Welcome to our Lane Cove News Week In Review. It has been a wet and windy week with rain bucketing down on Monday, 3 November 2025 (see our video below). The wet weather did impact some of the events held over the weekend.
Greenwich Village Arts Trail Showcases Local Creativity
The Greenwich Village Arts Trail took place over the weekend, with both days offering visitors the opportunity to engage with 39 local artists and their work.
The event showcased painters, sculptors, jewellers and more. Visitors could chat with artists about their creative processes, peek into open studios and purchase available pieces.
New exhibitors for 2025 included an animation artist turned painter, a pop art-inspired jewellery maker & a woodworker who’s discovered his talent.
Lyn Burns, Bridget Kennedy, Lynn Barling, David Brayshaw, Peter Stavely, Aura Parker and Amanda Harrison
It is not too late to purchase art from local artists. Click on our article here and view the online catalogue with contact details.
In the Cove, visited some of the artists and spoke to them about why they decided to become involved in The Greenwich Village Arts Trail (watch our video below).
If you missed the Greenwich Village Arts Trail, put the first weekend in November next year in your diary.
Food & Wine By The River A Perfect Pairing
The Food and Wine Festival has become one of Lane Cove’s favourite events. On Sunday, 2 November, over 20 of the Mudgee region’s wineries and local produce providers came to Lane Cove. The day started slowly, with fine rain delaying some visitors to the event. However, as the weather improved, the crowds grew.
A new event was the Dog Show and Parade, with categories including Best Dressed, Waggiest Tail, Most Like Their Owner, and Best Trick.
There was live music, food vans, games, and information from Lane Cove Council on dog registration and composting.
This event is part of the Lane Cove Festival by the River, which runs until 16 November 2025.
Our cover photo was taken at the 2025 Food and Wine Festival and features, from L to R, locals Tim Brighton and a friend, and Kurt and Sophie Ludke with their family.
Halloween in Lane Cove
Two Girls Arrested After Allegedly Shoplifting at Lane Cove Liquor Store and Live-Streaming the Incident
Two teenage girls have been arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident on Saturday, 25th October at a Lane Cove liquor store, which they reportedly live-streamed on social media.
Police say the pair were detained soon after the incident, and footage had already circulated online.
Lane Cove Council Announces Galuwa Operator Contract
Lane Cove Council has announced the appointment of Sydney Sports Management Group (SSMG) as the operator of Galuwa Recreation Centre, located at 180 River Road, Lane Cove and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
Lane Cove Council conducted a tender process to evaluate the operator. A separate tender process was conducted for the Centre’s Food and Beverage Operations. The successful operator has not yet been announced.
SSMG currently manages several sporting facilities, including Tennis World North Ryde, Chatswood Tennis Club and the Heffron Park Centre Tennis.
SSMG previously operated the River Road Tennis Centre, which was demolished as part of the Galuwa Recreation Centre project.
The centre will feature indoor and outdoor multi-sport courts, multipurpose rooms, a bistro, and golf facilities—the name “Galuwa”, meaning “to climb” in the Sydney Aboriginal language.
Lane Cove Council has noted on its website that:
“Council’s decision to award the contract to SSMG was based on a rigorous evaluation process, and the operator’s strong track record in facility management, comprehensive service delivery model, and their commitment to community engagement. The evaluation panel, overseen by an independent probity advisor, concluded that SSMG’s proposal best met the Council’s objectives for the centre’s operation.”
Lane Cove Mayor, Councillor Merri Southwood, stated: “Galuwa Recreation Centre represents a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of our community. We are confident that SSMG’s expertise and commitment will ensure the centre becomes a hub for activity, connection, and growth.”
SSMG CEO Richard Price echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are honoured to be entrusted with the management of Galuwa Recreation Centre. This project is a testament to our dedication to delivering exceptional service and inclusive programming for the communities we serve.”
