Plans for $17.8 million Bondi chambers revealed

By DANIEL LO SURDO

Waverley Council has called on the community to provide feedback on multi-million dollar plans to upgrade its Bondi chambers building.

Council has budgeted $17.8 million for the refurbishment, with $12 million believed to be needed to make the building compliant with modern building and safety standards, which will include the removal of asbestos.

According to council, the building is at the “end of its life” having been constructed over a century ago, with problems including asbestos, significant water leaks and poor sustainability and accessibility measures.

Five options were considered for the chambers (two of which being a full knock-down and rebuild), with the plans presented for community consultation said to be cheaper than constructing a new building while keeping a strong street front appeal.

Council won’t take out loan for project: Waverley mayor

The design includes plans for lightweight solar panels to source renewable energy, major roof repairs and a lift to provide access to the third floor of chambers, which will create space for more staff in the building.

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said that council will not take out a loan for the project and will instead absorb the costs into its long-term financial plans.

Cr Masselos said that the upgrades will be backed by council’s “enviable” $180 million reserve fund, formed through “prudent fiscal management” over the past four years.

The design is aimed to help council reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2030 and reduce its carbon footprint, with on-site power generation and the recycling of rainwater for irrigation targeted as features to achieve sustainability outcomes in the brief.

Other features in the design include space for informal and formal meetings, an expanded forecourt with native trees and low-level planting, and increased bike parking to encourage active transport for staff and the community.

Community consultation on the design is open until May 4. The chambers building was found to be at the end of its life in 2018, with the project first scoped in 2020. Construction is expected to begin next year, with completion set for 2024.