A sweeping redevelopment vision for Bondi Junction has been released by Waverley Council, outlining plans to reimagine the heart of Sydney’s East with thousands of new homes, a lively shopping hub, expanded public spaces and major civic upgrades.

The draft Master Plan, developed over the past year with inputs from planning experts, businesses, stakeholders and residents, proposes a large-scale transformation of the precinct into a more connected and vibrant destination for living, work and entertainment. The vision includes 3000 new homes, a revitalised mall with plaza and square, 9000sqm of extra public space and 10,000sqm of new community infrastructure.

The strategy is now on public exhibition for community feedback before being presented to Council for formal endorsement.

“Bondi Junction has all the elements of a high-performing precinct, including a major transport interchange, an excellent location and a premier retail offering, but its full potential has remained untapped for too long,” says Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh.

“This exciting plan creates a town centre for the next generation that is vibrant, accessible and welcoming and supports people, business and community life.

“We have crafted a comprehensive strategy that delivers high-quality housing, a reinvigorated Oxford Street Mall, a thriving new Civic Precinct, expansive green space, cultural amenity and a resilient commercial core to support local jobs and services.”

The Master Plan is structured around four key ambitions, beginning with repositioning Bondi Junction as the ultimate day-to-night destination focused on dining, entertainment and culture.

“It starts with revamping Oxford Street Mall to serve as a daylight hub for shopping, wellbeing, culture and hospitality before transforming into a lively promenade at night with extended dining, live music and major community events,” explains the Mayor.

Transport connectivity is another major focus of the plan, with proposals to reconfigure the Bondi Junction interchange into a seamless people-focused gateway.

“The primary entrance to Bondi Junction station would shift to Rowe Street, providing a direct link between public transport and Oxford Street Mall, making movement between the two safer, quicker and more intuitive,” he continues.

The blueprint also proposes a broader network of parks, plazas and active transport connections linking key open spaces across the eastern suburbs.

“A network of urban parks and plazas, plus walking and bike trails, will connect Centennial Park on one side to Waverley Park on the other.”

Housing growth outlined in the strategy would be concentrated across five areas – Oxford Street Mall, Bondi Road East Gateway, the Civic Precinct, West Oxford Street Village, and Bronte Road Village – transforming Bondi Junction into the heart of Sydney’s East with a broader choice of homes and lifestyles.

“This plan could deliver 3000 new homes, 10% of which would be earmarked as affordable,” the Mayor informs. “But this is not about blanket density, but density done well and scale matched to place, with heritage conservation areas retained.”

Two major “catalyst projects” are also identified in the document to anchor Bondi Junction’s transformation.

The Oxford Street Mall project will include a grand arrival arcade from the enhanced Bondi Junction Interchange and a new 1500sqm public square and plaza, alongside new housing and office developments, enhanced retail and dining frontages, and expansive tree canopy and planting.

The Civic Precinct redevelopment is centred around a new state-of-the-art community and civic facility with potential for a new and relocated library, a performance theatre, flexible spaces for classes, meetings or workshops, and creative spaces for art, music and youth programs. The adjoining Clemenston Park would also be expanded and upgraded as part of the proposal, while pedestrian connections will help deliver safer, more people-focused streets throughout the precinct.

“Bondi Junction has huge potential, and this Master Plan serves as a roadmap for making it the beating heart of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs,” Mayor Nemesh concludes.

Artist impressions and map supplied

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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