Strategic Planning and Development Committee - 01/09/2026

Topics

• Bondi Junction CID put on hold after business opposition
  Council has ruled that a Community Improvement District for Bondi Junction is not feasible or widely supported at present.
  The decision removes an immediate prospect of a new local improvement district while leaving the broader statutory scheme in place across Waverley.
• Short-term rental review pushed to October Council meeting
  Council deferred its review of short-term rental accommodation impacts, extending uncertainty for hosts, neighbours and local regulators.
  The eventual review could affect how short-term rentals are understood or managed in the local area, but no policy change was made yet.
• Council reworks development contribution settings, including Bondi Beach
  A unanimous decision calls for further consideration of proposed 7.12 development contribution rates and thresholds, including whether Bondi Beach should be included in a proposed 4% setting.
  The eventual settings could influence development costs and the infrastructure funding generated from new development.

Decisions

• Community Improvement Districts
  Council noted that the Waverley local government area has been gazetted under the Community Improvement Districts Act 2025. It also noted that a Bondi Junction CID is not widely supported by local businesses and is not feasible at this time. Information about CIDs will be published on Council’s website.
  Residents and businesses in Bondi Junction will not see a CID established at this time, and Council will provide public information about the scheme.
• Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group
  Council noted changes to the working group and appointed 13 members through July 2028. The attachment containing commercial information was treated as confidential. Cr Wy Kanak’s vote against the motion was recorded.
  The working group will continue advising on the Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct, which may affect local nightlife, trading and amenity issues.
• Short-term rental accommodation review deferred
  Council deferred the Short-Term Rental Accommodation – Impacts and Review item to the October Council meeting. Cr Wy Kanak’s vote against the deferral was recorded.
  Residents and short-term rental operators will need to wait until October for Council consideration of the review and any potential policy response.
• Comprehensive Contributions Review
  Council unanimously noted a briefing paper, subject to reviewing the proposed inclusion of Bondi Beach in a 7.12 contribution rate of 4% and reconsidering a significantly higher threshold for a proposed 7.12 rate of 3%, which would also affect the 2% bracket. An amendment concerning infrastructure funding for future extreme climate change emergencies lapsed.
  The review may affect future development contributions and infrastructure funding associated with development, including in Bondi Beach.

Discussion

• Bondi Junction Community Improvement District
  Local business feedback indicated that a CID in Bondi Junction is not widely supported or feasible at present. Council will publish information about CIDs and the Waverley LGA gazettal.
  Businesses and residents have clarity that no Bondi Junction CID is proceeding at this stage.
• Special Entertainment Precinct governance
  A revised working group was appointed until July 2028 to support the Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct.
  The group’s future work may influence how entertainment activity and local amenity are managed in Bondi Junction.
• Short-term rental accommodation
  Council postponed consideration of the impacts and review report until the October Council meeting.
  Any possible changes affecting hosts, guests, neighbours or enforcement remain unresolved until the October meeting.
• Development contributions
  Council requested further consideration of proposed 7.12 contribution settings, including the possible treatment of Bondi Beach and thresholds for the 3% and 2% brackets.
  Changes to contribution settings could affect development costs and the funding available for public infrastructure.

Impacts

• No Bondi Junction Community Improvement District will proceed at this stage based on the recorded business feedback and feasibility assessment.
• The short-term rental accommodation review has been delayed until the October Council meeting.
• Future development contribution settings, including possible changes affecting Bondi Beach, remain under review.
• The Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group will operate with newly appointed members until July 2028.

Places

• Bondi Junction (suburb and precinct)
  Location of the proposed Community Improvement District and the Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group.
• Bondi Beach (suburb)
  Identified for further review in relation to proposed 7.12 development contribution settings.
• Waverley local government area (local government area)
  Gazetted as an area subject to the Community Improvement Districts Act 2025.
• The Boot Factory, Spring Street, Bondi Junction (meeting venue)
  Venue stated in the minutes; no direct service or project impact identified.

Next

• Publish information about Community Improvement Districts and the Waverley LGA gazettal on Council’s website.
  Future publication; no specific date stated.
• Reconsider the Short-Term Rental Accommodation – Impacts and Review item.
  October 2026 Council meeting.
• Continue reviewing proposed 7.12 development contribution settings, including Bondi Beach, the 3% threshold and its effect on the 2% bracket.
  No specific date stated.
• Operate the revised Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group.
  Appointments run until July 2028.

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting held on 1 September 2026 MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Present: Councillor Michelle Stephenson (Chair) Bondi 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 Lauren Townsend Lawson Ward Councillor Kather...