Mighty plans for Bondi Pavilion

Waverley Council aims to breathe fresh air into the historic walls of the Bondi Pavilion, with reports of a draft plan of management set to be released next month.

In 1995 a plan of management was created for Bondi Park and Pavilion by Council to meet the future needs of the community, local businesses and visitors to the area. Built in 1928, the Bondi Pavilion is a crucial part of this plan. Recognised by the Australian National Trust as a structure of significant historical character, the pavilion has come to represent “the Australian culture of beach bathing and outdoor living”.

But heritage consultant and architect, James Phillips said the Bondi Pavilion is like an old ship that is starting to appear run down and is in need of an overhaul.

“It’s a building, from my heritage perspective, that’s quite capable of change and quite capable of coping with it. It needs to change because Bondi has evolved over the [last] 30 years,” he said.

Speaking at a public forum held at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre last December, Mr Phillips argued the main issue with the pavilion in its current state is a lack of direction.

“We’ve got to recognise that [it’s going to continue to evolve] and the worst thing you could do is put a dead hand to heritage over a building that needs to [adapt], and respond to the people who are using it,” he said.

Director of Flickerfest Bronwyn Kidd said the pavilion needs to realise its potential as a multipurpose entertainment hub for the community. Flickerfest is an annual film festival held at the pavilion.

“Having a fantastic community arts venue like the Bondi Pavilion – situated where it is on the beach – is crucial for the community. Flickerfest has been at the Bondi Pavilion now for 18 years. It’s provided a really crucial home allowing groups such as ourselves to put on events in the community … it really does have an [important] place in the heart of Bondi for culture,” she said.

Mr Phillips said the pavilion needed to be reinvigorated by opening up the venue from both sides so it could be a focal point for visitors to the beach.

“Bondi has a fantastic resonance with all of Australia because it encapsulates the way we’d like to project ourselves to the world: as outdoor, sun-loving people and members of a vibrant nation. The building should be the entry point to the beach, but people now just walk around it. Opening it up is just the starting point,” he said.

The Bondi Beach, Park and Pavilion Plan of Management 2013-2023 is a strategic plan concentrated on understanding the ways Bondi is used by residents, local groups and businesses. A draft plan of management and community consultation report is expected to be released at the beginning of May.