Celebrating Local Government Week 2026

Published on 03 August 2026

Lane Cove Council is joining councils across the state to celebrate Local Government Week from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 August 2026.

Coordinated by Local Government NSW, the week shines a light on the far-reaching role councils play in their communities – moving the conversation beyond roads, rates and rubbish to the parks, playgrounds, libraries, festivals, cultural spaces and community services that help make Lane Cove such a great place to live.

Here's how we're celebrating in Lane Cove this year.

"Hello Lane Cove!" Plaza Event - Wednesday 5 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Lane Cove Plaza

Make room for connection this August! Drop into the Plaza for giant garden games, live music and the chance to meet local stallholders and discover social opportunities across art, dance, fitness, seniors' day trips, kids and parent services, and volunteering. The event is free and everyone is welcome – come along any time.

Find out more about the "Hello Lane Cove!" Plaza Event

Community Grants Presentation

On Wednesday 5 August, we announced the recipients of Council's 2026-27 Community Grants Program. There were 19 local organisations in total that received a share in $581,526 to deliver programs for parents, children, women, seniors, young people and people with disability across arts, sport, peer support and more. The awards presentation was a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible community groups whose work strengthens connection and wellbeing across Lane Cove.

The recipients of the 2026-27 Community Grants Program are:

• Birrahlee Preschool
• Centrehouse
• Empowering Parents in Crisis (EPIC)
• Hughes Park Community Garden
• Lane Cove Bowling & Recreation Club
• Lane Cove Community Bands
• Lane Cove Historical Society
• Lane Cove District Music Club
• Lane Cove Public School Parents and Citizens Association
• Lane Cove Swimming Club
• Lane Cove Youth Orchestra
• Pottery Gardens (Lane Cove Retirement Units)
• St Vincent de Paul Society Lane Cove Conference
• StreetWork
• The Diddy (Longueville Sporting Club)
• The Sydney Library of Things (Lane Cove Toy Library)
• Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT (Cockatoos Wheelchair Basketball Club)
• Women & Children First
• Sydney Community Services
  
  

Lane Cove in the Spotlight at the LGNSW Awards

Lane Cove Council Manager Communications & Cultural Programs, Sarah Corry, was named the winner of the RH Dougherty Events and Communication Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution.

This prestigious award recognises exceptional communications and events professionals whose leadership, innovation and dedication have delivered significant outcomes for their council and community.

Sarah's leadership in communications and cultural programming has transformed how our community engages with Council. Through strategic, campaign-led storytelling, she has expanded our digital reach to more than 160,000 people, increased community engagement, and improved participation across more than 40 public consultation campaigns in the past 12 months.

Her work has successfully promoted major Council initiatives and community infrastructure, including the launch of Galuwa, which welcomed more than 25,000 visitors in its first month. Sarah has also secured $337,000 in external funding for cultural events and delivered communications campaigns that have driven meaningful behaviour change, including diverting 55 tonnes of additional food waste from landfill.

Beyond these impressive achievements, Sarah has strengthened both our internal communications capability and our connection with the community. Her introduction of explainer videos, streamlined digital engagement processes and clearer communication pathways has made it easier for residents to have their say. She also played a pivotal role in repositioning the Lane Cove Festival through its strategic alignment with the Sydney Fringe Program, resulting in a remarkable 209% increase in attendance and attracting 7,742 festival-goers.

We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the passion, creativity and professionalism she brings to Lane Cove Council every day.

Congratulations, Sarah, on this outstanding achievement and well-earned recognition!

Lane Cove Council is also proud to be a finalist in two categories at this year's Local Government Week Awards, which were presented at the LGNSW Awards night in Sydney on Thursday 6 August:

• Fringe Factor: Reimagining the Lane Cove Festival – entered in the RH Dougherty Events and Communications Awards (Innovation in Special Events), recognising the bold new direction of the Lane Cove Festival through our partnership with Sydney Fringe.
• From Space to Stage: Pottery Lane Performance Space – entered in the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Awards (Arts and Cultural Project), celebrating the transformation of Pottery Lane into a dedicated home for local performance. 
  
  

Students Step Inside Civic Life

Students from St Ignatius' College will visit the Council Civic Centre and Chambers during Local Government Week to learn about civics and the important role Council plays in the community. From how decisions are made in the Chamber to the many services Council delivers every day, the visit offers our next generation of leaders a behind-the-scenes look at local democracy in action.

Local Government Week is a chance to say thank you – to our community, our volunteers and our staff – and to celebrate everything that makes Lane Cove special. We hope to see you at the Plaza!