NSW Health Raids in St Leonards
Two tobacco retailers in St Leonards have been shut down for 90 days after NSW Health inspectors seized thousands of illicit cigarettes and illegal vapes under new laws that came into effect this week.
We have video footage of the raids — see the moment inspectors moved in and what they found inside.
Read the full story and watch the footage here.
Key details:
- Nearly $400,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vaping products were seized.
- New laws allow NSW Health to close non-compliant retailers for up to 90 days.
- Offenders face penalties of up to 7 years in jail or fines of up to $1.54 million.
- Authorities say this is part of a statewide crackdown to protect public health and curb the illegal tobacco trade.
Sydney Airport Seeking Comments on Its Masterplan
On Saturday, 2nd November 2025, representatives from Sydney Airport were at Lane Cove Plaza to discuss the draft Master Plan 2045Plane Plan sets out its long-term vision for growth and sustainability. Sydney Airport has forecast that it will process approx. 72 million passengers a year by 2045, contributing $70 billion annually to the economy and supporting over 105,000 direct jobs (and 560,000 total jobs across related industries).
A significant feature is the largest terminal expansion since the Sydney Olympics, linking the T2 and T3 domestic terminals into a single integrated precinct with up to 12 new international gates and enhanced connections for domestic, regional, and international flights. The plan also includes a five-year Airport Environment Strategy focused on cutting emissions, building climate resilience, and operating more sustainably.
Public consultation is open until 12 December 2025 at masterplan2045.com.au.
Meet Alina: Lane Cove’s Young Swimming Star Making Waves Nationally
Remember the name — Alina Bajusz. Alina is an incredible 10-year-old Lane Cove Public School student who has taken the national swimming stage by storm.
Representing NSW at the School Sport Nationals in Ballarat, Alina brought home multiple medals, including National Champion for the 50 m Butterfly.
Alina has been working hard over the past few years, demonstrating determination and commitment beyond her years. Read all about her outstanding achievements to date.
Urgent Removal of Trees
ITC Say Farewell To Buddy – Mr Doggy ITC
Last Thursday, Jacky (the founder of ITC) and her family said goodbye to their beautiful 14-year-old Golden Retriever, Buddy — known to many of you as Mr Doggy ITC.
From early morning walks through Lane Cove to featuring in countless In the Cove photos and posts, Buddy has been by Jacky’s side through every chapter of ITC’s journey. In recent years, as his mobility slowed, his appearances became fewer — but his presence remained deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.
He was more than a pet — he was part of the fabric of our local story.
Jacky has said, “We could not walk through Lane Cove without someone asking to pat him, and he would just stand there and be so gentle. Thank you to everyone who always said they loved seeing him around Lane Cove.”
Rest easy, Mr Doggy ITC. You’ll always be part of the In the Cove family.
Donate To St Vincent De Paul’s Christmas Hampers
St Vincent De Paul Lane Cove is once again collecting items for Christmas Hampers. There are donation trolleys at Woolworths Lane Cove, near the escalators and travelators.
Lane Cove In The News
According to a recent article by The Senior, a growing number of Baby Boomers are proving that sustainability starts at home. The article features longtime Lane Cove local Rob Ashes and the steps he and his wife have taken to make their home more energy-efficient.
Read the full story on The Senior.
New Business Alert: Galaxy Event Centre
There is a new venue space right on the border of Lane Cove.
Galaxy Event Centre is located at 401 Pacific Highway in Artarmon. It’s a modern, flexible space perfect for workshops, birthdays, dance nights and community events.
It offers users:
- BYO décor and catering
- AV on site, flexible layout
- Free street parking after 6 pm weekdays, after 12 pm Saturdays, all day Sundays
A great new option just minutes from Lane Cove. Learn more here.
Business Alert: Mortgage Choice’s Leanne Johnstone Recognised
Local broker Leanne Johnstone from Mortgage Choice Lane Cove has been recognised as one of Mortgage Choice’s Top Performers for 2025.
