Council - 21/04/2026

Key decisions

• Draft 2026–27 budget, fees and long-term financial plan exhibited
  Council agreed to publicly exhibit the draft Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges 2026–27, draft Budget 2026–27 and draft Long Term Financial Plan for 28 days. It also brought forward $200,000 for the Bondi Road Streetscape Master Plan.
  Residents and businesses can review and comment on proposed fees, budget priorities and long-term spending plans.
• Council Chambers borrowing decision deferred
  Council deferred consideration of borrowing $17.45 million for redevelopment of the Council Chambers site until August 2026, pending a report on the future of the site in the context of the Bondi Junction Master Plan.
  This delays a major borrowing decision and links the site’s future to broader Bondi Junction planning.
• Draft Operational Plan 2026–27 exhibited
  Council approved public exhibition for 28 days of the draft Operational Plan 2026–27, including the budget, statement of revenue policy and 2026–27 rating structure, with a follow-up report after exhibition.
  This sets out Council services, spending and rates proposals for the coming year.
• Co-hosting antisemitism and social cohesion summit
  Council resolved to co-host the National Local Government Summit on Social Cohesion and Antisemitism on 26–27 November 2026 with CAM Australia, governments and the Special Envoy, with in-kind staff support only and no direct financial contribution.
  This commits Council to a public leadership role on social cohesion and antisemitism without direct event funding.
• Landslip remediation priorities approved
  Council approved a prioritised program for coastal landslip remediation including North Bronte Park, Rodney Reserve and South Bondi, and allocated $420,000 in a 2025–26 budget adjustment to begin the North Bronte Park cliff collapse works.
  This affects public safety, access and infrastructure protection in coastal and cliff areas.
• North Bondi village and bus terminus concept design approved
  Council approved the concept design for the North Bondi Shops and Bus Terminus Upgrade and authorised progression to detailed design, including footpath treatments, slab renewal, landscaping and line marking.
  Residents, bus users and traders in North Bondi can expect staged streetscape and access improvements.
• ANZAC Day 2026 event funding approved
  Council approved an ANZAC Day 2026 event in Bondi with attendance by invitation and open to the public, with ticket costs structured as donations to the Unite for Bondi – Bondi Terror Attack Appeal, and allocated up to $160,000 for delivery.
  This funds a significant public commemorative event and links participation to a local appeal.
• Precinct governance documents adopted
  Council adopted a new Precinct Policy and Procedures and a Code of Practice for Precincts.
  This changes how local precinct groups operate and engage with Council.

Important topics

• Fuel shortage planning
  Council noted that its Crisis Management Team began fuel crisis planning and scenario modelling in March 2026 to protect critical services and will advocate to the NSW Government for temporary use of the Domestic Waste Charge to offset impacts on general operations.
  This is aimed at maintaining waste and other essential Council services if fuel supplies are disrupted.
• Inbound donations and philanthropic partnerships policy
  A draft policy was placed on exhibition for 28 days, with investigation into broader deductible gift recipient options and a more user-friendly donation process. A further report is due in July.
  This could expand how community projects and services attract donations and philanthropic support.
• Parklet policy exhibition
  Council placed the draft Parklet Policy on public exhibition for 28 days and will receive a report by July.
  This may affect future outdoor dining, streetscape activation and use of parking spaces in local centres.
• Strata parking enforcement framework
  Council invited expressions of interest from owners corporations for an on-demand strata parking management scheme and placed draft guidelines on exhibition for 42 days.
  Apartment owners and strata schemes may gain a new option for managing parking misuse on private strata land.
• Bronte House community access
  Council noted current works at Bronte House, requested a report on upgrades needed for community access, and will seek proposals for a tearoom service and future programming.
  This could improve public access and amenities at a significant local heritage property.
• Six Ways Bondi Beach streetscape options
  Council approved public exhibition of design options for the O’Brien Street, Hall Street and Glenayr Avenue intersection, including trees, garden beds, upgraded crossings and outdoor dining opportunities.
  Residents and businesses can comment on possible safety and public domain changes in a busy Bondi Beach area.
• Signage and plaques guideline
  Council endorsed a governance framework for signage and plaques in public places and confirmed that private memorials will continue not to be permitted on public land.
  This clarifies how commemorations are handled in parks, streets and other public places.
• Online civics program for young people
  Council approved design and development of an online local government civics education program for young people.
  This may improve youth understanding of local government and civic participation.

Resident impacts

• Residents will be able to comment on the draft 2026–27 budget, fees, rates and operational plan during exhibition periods.
• Coastal safety and access works will proceed first at North Bronte Park, with other landslip sites prioritised after that.
• Bondi Road, North Bondi and Six Ways Bondi Beach are all subject to planned streetscape or design work with likely future changes to pedestrian areas and public amenity.
• Apartment owners corporations may be able to join a future strata parking enforcement scheme after the EOI and exhibition process.
• Bronte House may see improved public access, facilities and programming after further reporting and an EOI for tearoom operations.
• Council has delayed any major loan decision for the Council Chambers redevelopment until at least August 2026.

Places affected

• Bondi Junction (centre/suburb)
  Council Chambers redevelopment decision deferred in connection with the Bondi Junction Master Plan; footpath rectification and budget planning also affect the area.
• Bondi Road (road/corridor)
  Funding was brought forward for the Bondi Road Streetscape Master Plan.
• North Bronte Park (park/coastal site)
  Top-priority cliff collapse remediation works approved, with immediate funding allocated.
• Rodney Reserve (reserve)
  Included in the landslip remediation priority program.
• South Bondi (coastal area)
  Included in the landslip and footpath remediation priority program.
• North Bondi (suburb/local centre)
  Concept design approved for the shops and bus terminus upgrade; surf club lease item also noted.
• Bondi Beach (locality)
  Six Ways intersection design options to be publicly exhibited; ANZAC event location referenced as Bondi.
• Bronte House (heritage facility)
  Works, future access upgrades, tearoom EOI and community programming were considered.

Next steps

• Public exhibition of the draft Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges 2026–27, Budget 2026–27 and Long Term Financial Plan
  28 days following the meeting
• Report to Council on the future of the Council Chambers site in the context of the Bondi Junction Master Plan
  August 2026
• Public exhibition of the draft Operational Plan 2026–27 and rating structure, followed by an officer report
  28-day exhibition, then report back after exhibition
• Report to Council on the Inbound Donations and Philanthropic Partnerships Policy and related investigations
  July 2026
• Report to Council on the draft Parklet Policy after exhibition
  No later than July 2026
• Report to Council on the outcome of the strata parking EOI and exhibition, including resourcing needs
  After the 42-day exhibition and EOI process
• Detailed design to proceed for the North Bondi Shops and Bus Terminus Upgrade
  Next project stage
• Further report on Sydney Roosters community partnership agreement for the 2026–27 season
  By April 2027

Extracted minutes text

Minutes of Council Meeting 21 April 2026 This is of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 April 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 21 APRIL 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 Counc...