Virtual offices become a reality in Bondi

Benefitting from its close proximity to the CBD, Bondi Junction is set to oversee a transition towards becoming the next booming business hub in Sydney, thanks to expanding infrastructure and developments in virtual office space.

The booming virtual office spaces in Bondi provide businesses with the prestige associated with physical offices with the benefit of significant savings and the ability to work from home. This is maintained through rental conference rooms and phone-answering services.

Waverley Mayor John Wakefield said the transition was not easy and appropriate measures needed to be taken by Waverley Council to realise Bondi’s transformation into a central, business hub.

“Does Bondi Junction have the potential to take a lead role as a regional hub for office activity? My absolute belief is not that it can … it must take that role,” he said. “That is its future as far as I’m concerned.”

Mr Wakefield spoke of his plans for a creative economy in Bondi, which would see a transformation of the economic capacity of the Bondi area through revisions to existing traffic and transport arrangements. As part of the initiative, Mr Wakefield said Council needed to take a firmer stance on developmental planning controls for Bondi to fulfil its potential, which would mean a re-evaluation of building density arrangements and floor space ratios for surrounding areas.

“First and foremost, [our priority] is to get an understanding of the demographics of the office users, and to recognise that Bondi Junction is not just a retail space, it’s a significant office space,” he said. “If we allow one development site after another, then over the next 30 years, we’ll lose the capacity to position Bondi Junction as the next commercial office and retail area.”

Mr Wakefield said perceiving Bondi as a regional retail centre is a view neglecting how important office activity has been over the years, particularly for small businesses looking to relocate to Bondi.

“There’s a large number of medical practices occupying office space, a large number of solicitors servicing the region and a small number of state and national head offices there,” he said.

‘Christie Offices’ and ‘Servcorp’ are companies who aim to provide the necessary support, tools and facilities for small businesses to flourish through virtual office spaces. Lana Shelest, manager of Servcorp Bondi Junction, said these spaces allow businesses the ability to work from any location through a portability and flexibility model.

“Businesses can truly flourish when they have a great location, the best support team,” she said. “And the latest in technology solutions for a fraction of the cost.

“Virtual offices give our clients a competitive advantage in the market. More and more people are realising this as they advance into a new era of doing business.”

According to Ms Shelest, due to the importance of Bondi Junction for Sydney’s economy, virtual office spaces represent the potential for local companies to “compete on a world stage” by conducting “business at any time” and developing into successful, international corporations.

Gabrielle Upton, State Liberal Member for Vaucluse said Bondi presents a unique opportunity to enhance its tourism industry while benefitting local businesses and shop owners in the area.

“At a state level, we’re interested in tourism and taking care of residents,” she said. “For us, it’s about getting a balance between tourism and the tourists who are coming in to spend dollars on Oxford St and Campbell Pde and helping make it a really vibrant community.”

By Daniel Paperny