Council - 18/08/2026

Topics

• Council creates committee to deliver $500,000 Bondi Park memorial artwork
  Waverley Council has delegated delivery of a permanent Bondi Park memorial artwork to a new 13-member stakeholder committee, funded from a $2 million NSW Government grant.
  The project will shape a major public memorial at Archer Park following the 14 December 2025 Bondi Beach attack, with community and affected-family involvement in the process.
• Waverley backs more housing in Bondi Junction and Rose Bay under new Sydney plan
  Council endorsed a response to The Sydney Plan that includes a 2,400-home five-year target, 30 years of feasible housing capacity and a 3,000-dwelling Bondi Junction Master Plan target.
  The directions could lead to rezoning, greater housing density and changes to development controls across Bondi Junction, Rose Bay, suburban areas and Bondi Beach.
• Bondi Beach overnight parking limit to apply even to permit holders
  Council carried a motion for a 7 pm to 7 am four-hour parking limit across the Bondi Beach Parking Area, including vehicles with beach parking permits.
  The change targets overnight parking and directly affects permit holders, visitors and nearby residents using Queen Elizabeth Drive and Park Drive.

Decisions

• Bondi Park Memorial Artwork Committee established
  Council established a committee, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and representatives from government, Jewish community organisations, emergency services, surf lifesaving, families, arts and the wider community. The committee may oversee delivery of the memorial artwork up to $500,000, funded from a $2 million NSW Government grant for the artwork and Bondi Park upgrades.
  The memorial will be developed in the Archer Park area of Bondi Park, where the 14 December 2025 attack occurred. The exact location, design and delivery date will follow consultation and the committee process.
• Artistic response and Sharing Light initiative noted
  Council noted community artistic projects responding to the Bondi Beach attack and the planned Sharing Light temporary artwork during Chanukah 2026 and around the first anniversary on 14 December 2026. Workshops are planned at Bondi Pavilion.
  Residents will be invited to participate in community art workshops and related anniversary activities.
• 2025–26 budget carryover approved
  Council carried forward $5,881,611 from the 2025–26 financial year budget into 2026–27, as set out in the report attachment.
  The carryover keeps previously budgeted projects or commitments funded in the new financial year, although the supplied extract does not itemise the individual projects.
• Affordable Housing Program tenancy policy adopted
  Council adopted the Affordable Housing Program Tenancy Policy and Operating Guidelines.
  The policy sets the operating and tenancy framework for Council’s affordable housing program.
• Rose Bay Secondary College public access agreement declined
  Council decided not to enter a joint-use agreement for after-hours public access to the school playing field because of substantial financial and resource impacts. It will continue supporting the Department of Education’s Share Our Space program and advocacy for shared school facilities.
  The school field will not receive the proposed Council-supported after-hours access arrangement at this stage.
• Car Share Policy placed on public exhibition
  Council placed the draft Car Share Policy on public exhibition for 28 days after considering community consultation feedback.
  Residents can review and comment on the draft policy during the exhibition period. The supplied extract does not state the exhibition closing date.
• Oxford Street cycleway connection advocacy continued
  Council recognised the need for a continuous separated cycleway between Waverley and the City of Sydney, noted the completed Waverley section and the NSW Government’s in-principle commitment to the Oxford Street East missing link, and resolved to seek funding and a Transport for NSW briefing.
  The proposed missing link would improve cycling access between Bondi Junction, Centennial Park, Taylor Square, Paddington, Surry Hills and the Sydney CBD.
• Planning proposal for Hall Street and Roscoe Street noted as proceeding to Gateway
  Council noted that the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel had determined that planning proposal PP-2025-1263 should proceed to a Gateway determination. The panel is now the planning proposal authority, while Council retains the opportunity to make a submission during public exhibition.
  The proposal concerns residential flat buildings at 49–59 Hall Street and shop-top housing at 69–71 Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach, with a shared basement and Roscoe Street vehicle access. Council previously opposed it over traffic, site-isolation and streetscape concerns.

