Monday 27 March 2023

Join Councillor Andrew Zbik, Mayor of Lane Cove, for your weekly news and events update.

• We have purchased bushland at 14 Gay Street! Find out more: bit.ly/3LNZ6Fs

• Great news – we have raised more than $12,000 from concerts at The Canopy.

• You can now recycle polystyrene with RecycleSmart. Find out more: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/recyclesmart

• The proposed 8 court sport and recreation precinct is advancing to the next stage. Council minutes to follow this week. Find out more: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/sportandrecreationprecinct

Lane Cove Council has bought a 2,801 square meter block to bolster its bushland portfolio.

The strategic block at 14 Gay Street, Lane Cove, was purchased as part of Council's Bushland Expansion Program and connects to the existing Stringybark Creek Reserve.

The property purchase was finalised on 17 March 2023 at $3,333,000, plus acquisition costs, in line with the Council's ongoing commitment to preserve natural bushland.

The property spans an impressive 2,801 square meters and includes mature trees, such as Sydney Blue Gums, Sydney Red Gums, Blackbutts, and Turpentines.

Council will consider sub dividing and selling the front of the property, which has a vacant house, to partially recover the purchase cost. The second option is to demolish the house and keep the whole site as open space.

Council will move to classify the land as "operational" while weighing up those two options.

The acquisition is a significant step towards the preservation of Lane Cove's natural bushland.

For more information, please view the detailed Council agenda.

In paswitive news for our furry friends and their owners, the dog park at Blackman Park has reopened after essential works were carried out following the sinkhole in 2022.

Carter, Tucker, Peppa, Lux and Max were some of the first dogs to enjoy the space.

​Residents and visitors of St Leonards will be pleased to hear a 300-space car park and Coles supermarket have opened this week in the area.  

The Council-owned St Leonards car park features EV charging and free parking for up to two hours. It services Coles, Wadanggari Park, specialty stores and the highly anticipated St Leonards Library, due to open this year.

The car park is accessible via Lithgow Street, near the beautiful 'Bush at Dusk' mural.

We are confident this new car park will make a significant contribution to the accessibility and ease of parking for residents of and visitors to St Leonards. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this new facility and explore all that our vibrant community has to offer!

Did you know that Lane Cove residents can now recycle polystyrene with RecycleSmart? 

This recycling process offers on-demand collection of tricky-to-recycle items – which cannot be placed in the yellow or blue bins – such as e-waste, clothing, batteries, and bulbs. 

To recycle your polystyrene and other plastic items, simply pack your plastics into special RecycleSmart bags and book a pickup for a date that suits you through the RecycleSmart website or mobile app. 

Want to know more about how to pack your waste, what bags to use and how the collection works? Visit RecycleSmart's website to find out more. If you have any questions get in touch with the friendly RecycleSmart team by email at hello@recyclesmart.com.

View the full list of acceptable items.

Friday 5 May, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, The Canopy Lane Cove

​DIRTY DEEDS have been kicking the can for AC/DC for more than 20 years. No other show comes close to the pure power, energy and dedication of these High Voltage Rockers!

6:00pm-6:45pm: Support act

7:00pm-9:00pm: Dirty Deeds

Kids under 2 are free. No ticket required.

This is a picnic event. Food and drinks permitted. Please bring a picnic rug or low chair (no spikes permitted). No umbrellas, dogs, or higher chairs permitted.

Book your tickets.

Lane Cove Council's works depot is almost off the grid year round, thanks to new solar panels (pictured below) and batteries. 

The works depot, on Lloyd Rees Drive, now has 138 solar panels to run the depot, which includes a workshop, mechanics shed, bush regeneration space, nursery, security lights, and onsite office.  

The 51kW system has produced an average of 174kWh a day since it was commissioned, supplying electricity directly to the depot, with excess stored in two 10kW Tesla batteries and the remainder fed to the grid.

Mayor Andrew Zbik said it bolstered Council's commitment to assist our community to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2036. 

"We have a strong sustainability focus and we're making big strides towards our ambitious goal to reduce our environmental footprint," Clr Zbik said. 

"The only time we'll need to draw electricity from the grid is when there's an extended period of cloud cover and the batteries are exhausted. 

"We're leading by example and encouraging our community to do the same by installing solar, switching to GreenPower and making small changes at their home or business."

The $300,000 project was funded by the Sustainability Levy and included the solar project, a new roof, guttering and rainwater collection into our existing 360,000 litre tank which is used to irrigate nearby Blackman Oval. All lights at the Depot including security lights have been changed to LED over the past few years. 

Key Council energy projects:

• The Tantallon Oval pavilion, opened in September 2022, is self-sufficient with solar panels and batteries running the LED sportsfield lights and pavilion with change rooms and kiosk.

• From July 2022, all Council facilities and street lights were powered by 100% renewable energy in a landmark GreenPower deal, drawing from three NSW solar farms.
  

Photo Challenge: 1-30 April

Take a photo from a local nature space and go in the draw to win great prizes in the Wild About Lane Cove photo challenge!

