Mayor's column

At the July Council meeting, I presented two Mayoral Minutes aimed at supporting our community. The first proposed that Council officers investigate the preparation of Social Impact Assessment Guidelines for inclusion in the new Waverley Development Control Plan (DCP) currently under review

As we are seeing a rise in COVID cases across Sydney, it is now more important than ever to maintain our new life rules to keep us safe:

I would like to remind the community that in response to COVID-19, all our beaches remain closed until further notice. These closures apply to everybody and are to help stop the spread of this deadly virus.

Waverley Councillors this month endorsed the Council to develop Option 4 of the Bronte Surf Club and Community Facilities Building Upgrade to a concept design suitable for Stage 2 community consultation next month.

Waverley Council in partnership with North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club is building an advanced response lifesaving facility to improve volunteer surf lifesaving services at North Bondi.

I am very excited to announce that we will be trialling a new street play initiative in Waverley. Participating streets will be closed to traffic each Sunday afternoon to allow for children and families to play and socialise safely.

I’m excited to report that Stage 3 of the Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape Upgrade will begin in March on Spring Street between Newland Street and Bronte Road.

In 2019, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, upon the recommendation from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), approved a Planning Proposal (PP) to upzone 194–214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction.

I continue to be heartened by the generosity of our local community through this ongoing bushfire crisis, including volunteers from our local surf clubs for all they’ve done to help our coastal neighbours.

As NSW continues to battle the drought and ongoing bushfire crisis, we must do our bit to continue to save water, our most precious resource.

Last year, Council increased ranger patrols, and upgraded signage clearly outlining the dangers of the cliffs in both text and universally recognised icons. We are also undertaking an independent coastal risk assessment review to managing Waverley’s coastline.

I would like to thank the Waverley community for its outpouring of support for bushfire ravaged communities in NSW and Victoria.

As we embark on a new year, it is a solemn time for so many around the country with the devastation left by bushfires.

It has been great to see so many projects progress this year at Council as we work towards a better Waverley.

This week saw the launch of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP is Waverley Council’s commitment to reconciliation. It sets out actions and strategies for Council to work towards reconciliation as an organisation and with the community.

To celebrate our reopening of North Bondi children’s pool and Wally Weeks pool, we’re holding a kid’s pool party at from 10am to 1pm on Thursday 19 December at North Bondi. There will be free ice-cream, kid’s crafts, face painting, kid’s music and a chance to meet the lifeguards. The accessible beach matts will be out, so I hope to see you there!

Works have progressed on our Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape Upgrade. We’ve now moved into a new section of Spring Street where Council is adding new street lights, traffic signals, furniture, garden beds and planting lots of new trees.

As Council prepares for approval next month of the development application (DA) for the Bondi Pavilion Restoration & Conservation Project, I would like to update the community on how Council has progressed this much-anticipated project so far.

Last week, I moved an urgency motion in Council calling on the State Government to reverse its decision to privatise the last remaining State Transit-operated bus regions in NSW.

Do you live in Tamarama or Bronte and have a patch of green to call your own? Then join Waverley Council’s free Living Connections program and turn your garden into a natural oasis for you and small wildlife.

As the chair of the Waverley Public Art Advisory Committee, I am delighted to invite Waverley residents with relevant expertise and/or interest in public art or the visual arts to apply for a position on this advisory committee of Council.

I am requesting the Minister for Planning and Public Places to prepare a State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) to protect Centennial Park from future development which could adversely affect its aesthetic and heritage significance.

Thank you to everyone who came to our Marks Park Upgrade opening on Saturday morning. As my first official opening as Mayor, it was great to see so many people enjoying our new accessible paths and playground.

Stage 2 construction of the Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape Project is now underway along Spring Street between Newland and Denison streets, and Denison Street between Spring and Oxford streets.

When I chose to run for Council seven years ago, it was because I have a great love and respect for our beautiful local government area. My deep respect for our community means I will work hard for our residents and ensure that our community’s voice is well heard.

Council’s finances are very sound. We continue to report an operating surplus, with total net assets of more than $1.2 billion. Council also has almost $180 million in cash or cash investments.

RUOK is our national day of action, dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.

Works to restore the roof of the gatehouse at the rear of the Pavilion started yesterday.

From a childhood growing up in the east to a career in rugby league as a player representative to a Councillor and a Mayor of Waverley, Peter Moscatt was a friend, a mentor, a man of wisdom and of common sense. Thank you Peter for all you did to make the world a better place.

Last week, Council considered an urgent report regarding visitor safety at Diamond Bay Reserve. Councillors unanimously agreed to undertake an independent risk review by qualified assessors of our coastal reserves, with Diamond Bay as a priority location.

The Bondi Beach sea wall mural painted by Luke Cornish will be replaced after the completion of an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process run by Waverley Council staff.

The project will provide a separated cycleway through the Bondi Junction commercial centre, linking Oxford Street, Syd Einfeld Drive and Bondi Road intersection to an existing cycleway at the north eastern corner of Centennial Park.

Honouring our Waverley local heroes Audrey and Peter McCallum.

Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick councils have become the first councils in NSW to provide public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Waverley Council is committed to tackling climate change and making environmental sustainability in our area second nature. This year we will implement several projects aimed at reducing our greenhouse emissions and protecting the local environment.

Council formally recognises the 60^th anniversary next year of the placement in April 1960 of the Bondi Mermaids by local sculptor, Lyle Randolph on the 235-tonne Big Rock boulder off Ben Buckler headland at North Bondi.

