Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee - 10/02/2026

Topics

• Bondi Beach crossing could be painted red and yellow for Surf Life Saving Day
  Council is considering a visible Bondi Beach site activation tied to Surf Life Saving Australia’s inaugural Red and Yellow Day.
  It affects a high-profile beachfront location and publicly recognises local surf life saving volunteers.
• Wairoa Community Centre lease put on exhibition
  Council will publicly exhibit a proposal to lease part of Wairoa Community Centre to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
  The proposal could change how a key North Bondi community facility is used and who benefits from it.
• Clementson Park childcare lease approved for 12 months
  Council approved a short lease for The Grace Child Centre Incorporated at Clementson Park.
  It secures continued use of a community facility in Bondi Junction and may interest local families and facility users.

Decisions

• Support for Surf Life Saving Australia Red and Yellow Day
  Council was asked to write to Surf Life Saving Australia confirming support for the inaugural Red and Yellow Day and to work with the organisation on temporarily painting the pedestrian crossing on Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, in red and yellow.
  Affects Bondi Beach public space and recognises local surf life saving volunteers, with visible site activation in a popular visitor area.
• Australia Day Honours recognition
  Council congratulated Mr George Newhouse AM on his Australia Day honour.
  Ceremonial recognition only; no direct service or policy impact.
• Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee minutes noted
  Council noted the minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting held on 16 October 2025.
  Governance oversight item with no immediate change for residents.
• ALGA National General Assembly 2026 attendance
  Council nominated several councillors to attend the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra and appointed voting and reserve delegates.
  Represents Council advocacy and networking at a national local government forum.
• Waverley Art Prize 40th anniversary program noted
  Council noted the program for the 40th anniversary of the Waverley Art Prize in 2026.
  Supports a local arts milestone and community cultural programming.
• Wairoa Community Centre lease exhibition
  Council agreed to publicly notify and exhibit for 28 days a proposed lease of part of Wairoa Community Centre to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, and authorised negotiation of lease terms pending submissions.
  Could affect community centre use in North Bondi and future local health service access.
• Clementson Park lease to Grace Child Centre
  Council approved a 12-month lease for The Grace Child Centre Incorporated at Clementson Park and authorised execution of the documents.
  Maintains early childhood/community facility use at Clementson Park in Bondi Junction.

Discussion

• Volunteering and community recognition
  The committee considered support for Surf Life Saving Australia’s Red and Yellow Day, including a temporary colour-based crossing treatment at Bondi Beach and recognition of surf life saving volunteers.
  Highlights a community-facing activation at Bondi Beach and acknowledgement of volunteer service.
• Governance and external representation
  The committee dealt with attendance and delegate arrangements for the 2026 ALGA National General Assembly in Canberra.
  Shapes Council’s advocacy on local government issues at a national level.
• Property and lease management
  Two lease matters were progressed: exhibition of a proposed lease at Wairoa Community Centre to a health district, and approval of a short lease for Grace Child Centre at Clementson Park.
  These decisions affect how community facilities are used and who can access them.

Impacts

• Potential temporary colour treatment and increased visibility at the Queen Elizabeth Drive crossing near Bondi Beach Park.
• Possible change in use or occupancy arrangements at Wairoa Community Centre, North Bondi, after public exhibition.
• Continuation of childcare/community facility use at Clementson Park, Bondi Junction.
• Council representation at a national local government conference may influence future advocacy on resident services and funding.

Places

• Bondi Beach (locality)
  Site of the proposed Red and Yellow Day activation and pedestrian crossing treatment.
• Queen Elizabeth Drive (road)
  Location of the proposed temporary red and yellow pedestrian crossing.
• Bondi Beach Park (park)
  Adjacent to the proposed pedestrian crossing site.
• Wairoa Community Centre (community centre)
  Proposed lease area for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
• 2B Brighton Boulevard, North Bondi (address)
  Location of the Wairoa Community Centre lease proposal.
• Clementson Park (park)
  Site of the 12-month lease to The Grace Child Centre Incorporated.
• Newland Street, Bondi Junction (street)
  Associated with the Clementson Park lease matter.
• Canberra (city)
  Venue for the 2026 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly.

Next

• Write to Surf Life Saving Australia confirming Council support for Red and Yellow Day
  As soon as practicable
• Officers to work with Surf Life Saving Australia on the temporary red and yellow pedestrian crossing at Queen Elizabeth Drive
  Before implementation, subject to operational arrangements
• Publicly notify and exhibit the proposed Wairoa Community Centre lease for 28 days
  Immediately following the meeting decision
• Officers to report back to Council after the exhibition period on the Wairoa Community Centre lease and any submissions received
  After the 28-day exhibition period
• Complete lease negotiations and documentation for The Grace Child Centre Incorporated at Clementson Park
  Following Council approval

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee meeting held on 10 February 2026 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE, OPERATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2026 Present: Councillor Katherine Westwood (Chair) Lawson Ward Councillor Will Nemesh (Mayor) 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 War...