Leanne’s award celebrates her exceptional results and dedication to helping clients across Australia achieve their property goals. Now in her 24th year as a franchisee, she continues to be known for her care, market knowledge and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for every client.
Her approachable style and proven track record have earned her a 5-star Google rating, with clients often highlighting her professionalism, communication and ability to make the process simple and stress-free.
While her office is based in Lane Cove Village, Leanne offers Zoom appointments nationwide, making her services easily accessible to anyone in Australia who is ready to start their home loan journey.
Mortgage Choice Lane Cove is located opposite Harris Farm in the village and offers both in-person and Zoom appointments.
Business Alert: Tax App Wins IFPA Award for Accounting Innovation Excellence
Congratulations to Alesha Masaud and Fahad Gul, owners of Lane Cove Business Tax App. Who won the
Accounting Innovation Excellence Award of the Year for Tax App at the Australian Financial Industry Awards 2025 by the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia.
Alesha said:
“What a moment! To be recognised at the Australian Financial Industry Awards is an incredible honour. This award isn’t just about numbers; it’s about innovation, integrity, and impact.
It’s proof that you can build a modern, tech-driven accounting firm that still puts people first. To our clients: thank you for trusting us with your goals.
To our team: your dedication and commitment to excellence made this possible.
To the judges: thank you for recognising what we’re building at Tax App, a new era of accounting that’s smart, simple, and deeply human.
Here’s to continuing to innovate, educate, and help Australians grow their wealth with confidence.”
Upcoming Lane Cove Events
Riverview Band Performance
Grab a picnic rug (and some dinner from a local eatery), come down to hear St Ignatius College’s bandperformr.m
When: Thursday 6 November 2025
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm
Where: The Canopy
How: Free.
Bicycle Art Tour
Hop on your bike and join us for a fun tour exploring the vibrant street art scene in Lane Cove. Discover the stories behind the artwork. Join a leisurely, guided bike tour of Lane Cove’s Street Art, uncovering the stories behind each spectacular piece of work.
When: 8 November 2025
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Meet at Cameraygal Park, Corner Longueville Rd and Epping Rd
How: Details and booking link
Carisbrook Historic House Spring Concert
Enjoy wine, cheese, and musical theatre classics, all in a historic setting.
The talented members of Normanhurst Uniting Church Musical Society present the Spring Concert at Carisbrook Historic House. This delightful concert will feature songs from their recent stage success, My Fair Lady.
When: Saturday 8 November
Time: 5.30 pm – 7 pm
Where: Carisbrook House, 334 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove
How: All the information here
Noasis At The Canopy This Saturday
There are still tickets available for Noasis on Saturday, 8th November at The Canopy.
Noasis is a tribute band that celebrates the music, sound and spirit of Oasis. Their focus is on recreating the “Wall of Sound,” the swagger, and the anthems—and giving fans a chance to relive (or experience) that era live.
All the details,s including the booking link, are here
Loch Ness Monster Comes to Lane Cove
You may have seen an article on In the Cove in late June 2025, where we reported that students at Currambena Primary School & Preschool created an illuminated giant Loch Ness monster and floated it along Tambourine Bay. This giant Monster is making a comeback for the festival. If you didn’t see it last time, make sure you do this time.
It took three weeks to create the Monster, with students designing, constructing, painting, and assembling their lantern sculptures using cane, paper, and candlelight.
On Friday, 14 November 2025, 6 .00 pm to 8.30 pm, the illuminated Monster will be floated up the River.
Picnics, kayaking, and cycling are encouraged.
Lane Cove Council will provide picnic rugs, lights, and music.
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios November Exhibition Now Open
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios continues to exhibit a compelling line-up in November 2025. All exhibitions are free to attend.
In November, Gallery Lane Cove is showcasing the works of five artists. The artists have diverse styles. When you visit the Gallery, you will see a range of different media, including paintings, ceramics, and photography.
