planning · Waverley Council
Bondi Junction keeps 3,000-home target after lower-height plan lapses
A failed alternative would have cut Bondi Junction’s targeted housing growth from 3,000 to 2,400 dwellings, lowered Oxford Street Mall heights and expanded the proposed plaza.
A bid to cut Bondi Junction’s targeted housing growth from 3,000 to 2,400 dwellings has failed, leaving Waverley Council’s adopted vision and master plan in place for the centre.
The unsuccessful alternative also sought lower building heights at Oxford Street Mall, a larger Oxford Street Plaza and reductions in several other growth areas.
At Oxford Street Mall, the proposal would have reduced mixed-use buildings from 25 - 30 storeys, or 84 - 100 metres, to 17 - 23 storeys, or 60 - 78 metres. It would have increased the proposed plaza from 1,500 square metres to 2,000 square metres.
In the Civic Precinct, the proposal called for an eight-storey, 32-metre residential limit in the block north of Clementson Park, bounded by Eberley Street, Denison Street, Spring Street and Newland Street. The draft plan allows 15 - 18 storeys, or 52 - 62 metres, in that area.
The proposed changes also included removing a height-uplift reference for West Oxford Street Village, cutting Bondi Road East Gateway residential heights from 10 - 12 storeys, or 36 - 43 metres, to 7 - 10 storeys, or 28 - 36 metres, and removing references to a “ring road”.
Councillors first rejected a rescission motion seeking to overturn the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan adopted on 21 July. The alternative plan then lapsed and was not put to a vote.
The rescission vote was tied, with six councillors in favour and six against. Steven Lewis and Dominic Wy Kanak declared less than significant non-pecuniary interests. Lewis said he owns property in Spring Street, Bondi Junction, while Wy Kanak said he leases property in Bondi Junction.
Council reaffirmed its commitment to the Bondi Junction Master Plan as the framework for guiding growth. The stated policy supports housing in a well-connected centre close to jobs, public transport and existing infrastructure. No specific deadline was stated for continuing work on the plan.
Reference minutes
Waverley Council, Extraordinary Council meeting held on 27 July 2026 and reconvened on 4 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan adopted on 21 July remains in place.
- A proposed alternative would have cut targeted additional dwellings from 3,000 to 2,400.
- Oxford Street Mall heights would have fallen from 25 - 30 storeys to 17 - 23 storeys under the unsuccessful proposal.
- The proposed Oxford Street Plaza would have increased from 1,500 square metres to 2,000 square metres.
- The rescission motion was lost on a recorded division, with six councillors for and six against.
- Cr Steven Lewis disclosed property ownership in Spring Street, while Cr Dominic Wy Kanak disclosed that he leases property in Bondi Junction.
Why it matters
- The adopted Bondi Junction plan remains the current framework. The proposed lower housing target, reduced building heights and larger Oxford Street Plaza do not apply.