ApartmentsHudson FarrThu 23 Jul 26
Bondi Junction 3000-Home Masterplan Wins Waverley Backing
Waverley Council has approved a long-term masterplan to reshape Bondi Junction into a major commercial, cultural and transport hub, paving the way for 3000 new homes, expanded public spaces and new community infrastructure.
The strategy sets out a vision for the Sydney centre over coming decades, with plans for 9000sq m of new public space including an expanded Clementson Park, new walking and cycling links and additional pocket parks.
The masterplan also identifies two catalyst projects intended to drive the precinct’s transformation.
The first would deliver a revitalised Oxford Street Mall anchored by a new 1500sq m public square, a redesigned entry to the Bondi Junction train station and bus interchange, and upgrades to the surrounding public realm.
The second proposes a new civic precinct with 10,000sq m of community infrastructure, including a potential new library, performance theatre, flexible community spaces and facilities for arts, music and youth programs.
Mayor Will Nemesh said the strategy would deliver long-term change for Bondi Junction.
“The first catalyst project is a reinvigorated Oxford Street Mall with a major new 1500 square metre public square and new entry plaza to the train station and bus interchange, as well as visual and functional amenity upgrades,” he said.
“The second is a new Civic Precinct with 10,000 square metres of community infrastructure, including a new state-of-the-art facility with potential for a relocated library, a performance theatre, flexible spaces for classes or workshops, and creative spaces for art, music and youth programs.”
Housing growth is concentrated across five precincts, with about 1250 homes planned around Oxford Street Mall, 770 at the Bondi Road East Gateway, 520 within the Civic Precinct, 340 at Bronte Road Village and 120 at West Oxford Street Village.
The council said the additional housing would help diversify the area’s housing mix and contribute towards state and national housing supply targets.
The masterplan was approved despite concerns raised during the consultation process.
Councillors said they had received more than 300 emails from residents, with some community members arguing revised amendments had not been adequately communicated before the final vote.
The final version of the strategy incorporated feedback received during the public exhibition period before being considered at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive Paul Waterhouse welcomed the decision, saying it provided long-overdue direction for the strategic centre.
“Waverley Council’s newly approved Bondi Junction masterplan is a great step forward for a precinct that has been largely ignored,” he said.
“Bondi Junction needs to be both a late-night and an early-morning destination. It should be somewhere people want to go, rather than a staging point for further travel. The precinct needs to recapture its past to embrace its future.”
Nemesh said the masterplan marked a turning point for Bondi Junction.
“For too long, this crucial centre has been overlooked and left to develop in a piecemeal and directionless fashion. Finally, at long last, Bondi Junction has a bright future built on strategic principles that deliver for the whole community,” he said.
