We met with the mayor. Here’s what happened.

This week was a busy week for Save Bondi Village. On Monday night we met Mayor Will Nemesh for the first time in an open forum at Bondi Pavilion. Councillors Margaret Merten and Michelle Stephenson also attended and all three took the time to answer questions, for which we are grateful. Dominic Wy Kanak was an apology but has attended our meetings in the past.

On Tuesday night, we then spoke at the Waverley Council meeting and a motion was passed that the Council will meet with State Government ASAP to express concerns and start to outline a plan for the Waverley LGA that ensures the State Govt’s 2,400 new dwellings target is met in a way that preserves Bondi Village and avoids 6-8 storey rezoning being forced up on it.

A motion to engage community with a communications campaign was voted down but it was agreed that this will be revisited at the December Council meeting, pending the outcome the the meeting with State Govt.

Overall it was a positive outcome the more important action is to come: having Waverley Council design and present a plan to the State Government.

Which begs the question, why hasn’t this happened already? Twelve LGAs haver already presented such plans to the State Govt in order to avoid having communities rezoned under ‘one size fits all’ planning laws. Meanwhile, Waverley Council has not even commenced the process. It’s a frustrating situation, but we’re hoping that the new Mayor and Council will see the urgency and increase the speed of action.

So far so good, but watch this space.