Bondi Surf Club conservation project to go ahead says Waverley Council

Bondi Surf Club conservation project to go ahead says Waverley Council
Image: Bondi Surf Bathers’ Lifesaving Club members at meeting about conservation project. Photo: bondisurfclub.com

By ERIN MODARO

Waverley Council has announced that the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club conservation project was approved by the Sydney Eastern City Planning panel on June 3rd, and the transformation of the heritage building is set to go ahead.

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos announced the green-light on the conservation project, saying that “this conservation and upgrade project will address accessibility challenges, equal female to male facilities, and space for nippers.” The plans for the upgrade will “provide equality of facilities for females”, as it was noted that women comprise of 40% of new members to the Bondi Surf Club.

Masselos said that the plan will “return open space to the local community, increase public green space and native vegetation, improve public amenity, encourage greater community interaction, improve accessibility and restore these spectacular views.”

Upgrades will include changes to the exterior of the building to restore heritage aspects. Photo: Waverley Council.

The project also includes the restoration of the exterior of the building, and the removal of “bulky mock heritage additions”, in order to restore the building’s historical value. The addition of new community spaces and an increase to public parklands are also among the transformations that will take place.

Community eager for upgrades to Bondi Surf Club

In 2021 when the project was announced, President of the Bondi Surf Club, Brent Jackson, said that “the current clubhouse, built in 1934, is hailed for its exceptional cultural and heritage significance. This historic upgrade aims to enhance this.”

The historic surf club has served Bondi’s surfers and residents for many years, and community feedback shows that Bondi residents support the transformation plans. A community consultation report by Waverley council found that 86.2% of people supported the proposed conservation plan, and over 90% supported the reconfiguration of the club’s footprint.

“Those were really positive responses and testament to the planning that went into the proposal,” Mayor Masselos said.

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