check here for a full list of sites.
Posties Injured At Least Five Times A Week On Australian Roads
New data from Australia Post reveals that delivery workers are being injured by third‑party road incidents at least five times every week. Over the 2024‑25 financial year, more than 280 such incidents were recorded, with injuries ranging from concussions and broken limbs to lacerations and serious trauma.
Common causes included drivers failing to give way, cutting corners, overtaking on the wrong side, distracted driving (such as using mobile phones), and drivers not looking out for pedestrians on footpaths.
Australia Post is responding by reducing its motorcycle fleet, expanding electric delivery vehicles (eDVs), and improving telematics systems that incorporate video and data monitoring.
They also issued reminders for safer road behaviour: keep phones out of reach while driving, slow down approaching roundabouts, check blind spots, allow enough stopping distance, and avoid driving when fatigued or under the influence.
Lane Cove loves our posties – so look out for them on our roads and footpaths.
Car Maintenance Workshop
Learn how to safely change a tyre, check your engine oil, and test your batteries. This hands-on workshop will teach you the practical skills necessary for basic car maintenance.
When: Saturday, 18 October 2025
Where: Council Chambers carpark
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
How: Details and registration link
Lane Cove Food & Wine By The River
Lane Cove’s Food and Wine by the River is coming soon.
The Food and Wine Festival has become one of Lane Cove’s favourite events. Over 20 of the Mudgee region’s wineries and local produce providers will head to Lane Cove for the event, along with other food stalls, live music, and activities for the kids.
When: Sunday 2 November 2025
Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Burns Bay Reserve
How: Details here
Greenwich Art Trail
The popular Greenwich Village Arts Trail is back next month. This is a great local event that enables visitors to meet artists in their studios, explore harbour views, enjoy cafés and picnic spots, and discover works in various mediums, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewellery, and more.
When: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd November 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days.
How: Details here
This Week in Review is proudly sponsored by Jack & Co
Jack & Co have been proud supporters of In the Cove for many years — helping us keep local news free and accessible for the Lane Cove community.
This month, they’re celebrating a huge milestone — turning 13! 🎉 To mark the occasion, Jack & Co are giving back with a $10,000 giveaway, including 10 x $1,000 gift cards up for grabs.
Pop into Jack & Co Northwood or Lane Cove, spend $13 or more in-store or on fuel, and you’re in the draw. Cracker Jack Club members even get double entries!
👉 Find out more about their birthday giveaway HERE
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