Waverley Council has faced residents after lodging Bondi Pavilion redevelopment plans

WAVERLEY Council has faced the public for the first time after it lodged its contoversial plan for the redevelopment of the iconic Bondi Pavilion.

Waverley Council's acting general manager Cathy Henderson at the meeting about the Bondi Pavilion upgrade. Picture: Daniel Aarons

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WAVERLEY Council has faced the public for the first time after it lodged its plan for the redevelopment of Bondi Pavilion.

Acting general manager Cathy Henderson presented the proposed first stage of the $15.2 million upgrade, that includes an expanded pottery studio, a new gallery space and a new amenities block on Monday night.

The council submitted the development application last week to restore the heritage of the 90-year-old building and keep the site as a community and cultural centre.

Members of the public at the meeting about the Bondi Pavilion upgrade.

About 50 residents listened to Ms Henderson and Roberta Ryan, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Governance and the UTS Centre for Local Government, run through the plans.

Controversial points included the removal of The Bucket List’s front “glass bubble” and the submission of stage one plans without stage two.

Ms Henderson said Monday’s information night was held to tell people about the stage one plans and give them enough information to make a submission.

Artist’s impression Bondi Pavilion upgrade.

The Save Bondi Pavilion group handed out pamphlets to residents that said it was “irresponsible” of Mayor Sally Betts to lodge plans for stage one without any information publicly available on stage two.

Cr Betts was not at the session because she was in hospital.

Several councillors attended.

The plans are now open for public consultation until May 24 and people are invited to have their say. A second information night will be held mid May but the date is yet to be finalised.

Bondi Pavilion upgrade development application.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

â–  If council is amalgamated tomorrow, what becomes the state of this project?

Ms Henderson said the development application would still be determined by the Sydney Planning Panel, which was independent of the council.

â–  How is this project being paid for?

The stage one works are fully funded in council’s long term financial plan. But she said stage two would not be.

â–  How controversial do you consider this project?

Ms Henderson said it was up to the community to decide that.

â–  Could The Bucket List remain as part of these plans?

The question was put on notice.

â–  Why can’t council wait until after the election to present stage one and two in one concrete plan?

Ms Henderson said we shouldn’t wait to improve the facilities.

Originally published as Waverley Council has faced residents after lodging Bondi Pavilion redevelopment plans