Bondi Junction Cycleway & Streetscape Upgrade

Waverley Council facilitating the development of the cycleway design in 2014, including public exhibition of the preliminary design.

Extensive consultation with technical stakeholders to address the feedback on aspects of the preliminary design followed. The final concept design was approved by the Traffic Committee in November 2017, endorsed by Council in December 2017.

Council received $6 million dollars of state funding through the Active Transport program released for the 2019-20 financial year.

In 2020, the Cycleway project received significant funding from the Commonwealth and New South Wales Government through the $240 million jointly funded Pinch Point Program to make Sydney’s metropolitan road network more efficient for all transport users.

The Pinch Point program is one of several infrastructure projects to share in a $1 billion joint investment by the Federal and State Liberal and Nationals Governments in shovel-ready infrastructure projects and road safety upgrades around Australia.

The REF assessed the scope of the project against Clause 228 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (EP&A Regulation). The REF allowed Council, as the determining authority for the project, to fulfil its duty to examine and take into account all matters affecting or likely to affect the environment by reason of the activity, as required under Section 5.5 (previously Section 111) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).

The public exhibition of the REF Report, prepared by EMM Consulting, closed 28 February 2018. The REF Report was peer reviewed by an external consultant, LK Planning, along with all submissions received during the public exhibition. Recommendations from the Peer Review were actioned to ensure a more complete REF process.

Having assessed the Project in accordance with 5.5 of the Planning Act, and having regard to the REF documents, the General Manager of Waverley Council determined that the Project would proceed. The implementation of the mitigation measures recommended in the REF Report will occur.

Service and in-ground investigation work would be completed in early August 2019 and construction will begin late August 2019.

A separated cycleway is best practice infrastructure, encouraging and enabling more people in the community to cycle in safety. The Bondi Junction cycleway will allow people of all ages and abilities, including families, to get out on their bike.

The cycleway will link Bondi Road to York Road via Bronte Road, Spring Street and Dennison, connecting the cycleway to the city via the existing cycling infrastructure.

Since the link was first proposed, extensive work was undertaken to address concerns with earlier proposals and has resulted in world-class design. It delivers cycle and pedestrian safety, improved streetscapes and contributes to Waverley Council’s Complete Streets with new street trees, footpaths and garden beds. The area will be an attractive and pleasant place to use, shop, work and live. In all, there will be 57 new trees planted.

Project benefits include:

• safer cycling environment, resulting in increased cycling participation
• safer environment for pedestrians
• decreased traffic congestion with fewer cars on the road
• less pressure on parking
• reduced pressure on public transport
• improved access to bus stops, particularly in east Oxford Street
• full streetscape upgrade with full pavement upgrade, smart poles with Wi-Fi, improved street lighting, installation of a bio retention system and raingardens, and irrigation and stormwater quality improvements
• street safety improvements including improving Nelson Street and Oxford Street crossing and Spring Street and Bronte Road pedestrian safety
• the cycleway will bring more people into the Bondi Junction area, potentially boosting business.
• Increased liveability in Waverley with improved community fitness and health

Benefits of Cycling:

• Environmental benefits – It’s a pollution free mode of transport, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health and Fitness benefits - It’s gentle on joints, a great workout and improves mental wellbeing and brainpower.
• Economic – You will save money on public transport or petrol. The cost of buying and maintaining a bike is approximately 1 per cent of the cost of buying and maintaining a car. It saves time too by beating traffic as short journeys are often faster by bike than by car.