Extraordinary Council - 15/01/2026

Topics

• Council backs interim Bondi Beach memorial response after terror attack
  Council moved to provide temporary commemorative measures at Bondi Beach while the NSW Government leads the permanent memorial process.
  Residents and visitors will see immediate public commemoration activity, including art panels and an exhibition, at one of the area’s most prominent public places.
• Council seeks report on Bondi Park bridge replacement or restoration
  A structural report flagged both heritage-listed pedestrian bridges across Park Drive as nearing the end of their useful life, prompting a request for a further report on costs and approvals.
  The outcome could affect pedestrian access, heritage treatment and future construction activity around Bondi Park.

Decisions

• Royal Commission and community response to antisemitism and the Bondi Beach attack
  Council acknowledged community support for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and the events linked to the 14 December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack, and supported a package of interim commemoration and response measures including Bondi Beach Sea Wall mural panels, a reflective exhibition at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery with Shalom Collective, and further work on heritage bridge replacement/restoration costs and approvals.
  Affects how the community is publicly commemorating the attack, including use of Bondi Beach spaces and future infrastructure decisions at Park Drive in Bondi Park.
• Media access procedural motion carried
  Council approved a procedural motion allowing the media to film the meeting in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice.
  Improves transparency and public access to council proceedings.
• Leave of absence motion lost
  A motion to grant Cr Wy Kanak a leave of absence from the meeting was put and declared lost.
  No direct service impact for residents.

Discussion

• Permanent memorial and interim commemoration at Bondi Beach
  Council noted that the NSW Government will lead the permanent memorial process, while Council will provide a more immediate interim commemoration response through an expression of interest process for Bondi Beach Sea Wall access and artistic panels.
  Residents can expect temporary public art and memorial activity at Bondi Beach while longer-term plans are developed.
• Bondi Park heritage pedestrian bridges
  Council noted a 2024 structural recommendations report saying the north and south heritage-listed pedestrian bridges across Park Drive in Bondi Park are nearing end of life and require replacement within several years. Officers were asked to report back on cost, timetable and approvals for replacement and/or restoration.
  Future access, safety and construction activity may affect Bondi Park and surrounding pedestrians.
• Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery exhibition
  Council asked officers to curate a reflective visual arts exhibition in Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery in collaboration with Shalom Collective and local creatives.
  Creates a public-facing cultural program in Bondi Junction/Bondi area connected to community healing and remembrance.

Impacts

• Temporary commemorative art and exhibition activity will appear at Bondi Beach and Bondi Pavilion.
• Further council reports may lead to bridge replacement or restoration works in Bondi Park.
• The meeting signalled continued council involvement in community responses to antisemitism and the Bondi Beach tragedy.

Places

• Bondi Beach (beach/promenade)
  Site for interim memorial response, mural panels and community commemoration.
• Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery (community arts venue)
  Proposed location for a reflective exhibition.
• Bondi Park (park)
  Area where heritage pedestrian bridges may need replacement or restoration.
• Park Drive (road)
  Location of the north and south pedestrian bridges referenced in the structural report.
• Dover Heights (suburb)
  Source location of a Chanukiah that was relocated to Bondi Park.
• Bondi Junction (suburb)
  Meeting venue at The Boot Factory.

Next

• Officers to prepare a report on the cost, timetable and approvals for replacement and/or restoration of the Bondi Park heritage pedestrian bridges
  Future report to Council; timing not stated
• Officers to progress a select expression of interest process for Bondi Beach Sea Wall mural panels
  Interim arrangement; timing not stated
• Officers to curate a reflective visual arts exhibition at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery with Shalom Collective
  Timing not stated
• NSW Government to lead the permanent memorial process for Bondi Beach and Park
  Ongoing

Extract

This is of the minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting held on 15 January 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON THURSDAY, 15 JANUARY 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 atte...