With the new financial year well underway, I would like to reflect on my Council’s achievements over the past 12 months, most especially our investment in major projects to improve the experience of Waverley for our residents and visitors over the coming years.

For the rest of the year, we are trialing a public forum before each Council Meeting. Think of it as an “open mic”- a chance for you to voice your concerns and give us your opinions, face-to-face with Councillors.

On Friday 12 July, Waverley and Randwick Councils partnered with Centennial Parkland to host an evening of entertainment and cultural learning in celebration of NAIDOC 2019.

Waverley Council is inviting submissions from artists interested in developing a concept for our new world-famous ‘BONDI’ street art mural above Wally Weeks Pool at North Bondi.

Our community consultation for our Seven Ways upgrade at North Bondi is now complete and I’m pleased to report that we had overwhelming support from the consultation about what Council has planned for the upgrade.

I would like to reflect on my Council’s achievements over the past 12 months, most especially our investment in major projects to improve the experience of Waverley for our residents and visitors over the coming years.

I would like to reflect on my Council’s achievements over the past 12 months, most especially our investment in major projects to improve the experience of Waverley for our residents and visitors over the coming years.

Performance and resilience coach Vashti Whitfield is our guest speaker at the next Waverley Business Forum on Monday 24 June at Easts Leagues Club.

Council has begun works to upgrade Marks Park, Tamarama to provide more ways to enjoy the spectacular view!

Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick councils have become the first councils in NSW to provide public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Waverley Council is embarking on its largest civil infrastructure works program at Bondi Beach in almost a century.

Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick councils have become the first councils in NSW to provide public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Waverley Council last week launched round two of its Building Futures program to help a further 10 strata buildings in Waverley save thousands in energy and water costs by providing support from start to finish.

The concept designs have been informed by feedback received through our recent community survey and face-to-face consultation with residents, visitors and other key stakeholders.

Waverley Council has partnered with Service NSW and the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner to launch Easy to do Business in Waverley.

I would like to congratulate the winners of our 2019 Waverley Heritage & Design Awards. The calibre of entries was very high indeed.

Waverley Council is due to begin a suite of essential repair and renewal works along the promenade between Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi, and the ocean in late April.

Our proposal for the restoration of the iconic Bondi Pavilion has reached a major milestone with the development application now open for public and stakeholder input.

Australia currently generates around 50 million tonnes of waste every year of which 7.6 million tonnes is food waste.

On Anzac Day, we pay tribute to and remember those who have served and died in war and on operational service past and present.

I held a meeting recently with key stakeholders in the Bronte Beach Village Streetscape Upgrade project to discuss how our proposed works aim to significantly improve pedestrian safety and amenity in the area.

The development application will soon be open for public and stakeholder input and a period of 28 days is set aside for this next phase of community consultation.

We want to hear from you, the community, about how you use Notts Avenue and what we could do to improve your experience of the space.

Last year, Waverley Council introduced a fairer system of parking fees and permits for residents and visitors.

The plan will set goals and strategies to deliver the cultural objectives of Council’s Community Strategic Plan, including a strong focus on increasing opportunities for the community to celebrate and participate in art and culture.

We want to hear from you about where and how you create, learn or experience culture in Waverley and your ideas for the future.

Lifeguards from Waverley, Randwick and Sutherland Shire braved large swells and torrential rain for the annual Lifeguard Challenge, a gruelling 30 kilometre swim, paddle and run from Bondi to Cronulla in aid of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

I stand by our decision to take the government to Court over its handling of the Sydney Football Stadium development consent.

Join cultural leaders Rhoda Roberts and Clothilde Bullen in conversation on Friday, 8 March at Bondi Pavilion.

A group of Waverley Council lifeguards will be taking part in the 2019 Lifeguard Challenge to raise money for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF).

Last year, Waverley Council began introducing a fairer system of parking fees and permits. I am happy to report that Council will now be switching off parking meters in Queen Elizabeth Drive and Park Drive North/Park Drive South, Bondi Beach, after 7 pm all-year-round.

In July 2018, Waverley Council began introducing a fairer system of parking fees and permits for residents and visitors including the removal of the fee for the first Residential Parking Permit and switching off parking meters in the Bondi Junction commercial area at 6pm each day to reinvigorate business in the evenings.

Do you know someone who works selflessly for the community? Someone who stands out because of their community work, generosity and commitment to others?

More than one million drink containers have been cashed in at the Bondi Beach reverse vending machine (RVM) since it opened in June 2018.

Our program has both free and paid activities for people over the age of 50 including tai chi, yoga and pilates classes, author talks, talks about healthy living and tech classes with the team from City East College.

A group of Waverley Council lifeguards will be taking part in the 2019 Lifeguard Challenge to raise money for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF).

On Monday, 21 January, I wrote to the Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, asking that the demolition of the Sydney Football Stadium does not proceed until the Minister has been able to correct any errors made in the issuing of the consent to date.

The proclamation of the Municipality of Waverley was gazetted on June 16, 1859.

Our highly-skilled professional lifeguards work 365 days a year to ensure everyone is safe and enjoy their day at the beach.

The Bondi Pavilion and Restoration Project has progressed from the concept design phase to drawing up the plans for submission of the development application.

Our highly-skilled professional lifeguards work 365 days a year to ensure everyone is safe and enjoy their day at the beach.