Council - 21/07/2026

Topics

• Bondi Junction master plan adopted after divided council vote, with rescission bid pending
  Council adopts the amended Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan despite a tied division and immediate plans for a rescission debate.
  The plan could shape future development, transport, public spaces and planning controls in Bondi Junction, while its immediate status remains politically contested.
• Eora Park memorial garden concept approved for Bondi Junction tragedy victims and survivors
  Council approves a memorial garden concept at Eora Park for victims and survivors of the 13 April 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction tragedy.
  The decision establishes the next stage for a permanent public memorial and is likely to be significant to affected families, survivors and the wider community.
• Bondi Junction entertainment precinct receives second-round kickstart grant support
  Council records progress on the Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct, with a further update linked to the precinct’s grant program.
  Grant support may affect local nightlife, hospitality businesses and the precinct’s ongoing activation, but the available extract does not identify the funding recipients.

Decisions

• Bondi Junction master plan adopted
  Adopted the amended Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan, noting consultation outcomes and the need for further technical studies. A rescission motion is to be considered on 27 July 2026.
  The plan could shape development and infrastructure planning in Bondi Junction.
• Eora Park memorial approved
  Approved the concept design for a memorial garden at Eora Park for victims and survivors of the 13 April 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction tragedy.
  Provides a formal pathway for a permanent public memorial.
• Community and cultural grants approved
  Approved $322,928 in 2026–27 community services and cultural grants.
  Provides funding to local organisations and community programs.
• Meeting practice and committee structure changed
  Adopted amended meeting practice arrangements, including Council control over expulsions, committee briefing papers from August 2026 and disestablishment of two review committees.
  Changes how Council meetings operate and how the public and councillors engage with committee business.
• Stormwater resolution and resident communication
  Committed to resolving the Penkivil Street and Bondi Road stormwater issue with relevant authorities and requested a progress report and resident communication plan.
  Creates follow-up action on a long-standing local drainage problem.
• Coastal walk accessibility commitment
  Committed to the long-term goal of end-to-end accessibility on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk.
  Sets an accessibility objective for one of Waverley’s major public assets.
• Borrowing policy to be developed
  Directed officers to develop a standalone Borrowing Policy covering debt ceilings, capital-only borrowing and sustainable repayments.
  Will establish safeguards for future Council borrowing.
• Outdoor dining policy review
  Resolved to update the Footpath Seating Policy to support standing consumption in approved outdoor dining areas, subject to safeguards, legal advice and public exhibition.
  May change how hospitality businesses use footpaths while protecting pedestrian access and safety.

Discussion

• Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan
  The Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan was adopted after a tied vote. A rescission motion is scheduled for an extraordinary Council meeting on 27 July 2026, and an alternative motion to defer the plan was defeated.
  The plan may influence development capacity, transport, public spaces and future planning controls in Bondi Junction.
• Bondi Junction tragedy memorial
  Council approved the Eora Park memorial garden concept for victims and survivors of the Westfield Bondi Junction tragedy.
  This establishes the next stage for a permanent memorial in a prominent public park.
• Community and cultural grants
  Council granted $322,928 under the 2026–27 Community Services and Cultural Grants Program.
  Community and cultural organisations will receive Council funding, although recipient details are not in the supplied extract.
• Code of Meeting Practice changes
  Council changed meeting arrangements, including committee briefing papers from August 2026 and disestablishment of the Strategic Property Review Committee and Capital Works Review Committee.
  The changes affect public scrutiny, committee processes and meeting conduct.
• Penkivil Street stormwater drainage
  Council committed to prioritising resolution of stormwater ponding at Penkivil Street and Bondi Road and to notify affected residents once works are confirmed.
  Residents have experienced persistent nuisance from the drainage problem.
• Coastal walk accessibility
  Council committed to improving accessibility along the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk and incorporating the goal into the Coastal Parks Plan of Management.
  People with disability, older residents and people with limited mobility currently cannot access all sections of the walk.
• Borrowing policy
  Council will prepare a borrowing policy addressing debt limits, capital financing and repayment sustainability.
  Future borrowing decisions could affect Council’s finances and the delivery of major infrastructure.
• Aquatic facility access
  Council will review community access to privately owned aquatic facilities across Waverley.
  The review may identify ways to improve swimming access in an area without a council-operated aquatic centre.

Impacts

• Bondi Junction’s future development and infrastructure planning may proceed under the adopted master plan, although a rescission motion will be considered on 27 July 2026.
• A memorial garden concept at Eora Park was approved for victims and survivors of the 2024 Bondi Junction tragedy.
• Residents affected by stormwater ponding at Penkivil Street and Bondi Road are to receive updates once rectification arrangements are confirmed.
• People with disability, older residents and people with limited mobility are the focus of a long-term accessibility commitment for the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk.
• Community and cultural organisations will receive a total of $322,928 under the 2026–27 grants program.
• Meeting and committee processes will change from August 2026, including new briefing-paper arrangements and the closure of two review committees.
• A future borrowing policy may set debt and repayment safeguards for Council capital works.
• Potential outdoor dining policy changes may allow standing consumption in approved areas, subject to public exhibition and safety controls.

Places

• Waverley (local government area)
  Local government area and council meeting venue
• Bondi Junction (suburb/project area)
  Planning vision and master plan; memorial and entertainment precinct matters
• Eora Park (park)
  Memorial garden location for victims and survivors of the 2024 tragedy
• Penkivil Street (road)
  Stormwater ponding issue at the corner of Penkivil Street and Bondi Road
• Bondi Road, Bondi (road)
  Stormwater ponding issue at the corner of Penkivil Street and Penkivil Street
• Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk (coastal facility)
  Coastal walk accessibility project
• Spring Street, Bondi Junction (road)
  Council meeting location and Bondi Junction planning area
• Waverley local government area (service area)
  Local aquatic facility access review

Next

• Consider the submitted rescission motion on the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan at an extraordinary Council meeting.
  27 July 2026
• Provide councillors with a schedule of non-typographical amendments made to the exhibited Bondi Junction draft plan.
  By 31 July 2026
• Begin considering briefing papers at the Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee and Strategic Planning and Development Committee.
  From August 2026
• Prepare a report on progress, scope and timing for Penkivil Street and Bondi Road stormwater rectification, then notify affected residents once a plan is confirmed.
  Timing not specified
• Develop a draft standalone Borrowing Policy and report it to Council.
  Timing not specified
• Prepare an aquatic facilities access report covering public and commercial access and improvement options.
  Timing not specified
• Prepare and publicly exhibit amendments to the Footpath Seating Policy and Guidelines, including legal advice on existing permits.
  Timing not specified
• Reflect the long-term accessibility goal in the Coastal Parks Plan of Management before its adoption.
  Before adoption of the plan

Extract

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