Crime Alert – Lane Cove North Break-Ins
In the Cove has received multiple reports of break-ins over the last week in Lane Cove North, particularly around Hart Street, Murray Street, Coolaroo Road, and Mindarie Street.
Laptops, desktops and a motorbike are among the items reported stolen.
Remember to report anything suspicious to the police immediately. If you live in a unit complex, do not allow cars to tailgate you—this is how they are gaining access to the basement and, in many cases, storage cages.
North Shore Police Area Command October 2025 Update
Stealing – Chatswood – 16/10/2025
A 30-year-old Dooralong man has been charged after stealing from a department store in Chatswood CBD. At 5.55 pm on Thursday 16th of October 2025, the 30-year-old entered a department store and was observed by a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) to select six garments and enter a change room.
The man exited a short time later, and the garments that he was previously holding were no longer visible. The male then left the store.
The male was followed by the LPO towards Chatswood Interchange and after a short distance turned around to face the LPO, reached inside his backpack and pulled out a short, orange-coloured box cutter style knife.
The Dooralong man demanded the LPO stop following him and threatened to stab the LPO. The male continued into Chatswood Interchange and threw the box cutter onto the Metro Train Line. The 30-year-old then got onto a south bound Metro. Police attended the Crows Nest Metro Station and intercepted the 30-year-old man.
A search of the man by police located six shirts with security tags still attached. Further checks also identified that the male was wanted by virtue of an arrest warrant. The male was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with “Larceny value = $2000”, “Use etc of offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence” and “Stalk/intimidate intent to cause fear, physical harm”.
The arrest warrant was also executed. The male appeared before Hornsby Local Court the following day and was sentenced under the Mental Health Act.
Positive Drug Test / Possess Prohibited Drug – Mosman – 16/10/2025
A 39-year-old Queenscliff man has been charged with drug-related offences after a car he was allegedly driving was stopped by police.
At 2.50 pm on Thursday, 16th October, police were conducting random testing on Military Road, Mosman. Police will allege in court that the 39-year-old was driving a white Ford Ranger and was directed to stop by police. Police spoke with the man and conducted checks on his driver’s licence which allegedly revealed that it was currently disqualified until May 2026.
The Queenscliff man was subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a negative result. The male was then submitted to a roadside drug test which allegedly returned a positive result to Methylamphetamine.
The male was placed under arrest and was subjected to a search by police. During the search, police will allege that they located a small clear bottle containing 28.76 grams of Butanediol; which is a precursor to the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
The male was arrested and taken to Mosman Police Station for the purpose of a secondary oral fluid (drug) test. Police obtained the second sample which was sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The male was issued with a 24-hour prohibition from driving as well as a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offences of “Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period” and “Possess prohibited drug”. Further charges are likely pending the results from the Laboratory. The male is due to appear before Manly Local Court on the 4th of December.
Goods In Custody – Artarmon – 16/10/2025
A 33-year-old Artarmon man has been sentenced to 4 months in prison after being found in possession of property believed to be stolen.
At 5.45 pm on Thursday 16th October, members of the public observed the Artarmon man riffling through letterboxes of a until complex on Hampden Road, Artarmon and contacted police.
Police attended and located the 33-year-old a short distance away. Police spoke with the man and had cause to search him. During the search police located a Medicare card that did not belong to the man as well as 23 other sealed envelopes containing mail addressed to nine different residents of the Hampen Road unit complex he was previously seen at.
Checks on the male also revealed that he was breaching his current bail conditions. The male was arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with “Goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen” and “Breach of Bail”. He was refused bail by police and appeared before Hornsby Local Court the following day where he was again remanded in custody.
The man faced Penrith Local Court on the 27th of October where he entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment. This is a timely reminder to North Shore residents of the importance of locking letterboxes and clearing/emptying them regularly.
Shoplifting/Malicious Damage/Intimidation – Artarmon – 18/10/2025
A 36-year-old Artarmon man has been charged with numerous offences after an incident in Artarmon.