We're upgrading the streetscape in Longueville Road to include new flexible outdoor dining options, parklets and seating.

Some sections of parking on the eastern side will seamlessly change from parking to outdoor dining to public seating/park areas and back again. It will improve the streetscape for pedestrians and businesses and provide a fresh new look. 

Upcoming works

Night works will take place at the following locations and dates: 

Monday 20 February - Monday 13 March, 7:00pm - 5:00am

• Western side: 109-123 Longueville Road.
  

•  All 6 parking spaces (including disabled parking) will be closed during construction.
  

Tuesday 14 March - Monday 24 April, 9:00pm - 5:00am

• Eastern side: Little Street intersection to 140 Longueville Road.
  

• Construction will begin from the southern end of Longueville Road and 4-5 parking spaces will be closed at a time.
  

Due to RMS requirements there may be some movement of heavy machinery outside these hours. The works will involve the removal of existing paving, kerb and gutter and road asphalt on parking lanes with machinery, and replacement of new pavers and kerbs including the installation of steel bollards.

The work will be noisy; however, every effort will be made to minimise the impact of noise on residents and businesses. Council's contractor will endeavour to complete the noisier tasks by midnight.

New paving near the pedestrian crossing on Longueville Road

January 2023

Council contractors will resume works on Longueville Road on Tuesday 31 January, following the Christmas/New Year break. 

Night works will take place at 138 - 150 Longueville Road from Tuesday 31 January - Monday 6 February, 9:00pm - 5:00am. Due to RMS requirements there may be some movement of heavy machinery outside these hours. 

The works will involve the removal of existing paving with machinery, and replacement of new pavers. 

The work will be noisy; however, every effort will be made to minimise the impact of noise on residents and businesses. Council's contractor will endeavour to complete the noisier tasks by midnight. 

Thank you for your patience.

December 2022

Works are continuing on our Longueville Road streetscape upgrade and the next step involves nightworks from Thursday 8 December to Friday 16 December (weather permitting), between Birdwood Avenue and 109 Longueville Road. The works will take place between 7:00pm – 5:00am and involve the removal of existing paving with machinery and replacement of new pavers.

Access to properties in the above streets will be affected during these hours. While residents will be able to access to their property, some delays may be encountered. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Due to RMS requirements there may be some movement of heavy machinery outside these hours. 

All effort will be made to minimise disruption and noise. 

Free pavers – own a piece of Longueville Road!

This is your chance to pick up some free pavers and own a piece of Longueville Rd, Lane Cove. We’re replacing the pavers on Longueville Rd as part of a streetscape upgrade and we’re offering the old pavers free to Lane Cove Council residents and businesses – either pick up or free delivery. 

They’re in good condition and would be perfect for an outdoor entertaining area or any other projects around your home or business. They’re 230mm x 110mm x 40mm in earthy tones.

Email us (service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au) with the subject heading “Pavers – Longueville Road”, including the below details 

• Your Name
  

• Phone Number
  

• Email

• Home/business address in Lane Cove

• Required square meters

• Whether you want to pick up from Blackman Park or your delivery address

1 October 

We're upgrading the streetscape in Longueville Road, starting this month (October). It will include new flexible outdoor dining options, parklets and seating. The new paving will match that in the Plaza. Some sections of parking on the eastern side will seamlessly change from parking to outdoor dining to public seating/park areas and back again. It will improve the streetscape for pedestrians and businesses and provide a fresh new look. 

Our contractor will complete the work in stages so that only smaller segments of paving are replaced at any one time. The first area to be repaved is Birdwood Avenue between Birdwood Lane and Longueville Road. We'll maintain access to businesses during the works and make sure that the community is aware that the area remains 'open for business'. 

In summary: 

• Works will commence on Birdwood Avenue and once this section is completed, it will progress to the Lane Cove Library to take advantage of the reduction of foot traffic during September school holidays

• In October, works will begin near Central Avenue before being staged along Longueville Road

• Businesses can nominate timeframes that are most convenient, otherwise they will receive notification of the works approaching their business about 7 days before the works begin.

• In areas where there are underground services (water, electric etc) the works may take more time – businesses in those areas will be notified

• Signage will provide regular updates and will help promote the area as open for business
  

We'll update this webpage as the project progresses. If you have any questions, contact (02) 9911 3555 to speak with our Open Space & Urban Service Team.

Part of this project is funded by the ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ project, an initiative of the NSW Government. 

​Want to know your neighbour better? 

Download our Meet your Neighbour toolkit!

Meet Your Neighbour Funding - allocation exhausted

Now is your chance to host an event to meet someone new and get to know people living in your apartment block or on your street. 

As part of the launch of the Meet Your Neighbours Toolkit, Council will subsidise strata and residents up to $300 to host their own "meet your neighbours" event. 

You can host a street party, BBQ, breakfast, or treasure hunt. We'll support your event ideas. 

Get in touch with us at sustainability@lanecove.nsw.gov.au or 9911 3644 and tell us your idea or apply online.

Applications open between 1 - 31 March 2023. First in, first served while funding is still available.

Update: the funding allocation for this has now been exhausted.

