Waverley Council settles for Bondi Pavilion revamp

Waverley Council has ditched controversial plans to redevelop the Bondi Pavilion with the lodgement of a development application to restore the heritage-listed building.

With the previous plan have resulted in 'death threats' against Waverley’s former Mayor, the Council has opted for a low-key restoration of the building, at a cost of $27 million, in contrast with an earlier controversial $38 million plan from the then Liberal-led Council.

The original plan was met with strong opposition from locals who believed the building was being overcommercialised.

The campaign was spearheaded by famous Bondi residents including actors Michael Caton and Jack Thompson.

Explaining the new plan for the landmark venue, Waverley Mayor John Wakefield told the ABC “it is the cultural and social heritage of the building that people mostly think about, but it also has architectural merit as well.

"It's a lovely building ... I've used it for 35-odd years (but) it's worn out now, there's no doubt about it, particularly the toilet and showering facilities."

Former Mayor Sally Betts, who oversaw the previous, more expensive plan, said the Liberal councillors would not stand in the way.

However, she suggested that the community has been sold short because, under the previous proposal, there would have been more toilets, a whole new theatre, art gallery and an additional music room.

Betts advised “in the end, the Pavilion will be returned to its heritage values as it was, but other than that, all it is for $28 million is a paint job.”

The latest plan emphasises space for the visual and performing arts, crafts and cultural activities and includes revamped amenities for beachgoers and better access for the public.

A Bondi Story Room in the middle of the complex will celebrate the history of Bondi's beach culture including its Indigenous heritage while the Pavilion will also get a new roof of terracotta Spanish tiles, which were part of the original building's eclectic Spanish mission and art deco mix.

The plan is on public exhibition now, and the refurbishment is expected to begin in February next year.

Images: The Bonid Pavilion from the air (top) and Waverley Council's refurbishment plans, (below, courtesy of Waverley Counci).