Discussion

• The Sydney Plan and housing growth
  Council welcomed the August 2026 regional plan and noted Waverley’s five-year target of 2,400 homes to June 2029, a requirement for at least 30 years of feasible housing capacity, and directions for additional growth in Bondi Junction, Rose Bay, suburban areas, Bronte Road and Bondi Beach. Council also noted a 3,000-dwelling target in the Bondi Junction Master Plan.
  Future planning controls, development capacity, housing supply, infrastructure and neighbourhood character may be affected. Officers must prepare a report on the implications and sequencing of the required work.
• Bondi Beach overnight parking
  Council carried a motion to introduce a 7 pm to 7 am four-hour parking limit for all vehicles in the existing Bondi Beach Parking Area, including vehicles holding beach parking permits, while retaining other signed restrictions.
  The change targets overnight parking in Queen Elizabeth Drive and Park Drive and may affect beach visitors, permit holders and nearby residents.
• Permanent cycleways submission
  Council approved its submission to the City of Sydney on the Review of Environmental Factors for permanent cycleways on Moore Park Road and Fitzroy Street.
  The project could affect cycling connections used by Waverley residents travelling towards Paddington, Surry Hills and the CBD.
• Council financial reporting
  Council noted preliminary 2025–26 budget performance and the July 2026 investment portfolio report. It was advised that year-end financial statements would go to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in August and Council in September 2026.
  These reports provide information about Council’s financial position, investments and end-of-year accountability.
• Samantha Knight 40th anniversary memorial
  Council commemorated Samantha Knight, who disappeared from Bondi on 19 August 1986, and resolved to consult her family about a possible memorial plaque on the Ivy Wall.
  The proposal would create a permanent local place of remembrance, subject to consultation with Samantha’s family.

Impacts

• A new memorial-artwork process will be developed for Archer Park at Bondi Park, with community engagement planned.
• A temporary Sharing Light artwork and workshops are planned for Bondi Pavilion and Archer Park during Chanukah 2026 and the 14 December anniversary period.
• The $5.88 million budget carryover moves previously budgeted funds into 2026–27, but the supplied extract does not identify the individual allocations.
• Housing and planning work may lead to future changes in development capacity and planning controls, particularly in Bondi Junction and Rose Bay.
• The proposed overnight Bondi Beach parking limit would apply to all vehicles, including beach-permit holders.
• The draft Car Share Policy will be open for public comment for 28 days.
• The proposed Rose Bay Secondary College after-hours public-access agreement will not proceed at this stage.
• The Hall Street and Roscoe Street planning proposal will proceed through the state planning process, with Council able to make a submission during exhibition.

Places

• Archer Park, Bondi Park (park/project area)
  Location proposed for the permanent Bondi Park Memorial Artwork and temporary Sharing Light installation.
• Bondi Beach (suburb/beach)
  Site of the memorial project, parking changes, the 2025 attack and planning directions in The Sydney Plan.
• Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach (road/parking area)
  Covered by the proposed 7 pm to 7 am four-hour overnight parking limit.
• Park Drive, Bondi Beach (road/parking area)
  Covered by the proposed overnight parking limit and adjacent to the memorial and park-upgrade area.
• Bondi Junction (centre/precinct)
  Focus of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan and planned housing growth.
• Rose Bay (suburb/centre)
  Identified for housing growth and collaboration with Woollahra Council.
• Rose Bay Secondary College (school/facility)
  Proposed after-hours public access arrangement was declined.
• Hall Street and Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach (development site)
  Subject of planning proposal PP-2025-1263.

Next

• Memorial committee to develop and oversee the artwork process, including consultation, design selection, fabrication and installation.
  Timing to be determined by the committee.
• Council staff to coordinate community engagement and communications for the Bondi memorial and related projects.
  As the project develops.
• Sharing Light artists to hold workshops at Bondi Pavilion and install the temporary artwork across Archer Park.
  Chanukah 2026 and up to 14 December 2026.
• Draft Car Share Policy to be publicly exhibited and feedback invited.
  For 28 days; exact dates are not included in the extract.
• Council and City of Sydney may seek a Transport for NSW briefing and jointly advocate for funding for the Oxford Street cycleway missing link.
  Follow-up action after the meeting.
• Council officers to prepare a report on The Sydney Plan’s implications for Waverley and the sequencing of local strategic-planning work.
  Future report to Council; date not specified.
• Council to consult Samantha Knight’s family about a possible memorial plaque on the Ivy Wall.
  Future consultation; date not specified.
• Year-end 2025–26 financial statements to be reported to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and Council.
  August 2026 and September 2026 respectively.

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 August 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 18 AUGUST 2026 Present: Councillor Will Nemesh (Mayor) (Chair) Hunter Ward Councillor Keri Spooner (Deputy Mayor) Waverley Ward Councillor Ludovico Fabiano Waverley Ward Councillor Dov Frazer Hunter Ward Councillor Steven Lewis Hunter Ward Councillor Paula Masselos Lawson Ward Councillor Margaret Merten Bondi Ward Councillor Joshua Spicer Waverley Ward Councillor Michelle Stephenson Bondi Ward Councillor Lauren Townsend Lawson Ward Councillor Katherine Westwood Lawson Ward Staff in attendance: Emily Scott General Man...