Council buys vital $4.9 million home after 22-year wait

One of Sydney’s most iconic features will be made even better after a $4.9 million buy which ends a two-decade stand off.

A 22-year standoff between a homeowner and council has ended in a $4.9 million sale, allowing Sydney’s most iconic walkway to be extended.

Randwick City Council entered discussions with resident Ellen Waugh, who lived in a key property on Cuzco St in South Coogee, back in 2002 to extend the Bondi to Coogee walk to Malabar.

However, Ms Waugh refused to sell the property, forcing walkers continuing past South Coogee on the Eastern Beaches Coastal Walkway to detour ten minutes onto the main street.

During the initial talks, Ms Waugh – who was then 78 – promised the council they could have first dibs on the house when she died, only wishing to be left alone by developers.

The vital property which is set to connect the Eastern Coastal Walkway. Picture: Google Maps

The current Coogee to Maroubra section of the walk requires a major detour. Picture: Randwick Council

However, Ms Waugh died in January this year, just six weeks shy of her 100th birthday – with council finally buying the house in November.

The sale will allow for a continuous coastal path from North Bondi to La Perouse.

Ms Waugh was a respected and award-winning art educator. Picture: Supplied

Ms Waugh pictured in 2000 as vice-president of Randwick & District Historical Society. Picture: News Corp Australia

Speaking to news.com.au, neighbour Vivien Wiener, 73, said Ms Waugh had simply “not expected to live that long” and didn’t want to move from the property her parents moved into in the 1930s.

Ms Wiener said Ms Waugh, who was an artist and local historical society president, was a “remarkable” woman who was gardening right into her final weeks.

Residents in the area said they were thrilled for the extension to finally be built, as walkers were often left confused by the 10-minute detour.

Ms Waugh’s home on Cuzco St. Picture: News Corp Australia

Ms Wiener was forced to put up “private property” signs in front of her home, with “every man and his dog” mistakenly walking down the side of her property believing it was part of the walkway, which was officially opened by Randwick Council in 2018.

“Council have put up more signs but people still come down, runners; you name it,” she said.

“I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve given people directions.”

Neighbour John Snowdon, who has lived in Cuzco Street for 45 years, said the road is often filled with coastal walkers looking at their phones for directions due to the path’s sudden detour.

Ms Waugh’s parents owned the land since the 1930s. Picture: News Corp Australia

He said over the years he would have given directions to “just about” 100 walkers.

“It’s going to be really good, people will just be able to carry on, it’s wonderful to see,” he said about the extension.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, was also excited by the extension as he said the street can be dangerous at times due to the number of confused walkers.

“I think everyone just about Cuzco is ready for it,” he said.

Council purchased the property in November after Ms Waugh’s estate was finalised in October.

Works are proposed to take place in 2025-26, with the walkway set to be named in tribute to Ms Waugh.