Bondi Beach mermaid artwork sparks public backlash over cost, erosion risks, representation of female form

Plans to create a large artwork in memory of two famous mermaid statues at Bondi has ignited a beachside battle. Here’s why it’s making waves.

A plan to create a huge mermaid themed public artwork at Bondi Beach is set to be sunk after a public row over the cost of the project and claims the depiction of mermaids is a poor representation of the female form.

Waverley Council says it risks facing “reputational harm” if it proceeds with creating the sea-themed artwork in the wake of heavy community criticism and debate that has drawn involvement from local residents, politicians and artists.

The saga surrounding the project began almost two years ago when the council released plans to pay homage to two well-known mermaid sculptures that once stood on the rocks at the northern end of the famed beach.

The mermaids were created in the 1960s and despite no longer standing on the rocks, are still recognised to this day as a cherished part of the suburb’s history.

But the council’s plans to honour the mermaids with an artwork at Bondi’s South Park has now ended with the project expected to be scrapped in its entirety following poor public feedback over the concept designs.

Concept design for the artwork included this large replica mermaid at South Park.

The council had commissioned three artists to create the artwork including a design by Sydney studio Pink Cactus featuring a large replica mermaid.

Another design by Dutch artist Lin Utzon depicted a large mermaid’s tail and the third design by Studio Georgouras incorporated silhouettes of mermaids within a reflection pond.

The original mermaid statues were created in the 1960s.

But an internal council committee report stated the poor response over the designs included negative feedback over the “representation of the female form” and the concerns over public money being spent on the project.

According to the report, a significant number of people surveyed during consultation indicated they were selecting the “least bad” concept and “that none was actually good enough”.

“Community consultation feedback clearly demonstrates that no artwork design is supported by the public,” the report added.

“Commentary regarding the waste of public funds is already a feature of the public consultation and is likely to become an ongoing message should an artwork continue.

Other concept designs included a mermaid’s tail.

A mermaid-themed reflection pond was also proposed.

“Continuing to spend funds on this project would create a risk of reputational harm.”

Since plans for the artwork were released, the project has also been subject to debate at meetings by multiple community groups including the Bondi Residents Precinct Committee which has opposed the location of the artwork and also raised concerns over potential damage from coastal erosion and the project’s cost.

There has been similar debate on social media with some residents claiming the designs “look like they were created by Year 8 students”.

Govinda Webster, the director of Pink Cactus studio which was commissioned by the council to create one of the three designs, said he was stunned by the public debate surrounding the artwork.

One of the original mermaid sculptures.

“A mermaid is a mermaid and it’s always going to represent the female form and honouring the mermaid sculptures was the central part of the brief,” he said.

“I suspect the feedback may be from a small and noisy minority and I’m sure most people wouldn’t mind the council supporting more artwork in the area.

“Bondi is the most famous beach in Australia but there isn’t much else there in terms of artwork and it could have been a great way to engage tourists who could have taken selfies with the mermaid.

“We put a lot of work into the design so it’s disappointing to hear the feedback.”

Public feedback on the murals has been mixed.

Former Mayor Paula Masselos, in announced plans for the project last year, said the artwork was intended to reimagine the mermaids “for future generations”.

However, Ms Masselos recognised the subsequent public feedback had been almost universally opposed to the project and the council had an obligation to listen to the community’s views.

Waverley councillor Michelle Stephenson, who represents the Bondi ward, said she understood why some residents were opposed to the project.

“The concept designs weren’t great and they weren’t representative of the original mermaids,” she said.

“They also weren’t in the original location so I don’t think people really saw the link.”

A committee meeting will this week decide whether to formally terminate the project.

If the project is scrapped, funding will be reallocated to other public art initiatives including a memorial artwork to recognise the 2024 Westfield Bondi stabbing tragedy.

Records show the former mermaid statues had been modelled on local identities Jan Carmody, who was Miss Australia Surf in 1959, and Lynette Whillier, a champion swimmer.

The original mermaids stood on the rocks at Bondi for more than a decade until one of the statues was swept into the heavy swell during a storm in the 1970s. In 1974, the remaining mural was removed and her remains were put on display at Waverley Library.