Welcome to this week’s In the Cove – Week in Review. Each week, we round up the most important local news, community updates, events and stories you might have missed — all in one place. From what’s happening around Lane Cove to what’s coming up in the week ahead, this is your quick catch-up on all things local.
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Lane Cove News |
Lane Cove In The News |
Business Alerts |
Upcoming Lane Cove Events |
Local Sports |
Crime, Accidents, Incidents |
Lane Cove News
Lane Cove Council Releases a Statement on the Bondi Beach shooting
Lane Cove’s Galuwa Recreation Centre is ready to open its doors on 1 January 2026
To celebrate, Lane Cove Council is hosting a Community Open Day on Sunday 8 February, inviting locals to explore the state-of-the-art facility and join in on the fun.
The Lane Cove Golf Course will be operating from Galuwa Recreation Centre’s Pro Shop from 18 December 2025.
Galuwa is designed to cater to a wide range of recreational, sporting, and community activities, meeting the growing need for indoor recreation facilities in Sydney.
The centre features:
- Eight multi-sport courts – four indoor and four outdoor, suitable for basketball, netball, volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, group fitness and more.
- Flexible community spaces – four multipurpose rooms and a floor-sprung hall for programs, events, and social gatherings.
- Golf facilities – including a new pro shop and players’ lounge integrated with the existing Lane Cove Golf Course.
- Dining and social areas – bistro and outdoor seating for casual meals, events, and community connection.
- Accessible parking – accommodating cars, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- Sustainability features – 200 kW solar, a 200,000 L rainwater tank, LED lighting, operable louvres for natural cross-ventilation, and EV charging stations.
Construction is now complete, with final fitouts, landscaping, wayfinding, and public art installations underway ahead of the opening. Not all of the Recreation Centre will be operating on the opening date. The Food and Beverage area (to be operated by Lusso Kitchens) will open after they finish their fit out. They were only recently appointed.
Lane Cove Gets Into The Festive Spirit
The past week has seen a lot of festive fun in Lane Cove. Check out the photos below.
Santa in The Canopy
Santa paused his busy schedule and popped by The Canopy on Saturday 13th December to take some photos with locals and hear about their Christmas wishes.
Carols In The Canopy
On Sunday 14th December locals gathered at The Canopy for Christmas Carols presented by the LCM and C3 churches. There was a very festive vibe as people brought their picnic dinners and filled the area with music and singing.
Lane Cove Choristers Entertain
Tuesday 16th December saw shoppers and cafe patrons treated to a lovely performance at the Live Music Zone by The Lane Cove Choristers. They presented a set full of holiday favourites and carols.
Celebrate Mowbray Finishing The School Year On A High
Saturday afternoon and evening saw the Mowbray Public School and wider community come together at Celebrate Mowbray. There was a festival atmosphere with rides, games, food trucks and fireworks.
The event is organised by the school’s P&C as a way to bring the community together and support the school.
In The Cove’s Christmas Lights Competition
Our Lane Cove Christmas Lights Interactive Map is LIVE and being added to every day.
Check it out here and start planning your walk or drive to see them all.
You can also vote for your favourite property in The People’s Choice Award by viewing this post and hitting the ‘Like’ reaction on your favourite.
Lane Cove Gift Cards Pop Up Stall
Looking for a great gift and want to support local businesses at the same time? The Lane Cove Gift Card is the perfect solution!
The cards can be used for everything from shopping, beauty treatments, and cafes. You choose the value of the card. New retailers are being added all the time.
The card is great for all ages as they can be used for everyday purchases.
Lane Cove Gift Card stall dates:
When: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st December
Where: The Canopy near escalators to supermarkets
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
A special offer from Lane Cove Council all purchases over $100 will receive a free Lane Cove shopping cart.
Can’t make it to the shops? Digital cards are also available.
Lane Cove In The News
Home HQ Artarmon Under New Ownership
We previously reported that Home HQ was up for sale. It has now been bought for over $180 million by two entities who will each have a 50% stake in the huge retail space.
You can read more in this Shopping Centre News article.
Lane Cove Council
December 2025 Council Meeting Wrap Up
The last Lane Cove Council meeting of the year was a marathon, not a sprint. It finished at 11.40 pm. The public forum was packed and the issues raised by members of the public before the meeting were the proposal to grant money to local hospitalioty businesses to hire drag performers during Pride Week and the issue of community safety.
The minutes of the meeting can be accessed here.
Inclusive Communities Grant
Councillors resolved to proceed with a pilot grant program, noting a positive public response to the survey, and to extend the program so that it is available to all Lane Cove businesses and not-for-profit organisations for Pride celebrations. As the possible list of grant recipients was expanded, the matter will be notified to the public for comment in accordance with the Local Government Act requirements.
Community Safety
Councillors resolved to:
1. affirm its strong commitment to supporting a safe, welcoming and connected community, and to prioritising community safety through proactive initiatives, partnerships and education programs;
2. request that Council staff coordinate the development of a Community Safety Mapping Project to assist NSW Police in identifying the location of safety cameras (CCTV) across the LGA. This includes CCTV installed in Council facilities as well as private systems voluntarily registered by residents and businesses, to support crime prevention, detection and incident resolution;
3. note that there is an existing CCTV register – NSW Police Force CCTV Register – on the NSW Police website, and promote this register for use by residents and businesses on Council’s website and through other communication channels; and
3. request that Council staff develop a program of community-safety initiatives in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch Australia, the NSW Police Area Command and other relevant organisations. The program should focus on locally relevant, innovative and collaborative approaches that build community awareness, resilience and safer neighbourhoods. This may include further community education, neighbourhood-level engagement, safety-focused events and opportunities for residents to connect with Police and Council on local issues and prevention strategies. Programming and funding is to be considered as part of the Operational Plan and Budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
Business Alerts
Longueville Hotel Wins Australian Hotels Association Award
Congratulations to the Longueville Hotel (affectionately known as The Longy) who were the winner of the Best Metro Casual Dining, Northern at the 2025 Australian Hotels Association Awards.
