Here’s your roundup of the latest Lane Cove news, council updates, events and other community information.
Thank you Jack & Co for sponsoring this Week in Review.
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Lane Cove News
Sentencing Announced For Child Sex Offender
This article discusses child abuse material. Support information is included at the end of the article.
Artarmon man David James, 27, has been jailed for 12 years after committing child sex offences at six Sydney OOSH centres, including Helping Hands Lane Cove West, between 2021 and 2024. The sentencing closes out AFP Operation Arctile. Full details and support service information on ITC. Read the full story here.
Grab A Weekend Snag & Help Sam Get Home
Jack & Co Food Stores in Northwood and Lane Cove Swim Club are joining forces for a huge weekend of community support for local para swimmer Sam Pratt.
Across the entire weekend, Jack & Co will donate $1 from every coffee and $1 from every fuel sale at both its Lane Cove and Northwood stores, up to $5,000.
Spend $15 or more and you’ll also go into the draw to win a $200 Jack & Co hamper.
At Northwood there will also be a BBQ both days. ITC will be there helping on the BBQ, so please come past, say hello and help our community get Sam safely home.
Where: Jack & Co Northwood
When: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July
Time: Sausage sizzle from 10 am – 1 pm both days.
How: $3 a snag, with every dollar going directly to Sam
Read the full story and find all the ways you can help.
Lane Cove Local Claims Gold In Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Lane Cove North’s Marcelo Brito just brought home gold from the 2026 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Chiba, Japan — carrying the Australian flag as he took out his division.
A sixth-degree black belt with 36+ years in the sport, Marcelo has personally promoted more than 50 black belts and coaches at Sydney Jiu Jitsu Academy in Chatswood. He was back on the mats teaching local kids just days later.
Congratulations, Marcelo!
Lane Cove Council July Meeting Agenda
Lane Cove Council meets this Thursday 23 July at 7 pm.
The agenda includes a possible ban on fur products at council land and markets, a fresh push on data centres including a global mayoral pact and a call for a moratorium, and two big consultations opening this month on the Burns Bay Reserve Masterplan and watercraft storage fees. Read the full breakdown here.
Reminder: National Test For AusAlert Monday 27 July 2026
A national test of AusAlert will take place around 2 pm AEST on Monday 27 July 2026 to check the full capabilities of the new system before the complete roll out which is expected in October 2026.
AusAlert is a new national messaging tool that State and Federal governments will be able to use to send geo-targeted messages during emergencies such as natural hazards (bushfires, floods, cyclones and tsunamis), public safety and security threats, biosecurity incidents and health emergencies.
During the national test, everyone with a compatible mobile device that is powered and turned on will receive an alert regardless of whether your phone is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’. A word of warning: it’s loud! Go here for more information on the test and to listen to an audio sample of the alert.
Local Writers In The Spotlight
On Tuesday 14 July Lane Cove Mayor Merri Southwood officially launched the Lane Cove Literary Awards 2025 Anthology at a special civic event, with guests treated to readings from a number of the talented authors and poets whose work features in this year’s publication.
The anthology brings together 31 short stories, travel stories and poems from the 2025 competition, showcasing the breadth and diversity of Australian writing. You can purchase your very own copy of the collection from Lane Cove Library for $25.
For the complete list of award recipients and further information, visit Lane Cove Literary Awards.
Up Next At Lane Cove Theatre
Lane Cove Theatre Company is bringing Andrew Bovell’s riotous black comedy After Dinner, a tender, sharply observed night in a suburban pub bistro, to the stage.
Set in a 1980s pub bistro, After Dinner follows five eccentric lonely hearts over the course of one very telling Friday night. It’s a poignant and hilarious collision of singles, sex, friendship and after-work drinks.
Read more and find session details in our article.
Sunday Is National Tree Day
National Tree Day, held on the last Sunday of July each year, is Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature event, organised by Planet Ark. Since 1996, millions of Australians have come together to plant native trees and shrubs, restore local habitats and reconnect with the natural environment. This year it falls on Sunday 27 July 2026.
The Lane Cove Bushcare event is fully booked, but locals keen to get involved can find alternative sites nearby via this tool. Volunteer spots are still available just over Lane Cove borders at Boronia Park and North Ryde.
And if you can’t make it to a planting this year, set aside even 10 minutes on Sunday to step outside, breathe in some fresh air and say a quiet thank you to your favourite native tree or shrub.
Sustainability Lane 2026 — call for stallholders
Community groups and businesses are invited to apply for a stall at Sustainability Lane 2026, part of the Lane Cove Rotary Fair at The Canopy on Sunday 11 October.
Applications close 11.59 pm Sunday 26 July 2026. Details and application links here.
Local History Snapshot: Woodford Bay Bullock Track
Ever stood at the corner of Kenneth and Woodford Streets and had no idea you were at the top of a 175-year-old industrial haul road?
