Bondi Ward News

Councillor Margaret Merten Bondi Ward being sworn in with General Manager, Emily Scott looking on.

Housing Reforms in Bondi Beach

Summer is nearly here and for Bondi locals that means swims, Sculpture by the Sea and gridlocked traffic. The big issue right now is the new State Government’s housing quota of 2,400 dwellings in Waverley. The Save Bondi Village group have galvanised to repel any attempts by these Housing Reforms to allow 8 storey buildings along Campbell Parade. I’ve been attending their meetings and listening to their concerns. There will be a meeting with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor with Minister Scully before Christmas. The key thing we will be arguing for is that Waverley Council planners have the proactive opportunity to create our own plans for the 2,400 new homes to meet our quota. We know we need more homes, and that we desperately need more affordable homes. It makes sense that our planners, who know our area best, are the ones drawing up the plans. 12 other councils in NSW have taken this approach and it’s one Labor fully supports. 

Affordable Housing 

In my doorknocking campaign I repeatedly heard resident’s concerns about these two topics. We know we are losing our precious affordable housing stock in Bondi Beach. Greedy developers have been buying up older blocks and homes and landbanking down here for the past decade. I will be doing everything I can to preserve, maintain and build more affordable housing for our community. We don’t want our valuable teachers, police and nurses unable to live here. 

The previous Labor Council created a new Planning Proposal designed to preserve our precious affordable and older housing stock in Bondi. In a nutshell, the idea is a simple and elegant one - the proposal will prevent developers buying, for example, a block of 4 flats and replacing it with less dwellings. Please go this link to have your say and support this important Labor proposal: https://haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/planning-proposal-dwelling-density-r3-and-r4-zones

Safer Streets Now

Traffic and safer crossings on O’Brien street and Blair Street were mentioned repeatedly. I’ll be moving motions to have these hot spots addressed. O’Brien Street is particularly urgent as we all know the new mega-development at Wellington and O’Brien Streets is about to open and will bring hundreds of new people and cars to this already busy intersection. 

In the meantime, enjoy the warmer weather, the sand between your toes and the sunny days as we wind down the year towards the holiday season and New Years. Stay safe and be in touch if you have any issues you wish to raise. 

Contact Me

0481 983 814

Margaret.merten@waverley.nsw.gov.au