Waverley blocks Flood Street Bondi planning proposal

Waverley Council has rejected a planning proposal for 34-36 Flood Street, Bondi, stopping it from proceeding to Gateway Determination at this stage.

At its 10 March Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting, the council said it did not support the proposal because it failed to demonstrate strategic or site-specific merit. The minutes list several reasons, including precedent risks for other small isolated sites, pressure on existing infrastructure, inconsistency with the Bondi Junction Master Plan boundary, excessive height and floor space compared with the surrounding R3 zone, impacts on neighbourhood character and amenity, and likely effects on traffic and on-street parking.

For nearby residents, the decision means there is no immediate rezoning uplift for the site. The committee's stated concerns also centred on local impacts, particularly added pressure on the traffic network, on-street parking and the scale of development relative to surrounding properties and the public domain.

The minutes show the site was considered outside the Bondi Junction Master Plan boundary. Councillors also found the proposed building height and floor space ratio were significantly greater than those applying in the surrounding area.

The committee left open a further step if the applicant succeeds elsewhere. If the proponent is successful with a rezoning review at the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel, council officers are to prepare another report on a proposed voluntary planning agreement.

Council also resolved to notify the proponent of its decision. The public forum before the meeting included K Samuel and P Poulet, speaking on behalf of Karimbla Properties (No.1) Pty Ltd.