26 June: Record investment in Waverley

Record investment in Waverley

As we approach the end of the financial year, 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.

Council is building a new playground and accessible pathway at Marks Park, Tamarama, as part of an upgrade project that will include low-rise landscaping, erosion mitigation, improved pedestrian access from Marks Lane and new stairs to Mackenzies Point.

The pathway will provide independent step-free access around the perimeter of the park whilst retaining around 95 per cent of green space. It will increase access and help reduce soil damage following major events.

We have committed around $70 million to projects at Bondi Beach to make the area better and safer for all. Bondi Blueprint brings these projects together so you can start to see the future Bondi Beach, Park and Pavilion.

These projects include works at North Bondi children’s pool, new amenities for South Bondi, improved pedestrian safety in Notts Avenue and streetscape improvements on Campbell Parade at Francis Street and at the North Bondi terminus.

We expect to receive development application approval in September for the Bondi Pavilion Restoration & Conservation Project, with works to begin in mid-2020.

Our South Bronte Amenities and Community Centre upgrade project will deliver a beautifully designed new amenities building responding to the needs of immediate stakeholders, locals and visitors of this space. Council has also begun streetscape improvements at Bronte Village Centre to improve pedestrian safety and amenity and create an integrated public transport interchange with safer and accessible access.

We continue to make sustainability second nature, and recently introduced public electric vehicle charging stations and launched round two of our Building Futures program to help new and existing strata building slash costs and emissions.

Funding these projects

Council has reserve funds set aside for the purpose of maintaining assets for the community and delivering capital works programs. This money is separate from our general operating revenue.

We expect to use $11 million from the reserve funds towards delivering $40 million in capital works in the 2019/20 financial year for the benefit of the community.

These projects, and more works to come, are Council’s financial commitment to the community, making Waverley a better place to live. These achievements are recognition of Council’s prudent financial management and the commitment of our hard-working Council officers.

As Mayor, I will continue to ensure we remain in a position to provide exceptional facilities and services for our community for generations to come.

- Waverley Mayor, John Wakefield

This column first appeared in the Wentworth Courier.

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