Council - 20/10/2026

Topics

• Bondi Junction plan reshaped after 830 submissions and 470 surveys
  Council has amended the draft Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan to add further height and shadow modelling, a bike-path proposal, pocket parks, stronger sustainability rules and affordable-housing objectives.
  The changes could influence development scale, traffic, parking, open space, housing affordability and climate resilience in a major growth centre.
• Council backs $57,620 in community grants
  Waverley Council approved the first round of its 2026–27 Small Grants Program.
  Community organisations and local initiatives will receive Council funding, subject to program conditions.
• Bondi Beach development to contribute $144,936 to public works
  A planning agreement for 34 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, will direct a $144,936 monetary contribution to works in the Bondi Park, Beach and Pavilion plan.
  The agreement links a private development to funding for public coastal and recreation assets.

Decisions

• Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan amended
  Council adopted amendments responding to 830 written submissions and 470 survey responses. Changes include further modelling of building heights and shadows, a Waverley Street bike path with tree planting, pocket parks at Grey Street, stronger sustainability requirements, consideration of 10% affordable housing subject to economic analysis, and further review of traffic, parking, connectivity and development transitions. Officers will report in December 2026. A rescission motion is listed for 17 November 2026.
  Residents will see further changes to the proposed future shape, transport, open space, housing and sustainability settings for Bondi Junction, with further public consideration still expected.
• Councillor Committee established
  Council established an all-Councillor committee to provide information, background briefings and periodic updates. It has no delegation or decision-making power, and additional briefings may be held as needed.
  The committee changes how councillors receive information but does not itself make decisions.
• Small Grants Program funding approved
  Council approved $57,620 for individuals and organisations under the 2026–27 Round 1 Small Grants Program, subject to the report conditions.
  Successful community projects will receive Council funding, although the extracted minutes do not list all recipients.
• Artificial Intelligence Policy adopted
  Council adopted the Artificial Intelligence Policy attached to the report.
  The policy establishes Council’s formal approach to using artificial intelligence in its operations and services.
• Planning agreement approved for 34 Hall Street, Bondi Beach
  Council approved a draft planning agreement providing a total monetary contribution of $144,936 for works identified in the Bondi Park, Beach and Pavilion Plan of Management and authorised the General Manager to execute it.
  The development will contribute funding towards planned public works at Bondi Park, the beach and pavilion.
• Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct expansion supported
  Council supported expanding the precinct to include Easts League Club, Club Bondi Junction (RSL) and The Grand Hotel, subject to approval by the Office of the NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. Officers will investigate whether all hotels and licensed venues in the area should be included and report back.
  The decision may affect late-night trading, venue management and the local night-time economy in Bondi Junction.
• Roosters recognition and celebration approved
  Council approved a Key to the City for the Sydney Roosters, a temporary premiership mural at Bondi Beach and further work on community celebrations. Officers will report on extending the Council partnership, banner infrastructure and a possible live viewing site at Bondi Beach.
  Residents may see further public celebrations, temporary installations and event activity at Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach.
• Remaining business deferred
  At 11.42 pm, because of the lateness of the hour, the Chair deferred all remaining items to the Council meeting on 17 November 2026.
  Any unresolved items from the meeting will not be decided until the November meeting.