The summer menu has recently landed so head in and check it out soon.
Upcoming Lane Cove Events
There is so much happening around Lane Cove. See below for a selection of what’s coming up. For a comprehensive list check out In The Cove’s Event Calendar.
Last Makers Markets For 2025
This Sunday 21st December is the final market for the year. Come down and grab your last minute gifts (or something for yourself – you deserve it).
Celebrate New Year’s Eve At The Canopy
Plastic Soul returns to the Canopy with their 4 Piece band for a free NYE 2025 concert.
Formed in Sydney by some of the local scene’s best, Plastic Soul is a party band with a predilection for all things funk and soul.
From ’60s Motown classics to the smoothest selections of 2000s R&B, Plastic Soul has you covered for any occasion, traversing the decades in a high-energy funk celebration. Put simply, the band has one mission – to lather you up with grooves so irresistible you’ll have no choice but to get up and boogie.
When: Wednesday 31st December
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: The Canopy Stage
How: FREE. BYO picnic. Note: Some of the restaurants may require bookings.
Kylie Tribute Show
The first Canopy concert of 2026 is a Kylie Minogue Tribute. It promises to be a high-energy celebration of Kylie Minogue’s biggest hits across all her eras.
When: Saturday 24 January 2026
Where: The Canopy
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm. Support act Think Baby Think from 6 pm. Main show from 7 pm.
How: FREE. BYO picnic or purchase from local restaurants.
Local Sports
Olympic Medallist Visits Lane Cove Swim Club
Lane Cove Swim Club welcomed a VIP to to present certificates to some club members.
Olivia Wunsch presented certificates to LCSC’s senior state swimmers, open water state swimmers and national open water swimmers.
It was an inspiring visit, with local swimmers able to hear about her 2024 Olympic experience and see the gold medal she won in the 4 x 100m Freestyle relay.
Lane Cove Netball Excited To Train At Galuwa
The Lane Cove Netball Club is excited to announce that from Term 1 2026 training for their 10 years + age groups will be at the soon-to-be-opened Galuwa Recreation Centre.
Crime, Accidents, Incidents
Strike Force Sweetenham Arrests
ITC recently reported on a community briefing session by council and the North Shore Police Area Command where the Crime Prevention Officer told residents about Strike Force Sweetenham.
Strike Force Sweetenham was established to target ongoing occurrences of aggravated break, enter and steal offences involving the theft of vehicles across the Sydney metropolitan area, including Lane Cove suburbs.
Last week two teenage boys were charged by Strike Force Sweetenham after a series of break-ins and car thefts across New South Wales.
Just after 11.15 pm on Monday, 8 December 2025, police from North Shore Police Area Command were called to Whaling Road in North Sydney after a bronze Land Rover Defender was reported stolen. Police set up a crime scene and began investigating.
Around 12.00 am on Thursday, 11 December 2025, police from Oxley Police District were called to a home on Morilla Street in Hillvue, near Tamworth. A white 2017 Kia Sorento was stolen from the driveway. The owner told police that the car keys had been taken from the kitchen while he was inside the house. Police again set up a crime scene and began an investigation.
The Kia was later found by police at about 12.45 pm on Gas Street in Singleton. It was seized so police could check it for fingerprints.
At about 2.00 am on Friday, 12 December 2025, police from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to a home on Paton Street in Kingsford after a white Volvo sedan was reported stolen.
Police allege the two boys later went into a service station on Bunnerong Road in Maroubra and used a bank card to make a purchase.
After searching the area, police arrested both boys, aged 13 and 14, nearby.
Charges Laid
The 13-year-old boy was charged with multiple offences, including:
- Breaking into homes while people were inside
- Stealing vehicles without the owner’s permission
- Entering property intending to commit a serious crime
- Using a bank card dishonestly
- Being in a stolen vehicle
- Breaching bail
He was refused bail and appeared before the Children’s Court on Friday, 12 December 2025.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with:
- Breaking into a home with others to steal
- Breaking and entering to commit a serious crime
- Being in a stolen vehicle
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before the Children’s Court on Monday, 19 January 2026.
This Week in Review is proudly sponsored by Gelatissimo Lane Cove
A huge thank you to Gelatissimo Lane Cove and local owner Bruce, who has been a long-time supporter of In the Cove and a genuine champion of our local community. We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of local businesses like Bruce’s, which help make independent, community-focused local news possible.
Located in the heart of Lane Cove, Gelatissimo Lane Cove serves up authentic, handcrafted gelato, made fresh in-store using premium ingredients. With a huge range of classic favourites, dairy-free and vegan options, plus limited-edition seasonal flavours, there’s always something new to try.
Perfect for a post-school treat, after-dinner dessert, or a festive summer indulgence, Gelatissimo Lane Cove is a local favourite for good reason.
📍 Visit them in Lane Cove Village
🍦 Pop in-store to check out their latest flavours and specials
❤️ Support a business that supports Lane Cove
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