Curlewis St Upgrade will transform the entrance to Bondi Beach

28 February 2024 | Media Release

Waverley Council is set to transform Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach with improved spaces for outdoor dining, a new bike path and 60 new street trees as well as other improvements as part of an exciting upgrade project.

Construction of the Curlewis St Streetscape Upgrade from Campbell Parade to Old South Head Road is due to begin on 4 March 2024 and will take 13 months to complete, weather permitting.

Works will be carried out in six stages, and smaller sub-stages, to minimise impacts to residents and businesses. The first stage of construction will be on both sides of Curlewis Street between Glenayr Avenue and Campbell Parade.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said businesses will remain open during construction and pedestrian access will be priortised at all times.

“Our upgrade will provide improved pedestrian and bike-rider connections, opportunities for street activations through improved outdoor dining, enhance the street’s character and promote the economic vitality of our local businesses,” Mayor Masselos said.

“The Council’s project team is working closely with local businesses and residents to ensure they are kept updated and informed about the progress of this exciting project, and I'm personally looking forward to catching up with local shopkeepers during my regular walkarounds.”

Highlights of the project include:

  • separated two-way bike path from Campbell Parade to Wellington Street
  • six new EV charging stations
  • shared paths for people walking and cycling between Wellington Street and Old South Head Road
  • raised pedestrian crossings at Gould and Wellington streets
  • 60 new trees to increase tree canopy
  • new paving and signage
  • new multifunction light poles
  • improved drainage and stormwater systems

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill said she was looking forward to seeing the State and Local jointly-funded project begin.

“Walking and cycling is not just the greenest way to travel, but also a lot of fun,” Ms O‘Neill said. 

“Our Government is using the Get Active NSW program to help Councils give people new ways to walk and ride a bike that make them feel safe, but also take traffic congestion off our roads.

“We’re proud to be supporting this vital walking and cycling link in one of Sydney’s busiest and most iconic locations - Bondi Beach.

“The two-way separated bike path along Curlewis Street will give families a safe and accessible way to ride bikes from Rose Bay, the CBD and the city’s north to Bondi Beach – delivering on our vision to create a connected network of cycleways.”

This project is one of 87 projects funded across NSW through Transport for NSW’s 2023/24 Get NSW Active program, which provides local councils with funding for projects that create safe, easy, and enjoyable walking and bike riding trips.

The design for the upgrade was informed by two rounds of community consultation conducted in 2022 and feedback received last year about the project’s Review of Environmental Factors.

“Curlewis Street is one of Bondi’s most popular neighbourhood areas and marks the entrance to Bondi Beach and the Waverley area,” Mayor Masselos said.

“The upgrade will complement our recently completed streetscape works in neighbouring Glenayr Avenue, which like Curlewis Street, has a fantastic neighbourhood vibe and some of the best retail and places to eat and drink in Sydney.”

Standard construction hours are 7am to 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays (if required).

Evening and night works will be required for certain activities such as commercial driveways and signal works, and affected residents and businesses will be advised in advance if works fall outside of standard hours.

For more information about the project, please visit our project Have Your Say page.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.