That’s exactly where you’ll find a small heritage plaque marking the Woodford Bay Bullock Track. As early as 1849 a man named William Reynolds ran a private bullock track from this junction down the escarpment to his land at the water’s edge. A team of bullocks hauled felled timber down to a sandstone wharf at Woodford Bay, where it was loaded onto a barge and shipped across the harbour to market in Sydney town.
This was Lane Cove before it was Lane Cove. No suburb, no streets as we know them, just working land running down to the river, and the water doing the job roads do today.
In the Media
Data centre moratorium calls make national headlines
The Prime Minister’s new AI blueprint has sparked calls for a moratorium on data centres until fresh regulations are in place — a debate playing out right here with the Lane Cove West proposal. Read the coverage in The Guardian.
Lane Cove West residents protest data centre proposal
Sky News covered Lane Cove West residents taking their opposition to the proposed data centre public. Watch the segment on Sky News (video).
Have Your Say
Closing Soon: Draft Engagement Strategy, Policy and Digital Engagement Strategy
Lane Cove Council is seeking community feedback on three draft documents that guide how it engages with residents and communicates information: the Community Engagement Strategy, the Community Engagement Policy, and the Digital Engagement, Marketing and Communications Strategy. Feedback can be submitted via the online survey or via email with the subject line: Community Engagement Strategies SU80.
Consultation closes Wednesday 5 August 2026.
Upcoming Events
Evolution: Founders of the Indigenous Art Movement
Until 25 July, Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios, 164 Longueville Rd. A rare chance to see works by some of the most significant names in Indigenous Australian art, curated by Brenda Colahan.
Kidpreneur Fest 26 — The Market Run by the Kids
Kids take over The Canopy for an afternoon market, selling handmade crafts, baked goods, books, plants and more. A great outing for families and anyone keen to support young local talent.
When: Saturday 25 July 2026
Time: 1 pm – 5 pm
Where: The Canopy, Lane Cove
How: Free entry. More details here.
Meet The Sydney Swans At The Canopy
The Sydney Swans are coming to Lane Cove! Members of the AFL team will visit The Canopy on Tuesday 28 July as guests of the Lane Cove Hunters Hill Cats AFL Club, giving local footy fans the chance to meet players in person.
Grab a photo, collect autographs, pick up AFL giveaways and enjoy footy activities for the whole family. Bring the kids, wear your red and white, and come along for an afternoon celebrating footy in the heart of Lane Cove. Note: player appearances are subject to availability.
When: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Time: 5.30 pm – 7 pm
Where: The Canopy
How: Free. Just turn up. More details here.
As you can see from the photos below last year’s event was heaps of fun.
Lane Cove Library Open Day
Lane Cove Library is opening its doors for a special Open Day as part of the statewide Open Doors, Open Books, Open Minds event, coordinated by the NSW Public Libraries Association and the State Library of NSW. The day includes local history drop-ins, storytime, recorded book reviews and an evening talk on AI — a great chance to explore everything the state’s top lending library per head has to offer.
When: Thursday 30 July 2026
Time: 10 am – 7.30 pm
Where: Lane Cove Library, Library Place, Lane Cove
How: Free. Full programme here.
Daffodil Day Sip & Swap
After the success of last year, the Daffodil Day Sip & Swap fundraiser is back for its second year. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $25,000 for Cancer Council. Expect a fun night of clothes swapping, wine, nibbles, a signature cocktail, live and silent auctions and special guests — all for a great cause.
When: Friday 21 August 2026
Time: 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Where: The Cove Room, 48 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
How: More information and tickets in our article here.
For a comprehensive list of upcoming local events check out In The Cove’s Event Calendar.
Crime, Accidents & Incidents
Two teens charged over Hunters Hill Arson Spree
Two teenage boys have been charged following an investigation into a series of alleged attempted arsons on Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill.
Police allege the pair were linked to incidents dating back to 21 June, including a fire set near a vacant property and a vehicle doused in accelerant. No one was injured in any of the incidents.
The 15 and 17 year olds were arrested nearby last night and charged with enter enclosed lands with intent to commit an indictable offence and attempted destroy or damage property by fire or explosive whilst in company. They were refused bail and face a children’s court today.
For more info on this and other local crime updates — Crime Watch: Lane Cove & Surrounds.
This Week is Sponsored by Jack & Co
Help Sam Get Home
This weekend, Jack & Co is throwing its full support behind Greenwich para swimmer and Australian squad representative Sam Pratt, who is working towards getting home safely after a recent neurological diagnosis left her facing significant mobility challenges.
Here’s how the fundraiser works across Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July:
🔥 All BBQ proceeds donated — Northwood Store, 10 am – 1 pm each day.
☕ $1 from every coffee and ⛽ $1 from every fuel sale donated — Lane Cove and Northwood stores, up to $5,000.
🎁 Spend $15 or more at Jack & Co Lane Cove or Northwood and go in the draw to win a $200 Jack & Co hamper (one winner from each of the 2 locations).
Every coffee, every snag, every fill-up on the 25th & 26th helps get Sam home. More about the event and Sam here.
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