Bondi residents launch campaign for Waverley Council to improve aesthetic of ‘ugly’ concrete safety blocks

Bondi residents have blasted the erection of “brutalist” bollards, calling for the structures to be “beautified” before they drive tourists away from the area’s world-famous beach.

Residents have labelled these blocks in Bondi “ugly” and “unappealing”.

“Ghastly and unappealing” are just some of the words Bondi residents have used to describe concrete bollards placed at their world-famous beach, as they lobby for the local council to beautify the “brutalist” structures.

A local Bondi community meeting has resulted in an official request for Waverley Council to improve the aesthetic of about 100 concrete blocks, amid concerns the barricades are making the renowned tourist strip look “ugly”.

The bollards were installed as part of a council plan to deter the potential threat of terrorism and to ensure the safety of the beachgoers.

But a Bondi precinct community group has raised concerns the concrete blocks, running along the main pedestrian access point to the beach, are unappealing to the many visitors and overseas tourists who flock to the beachside strip.

Long-term local Lenore Kulakauskas is among residents calling for the council to improve the look of the structures, which cost a reported $134,000 of ratepayer funds to install.

A campaign is underway to make the blocks look more appealing.

The blocks were installed as a safety measure.

“They’re horrible, ghastly, big concrete blocks,” she said.

“When visitors arrive, it’s the first thing they’re greeted with when they step off the bus.

“I understand it’s a very popular spot and the council needs to consider the safety risks.

“But from the point of view of locals, we would love to see maybe artwork or mosaics incorporated on the blocks, or even sandstone or wood incorporated into them, to make them look more natural and appealing.

The blocks were installed as a safety measure.

“Many other councils have similar artwork on safety bollards, so there’s no reason why Waverley Council can’t do the same for such an iconic location.”

Several businesses along the beachfront strip have backed the residents’ proposal, with Bondi Icebergs owner Maurice Terzini among those in support.

“We have a lot of artists in Bondi and I’m sure they could come up with something to make them more appealing,” he said.

The blocks were installed along Campbell Pde.

Bru Coffee Bondi owner Sondra Beram said the concrete bollards were a “turn-off” for many people who visited the beach.

“I get why the bollards are there, but they’re really horrible to look at,” she said.

“Maybe the council could get the students from Bondi Beach Public School involved in painting them to celebrate Bondi.

“There are some amazing kids there and they could make an excursion out of it.”

In a statement, Waverley Council said the bollards were installed as an “an interim measure to prevent vehicles entering pedestrianised areas of the park”.

Sondra Beram at her cafe, Bru Coffee.

A spokesman said the council planned to have the blocks repainted in coming months to match the “pastel palette” of the Bondi Pavilion.

“Longer-term, they will be replaced with permanent integrated features such as seating, bollards and small retaining walls as part of Waverley Council’s Bondi Park, Beach and Pavilion Plan of Management,” the spokesman said.

“These will be integrated into the landscape to create the physical separation while maintaining a seamless connection between the park and other areas.”