At 5 pm on Saturday the 18th of October, police will allege that the 36-year-old Artarmon man attended a liquor outlet in Artarmon and took a 1 litre bottle of Grey Goose Vodka valued at $98 from the store shelf and walked past the cashier and out the door making no attempt to pay for the item.
A short time later, the man allegedly walked along Hampden Lane, Artarmon where he damaged the passenger side mirrors of six parked vehicles using the stolen vodka bottle. The actions of the 36-year-old were witnessed by several members of the public, one of which followed the male into Barton Road. While in Barton Road, police will allege that the man damaged the passenger side mirrors of a further three parked vehicles.
At this point, the witness contacted triple zero. However, while on the phone to emergency services, the male allegedly threatened to kill the witness. Police arrived a short time later and arrested the 36-year-old. He was conveyed to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with 9 counts of “Destroy or damage property”, “Stalk/intimidate intent to cause fear physical etc harm” and “Shoplifting”.
The male was refused bail by police and faced Hornsby Local Court the following day where he was given strict conditional bail. The male is due to face Hornsby Local Court again on the 3rd of December.
Assault – Neutral Bay – 20/10/2025
A 61-year-old man has been charged with assault and possessing a prohibited drug and will face Manly Local Court in November.
Police will allege that at 9.00 am on Monday the 20th of October, two officers from the New South Wales Sheriff’s Office attended the 61-year-olds Alfred Street North, Neutral Bay address in order to execute a write of possession issued by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The Sheriff Officers knocked on the 61-year-old’s door, however, were not given entry. As a result, a locksmith was contacted, who attended and unlocked the door.
At 9.10am, the Sheriff’s allegedly attempted to open the now unlocked door, however, were resisted by the male. Entry was eventually gained; however, police will allege in court that the 61-year-old male had armed himself with a 2-metre-long bamboo stick which he used to strike one of the officers with. The bamboo stick was forcefully taken from the male and police called.
Police arrived a short time later and arrested the male, conveying him to North Sydney Police Station. At the station, the male was subjected to a search and police will allege that during the search they located a small amount of Crystal Methyl-Amphetamine, commonly known as ICE.
The male was charged with “Hinder/resist law enforcement officer in execution of duty”, “Assault law officer (not police officer)”, “Possess prohibited drug” and “Armed with intent commit indictable offence”. The male was given bail and is due to appear before Manly Local Court on the 20th of November.
This Week in Review is proudly sponsored by Tier 1 Plumbing
This week in review is sponsored by local plumbers Tier 1 Plumbing.
Tier 1 Plumbing is dedicated to providing professional, honest, high-quality plumbing services to all Sydney areas. Tier 1 Plumbing is a 24/7 service that offers plumbing, drainage and gas fitting to all trade areas, including domestic, commercial, property management and construction.
Licence Number: 305110C
If You Buy Us A Coffee, it is, in fact, helping to pay the ITC Team
We want to clarify that, yes, the ITC team does support local businesses by drinking coffee, but there is a limit to the number of cups you can drink in a day.
We started the Buy Us A Coffee Campaign as a way to keep local news free and to grow our team. Our team is now comprised of three local mums who work part-time to bring you all the up-to-date news, traffic alerts, incidents, and events. We also now have Walkley Award Nominee Jack Kelly writing articles for us, as well as founder Jacky Barker. We truly appreciate any help you can provide, whether large or small.
How local journalism keeps communities engaged
Local newsrooms play a vital role in keeping communities informed and engaged with the decisions that affect them. Without dedicated coverage of local government, infrastructure, and policy changes, many residents are left uninformed about issues that significantly impact their daily lives. Independent newsrooms help bridge this gap, providing a trusted source of information and giving people a platform to voice concerns. Strong local reporting doesn’t just inform, it fosters public participation and strengthens civic engagement. – extract from the Local and Independent News Association Website