Discussion

• Housing and planning strategy
  Council supported work to align Bondi Junction planning with community feedback, housing targets and sustainability objectives. It also supported investigation of affordable-housing controls used by Woollahra and the City of Sydney, with a report and planning proposal due by the November meeting.
  Future planning controls could affect housing supply, density, affordability and development across the Waverley local government area.
• Edgecliff-Woollahra state-led rezoning
  Council approved its submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on the Edgecliff-Woollahra Precinct State-Led Rezoning Proposal.
  The rezoning is adjacent to Waverley and may influence future housing, transport and infrastructure pressures in nearby areas.
• Public school capacity in Bondi Junction
  Council noted planned housing growth in Bondi Junction, Edgecliff and Woollahra and requested updated demand and capacity modelling from the NSW Department of Education. The modelling had not yet been provided. Council will advocate for consideration of a vertical public high school and noted the strategic review of 65 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction.
  School capacity and the future of the Spotlight site may affect families, students and residents facing increased development.
• Council payment card surcharges and local businesses
  The minutes include a request for a report on the financial effect of card-network changes, including the cost to Council of absorbing processing fees, impacts on cash flow and revenue, and consequences for small businesses, hospitality operators and other businesses that previously used surcharges.
  The issue could affect Council’s operating costs, ratepayer costs and transaction costs for local businesses, but the extracted material does not show the final resolution or timing.
• Housing Advisory Committee
  Council adopted terms of reference for a Housing Advisory Committee, appointed an initial councillor chair and invited expressions of interest for up to six expert members and two community representatives.
  The committee is intended to bring specialist and community input into local housing, planning, design and sustainability policy.
• Audited financial statements
  Council noted the audited 2025–26 financial statements and auditor’s report and referred any public submissions to the auditor as required by the Local Government Act.
  The statements provide public oversight of Council’s financial position and performance.
• Native forest advocacy motion lost
  A motion seeking Local Government NSW support for ending logging in NSW native forests and establishing the proposed Great Southern Forest National Park was defeated.
  Council will not submit this advocacy motion to the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference.

Impacts

• Future development and public-realm planning in Bondi Junction will be revised in response to substantial community feedback, with further modelling and reporting due.
• A $57,620 community grants allocation was approved for the 2026–27 first round.
• A $144,936 planning-agreement contribution will support works identified for Bondi Park, the beach and pavilion.
• Late-night venue boundaries in Bondi Junction may expand if state approval is granted.
• A possible vertical public high school remains an advocacy and investigation issue rather than an approved project.
• Unresolved meeting items were deferred to 17 November 2026.

Places

• Bondi Junction (suburb and planning area)
  Subject of the Vision and Master Plan, proposed special entertainment precinct changes, housing growth planning and school-capacity advocacy.
• Bondi Beach (suburb and coastal precinct)
  Location of 34 Hall Street planning agreement works, Bondi Pavilion and proposed Roosters celebration activity.
• Waverley Street (road and cycling project area)
  Proposed short-term bike-path design with integrated tree planting connecting to Waverley Park and Bondi Road.
• Grey Street (street and open-space project area)
  Proposed location for pocket parks.
• 65 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction (property)
  Spotlight site being considered as part of Council’s strategic property priorities and school-capacity discussion.
• Edgecliff-Woollahra Precinct (state-led rezoning area)
  Adjacent rezoning proposal considered in Council’s submission.
• Bronte Road and Spring Street (roads and event areas)
  Previously used for Sydney Roosters after-match street closures.
• Waverley local government area (local government area)
  Area covered by housing, planning, sustainability and local-government policy decisions.

Next

• Officers report on incorporation of Bondi Junction Master Plan refinements and detailed modelling.
  December 2026 Council meeting
• Consider the submitted rescission motion concerning the Bondi Junction Master Plan.
  17 November 2026 Council meeting
• Report on the outcome of the proposed Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct expansion and investigate inclusion of other hotels and licensed venues.
  Future Council meeting; no date stated
• Prepare a report on housing-control lessons from Woollahra and City of Sydney councils and a planning proposal for well-located dwelling density.
  November 2026 Council meeting
• Seek updated school-demand and capacity modelling and continue advocacy for future public secondary-school capacity.
  Timing not stated
• Invite applications for expert and community members of the Housing Advisory Committee.
  Expressions of interest open for 28 days
• Prepare a report on extending the Sydney Roosters partnership, banner infrastructure and a possible Bondi Beach live viewing site.
  Future Council meeting; no date stated
• Consider deferred items.
  17 November 2026 Council meeting

Extract

Minutes of Council Meeting 20 October 2026 This is of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 October 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2026 Present: Councillor Steven Lewis (Mayor) (Chair) Hunter Ward Councillor Keri Spooner (Deputy Mayor) Waverley Ward Councillor Ludovico Fabiano Waverley Ward Councillor Dov Frazer Hunter Ward Councillor Paula Masselos Lawson Ward Councillor Margaret Merten Bondi Ward Councillor Will Nemesh Hunter Ward Councillor Joshua Spicer Waverley Ward Councillor Michelle Stephenson Bondi Ward Councillor Lauren Townsend Lawson Ward Councillor Katherine Westwood Lawson Ward...