Bondi street to be upgraded into pedestrian friendly space for shopping and dining

By ERIN MODARO

Waverley Council has announced its plans to turn Hall Street in Bondi into a pedestrian friendly space which will include outdoor dining, new lighting and design installations for a 6 month trial. The Hall Street upgrades are part of a government funded program called ‘Streets as Shared Spaces‘, giving council grants to install streetscapes.

The council is receiving $500,000 from the shared spaces program to fund the improvements, which will run between Gould Street and Glenayr Avenue. Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos says the plans are intended to make visiting Hall Street for shopping and dining a more enjoyable experience.

“Our team is continuing to meet with local shop owners on ways we can raise the potential of Hall Street and make it a destination for families and visitors to stop a while on their way to and from the beach,” Cr Masselos said.

Council says the Hall Street project will include dedicated outdoor dining spaces, introducing a one-way street, making a new pedestrian friendly plaza, improving signage and widening footpaths.

Similar projects happening in eastern suburbs

McKeon Street in Maroubra will also see upgrades for a 6 month trial of a pedestrian friendly plaza this year, as a part of the NSW government scheme. Randwick Council announced the plans earlier in the year, saying they were doing a trial to assess the viability of the idea.

Woollahra Council has also received a grant for improvements to areas east and west of New South Head Road in Rose Bay. NSW Government planning website states that $480,000 will go towards “temporary changes and interventions to the laneways, streets, parks and carparks”, for “better connectivity” in the area.

Waverley council says they will be holding an online information session later in the month so the community can be informed of the Hall Street project, and provide feedback on the plans.