​Council's latest quarterly newsletter, In Focus, is now available to read online or you can read some highlights below. 

Wadanggari Park - a place of Banksias, play and relaxation

The incredible new green space being built over the train line at St Leonards has formally been named Wadanggari Park. The name perfectly reflects the green space and playground that is being built in the area. Selected and voted on by our community, the name Wadanggari Park has been officially registered with the state government's Geographical Naming Board. Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Lane Cove Council, Wadanggari Park faces the Pacific Highway bridging Canberra Avenue to the new Coles, library, car park, commercial and retail spaces, specialty shops and other commercial and retail businesses on Lithgow Street. The park will open later this year. 

Longueville Road upgrades

Longueville Road’s makeover is coming along nicely with new outdoor dining, gardens and seating. The new paving matches the Plaza. Parking on the eastern side will change from outdoor dining to public seating/park areas and back again. This will improve the streetscape for pedestrians and businesses and provide a fresh new look. The upgrade is funded by Lane Cove Council, with partial funding from the ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ project, an initiative of the NSW Government. 

Mural is St Leonards’ new icon

Wander by this stunning new giant mural off Christie Street and be impressed by its design, scale, and colour. Designed and painted by artist Helen Proctor, this new St Leonards icon is an abstract of waterways and bushland. The mural is 530 square metres. 

Applications are open for our annual Community Assistance Grants Program and the Cultural Performance Venue Hire Subsidy.

Community Assistance Grants

Funding of up to $10,000 is available to not-for-profit organisations for one-off projects and services that support and enhance the wellbeing of Lane Cove residents and the community.

Cultural Performance Venue Hire Subsidy

This subsidy provides up to $4,000 for venue hire fees for not-for-profit performance groups to utilise larger performance spaces. 

Find out more and apply now.

Do you know an outstanding volunteer, teacher, business owner, friend or neighbour? Nominate them now for the Citizenship Awards or Neighbour Day Award.

Since 1992, Lane Cove Council has presented the Lane Cove Citizenship Awards to acknowledge the contributions made by high achievers in the local community. Awards are presented in the year following the nomination and/or achievement.

Who can make a nomination?

Anyone, regardless of where they live, is invited to nominate a person, or persons, whom they feel has made a significant contribution to the community.

Who is eligible to be nominated?

In most cases, the recipient should be a resident of Lane Cove or, for some categories, employees/owners of a Lane Cove business. As the category list overleaf/below indicates, there is an Award category to suit most contributions eg. one who has contributed to the sustainability of Lane Cove, a quiet achiever, a young person, an artist, an employee of a business, an outstanding business or a sportsperson. Nominations of volunteers are particularly welcome as the presentation evening coincides with National Volunteer Week (15 – 21 May 2023).

Nominate now!

Works have now been completed to upgrade the toilet at Tambourine Bay Reserve. The new bathroom is now fully accessible.

​Lane Cove power poles transformed into EV charging stations in Aussie first 

Lane Cove Council is one of 11 councils in NSW to trial electric vehicle chargers on power poles.

Local street side power poles will be turned into electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under an Australian first trial being rolled out across the Sydney and Hunter regions of NSW. 

It's supported by the federal government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency with a $871,000 grant.

The trial will involve 50 street-side locations across all of the LGAs, with each station connected to the overhead electricity from 100% GreenPower.

Smart metering and data intelligence provider Intellihub will lead the project, working with Lane Cove Council to investigate suitable locations for the Schneider 7.4kW EV chargers. EV drivers will be able to pay for their charging through an app, but parking will be free. 

Locations being considered include: 

1. Phoenix St, Lane Cove

2. Little Street, Lane Cove

3. Longueville Road, Lane Cove

4. Greenwich Road, Greenwich

5. Oxley Street, St Leonards

6. Cnr Oxley and Nicholson Street, St Leonards

7. Mindarie Street, Lane Cove North 

Mayor Andrew Zbik said Lane Cove Council's sustainability ethos supported the uptake of EVs. 

"Council leads by example having earlier this year switched to 100% renewable energy in our facilities and street lights. 

"Council has one of the largest local government charging networks with 15 free and 2 paid EV charging stations: 

• 8 at The Canopy car park (including 2 paid fast charging)

• 4 in the Little Street car park

• 5 at Market Square Car Park

In early 2023, 4 free and 2 paid EV charging stations will open in Council's new car park at St Leonards." 

"Council's own fleet of cars includes 3 EVs as a pilot project, with plans to further expand this under development. 

"Our Sustainability Lane event on Sunday 4 December is our second event where we have invited our community to meet with EV owners and explore opportunities to be more sustainable." 

"We're at an important tipping point for the adoption of EVs and Council can support our community through increased access to charging." 

The Lane Cove/St Leonards parking study earlier this year examined current and future parking needs, including the recommendation that an EV parking strategy be developed. See more details here. 

2021 census data shows 8,750 people or 56.7% of the Lane Cove LGA are unit dwellers. 

Find out more about Sustainability Lane on Sunday 4 December.  

See www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/parking for details, costs and parking times. 

Find out more about the project.