Bondi Beach 4% development contribution rate sent back for review

Waverley Council has ordered further review of a proposed 4% 7.12 development contribution rate for Bondi Beach, while reconsidering the threshold for a proposed 3% rate that would also affect the 2% bracket.

Councillors unanimously noted the Comprehensive Contributions Review briefing paper subject to two changes in scrutiny: reviewing Bondi Beach’s proposed inclusion in the 4% rate, and reconsidering a significantly higher threshold for the proposed 3% rate.

No new contribution rates were adopted. The treatment of Bondi Beach and the thresholds for the proposed 3% and 2% brackets remain unresolved.

The review covers development contributions and infrastructure funding associated with development in the Waverley local government area. The recorded decision does not specify which developments would be affected or when the proposed settings will return for consideration.

Cr Wy Kanak moved an amendment to add infrastructure funding that takes account of “future potential emergencies due to extreme climate change events”. The amendment lapsed and was not included in the unanimous decision.

The contribution review was considered by the Strategic Planning and Development Committee on 1 September, alongside other planning matters. The committee also deferred its Short-Term Rental Accommodation - Impacts and Review item to the October Council meeting, a separate matter from the contribution settings.

The next step is further review of the proposed 7.12 settings, including Bondi Beach, the 3% threshold and its effect on the 2% bracket. No specific date was recorded for the next consideration.

The committee’s other decisions included noting that the Waverley local government area had been gazetted under the Community Improvement Districts Act 2025. A Community Improvement District in Bondi Junction was not widely supported by local businesses and was not considered feasible at this time.

Council also appointed 14 members to the Bondi Junction Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group until July 2028. Cr Wy Kanak’s vote against that motion and against the short-term rental deferral was recorded.