Bondi Road Upgrade

BY MORGAN CARLTON

Bondi Beach was recently given a multi-million dollar facelift in order to spruce up the world famous tourist area, and now it’s Bondi Road’s turn.

Over the next few months, the main strip down to Australia’s most famous beach will get its own $1 million beauty treatment. The first stage of the upgrade of the busy street should be completed sometime in November according to Waverley Mayor Sally Betts. The work will see the south end of the road, between Bennett and Avoca Streets, given a sprucing up.

‘Improvements will include new footpaths, better pedestrian access through new kerb ramps, seating, signage and new bike loops,’ Mayor Betts said.

 She also called for residents and businesses, as well as the many visitors who descend the hill to the beach, to remain patient during the work, which has caused some disruption.

The council has indicated they are working hard to complete the work by summer to avoid significant disruption to the area once the busy tourist season kicks off.

However, with Sculptures by the Sea underway, congestion has already become a problem, with Bennett Street resident Sophie Finane claiming that ‘getting out of my street onto Bondi Road has become extremely difficult with all the traffic going down to the beach, which isn’t helped by the work going on’.

The mayor justified the work saying: “There is never an ideal time to do such major works but the final result will be worth it. Residents and visitors should know that the shops and eateries are open and it’s business as usual.’

As well as the Bondi Road improvements, Avoca Street will get some much needed attention with Cr Betts announcing there would be ‘tree planting and devices installed to capture stormwater to help irrigate the park’ which will finally see the removal of unsightly barriers on the street.

Next on the agenda is an upgrade of Rose Bay Village, Murriverrie Road and Military Road, which should be completed over the next few years, with the area already benefitting from the $2 million of work done to Hall Street, Seven Ways and Macpherson Street.