DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

Controversial plan to transform Sydney suburb passes on mayor's casting vote

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Waverley Council approved a master plan for Bondi Junction that includes 3,000 new dwellings and expanded green space.
  • The plan faced opposition from residents and some councillors who argued the process was rushed and information was withheld.
  • The mayor used a casting vote to pass the controversial proposal, which aims to invigorate the area and meet housing targets.

A contentious plan to reshape Sydney's Bondi Junction into a vibrant hub has narrowly passed the local council, with the mayor casting the deciding vote. The master plan, approved by Waverley Council, will introduce at least 3,000 new homes and add 9,000 square meters of green space to the eastern Sydney suburb.

We were not given a single minute with the planners until tonight.

— Steven LewisLabor councillor Steven Lewis criticized the short timeframe given to review the complex plan.

The project's initial phase includes revamping the Oxford Street Mall with a new public square and improving access to the train station and bus interchange. An additional 10,000 square meters will be dedicated to a "civic precinct" featuring a performance theatre and spaces for creative programs.

Despite the council's approval, the plan encountered significant opposition. Locals and some councillors voiced concerns that the process was rushed and that crucial information about amendments was not adequately shared. Labor councillor Steven Lewis criticized the short timeframe given to review the complex plan, stating, "We were not given a single minute with the planners until tonight." He compared the limited briefing unfavorably to discussions about minor park amenities.

We actually are one of the worst [council's] at meeting our housing targets at the moment.

— Will NemeshLord Mayor Will Nemesh defended the proposal, emphasizing its role in addressing housing shortages.

Lord Mayor Will Nemesh defended the proposal, emphasizing its role in revitalizing the area and addressing housing shortages. "We actually are one of the worst [council's] at meeting our housing targets at the moment," he said. The plan supports high-rise and mixed-use developments, with about 10 percent of the new homes designated as affordable housing.

Your urban design study doesn't mention school capacity once..not once..for 3,000 new dwellings.

— Karla BurnettResident Karla Burnett questioned the plan's impact on essential services.

However, residents like Karla Burnett questioned the plan's impact on essential services, noting the absence of school capacity considerations for 3,000 new dwellings. "A master plan is meant to do more than mark where the housing goes. It's meant to design a suburb that works for the people who live in it," she stated. Another resident, Catharine Munro, expressed concern that the proposal might not provide sufficient public amenities to support the increased population.

A master plan is meant to do more than mark where the housing goes. It's meant to design a suburb that works for the people who live in it.

— Karla BurnettResident Karla Burnett emphasized the need for plans to consider the needs of future residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog