Tamarama Archives - Bronte News

Tamarama Streets to Slow as Speed and Bike Rules Tighten

Tamarama residents will soon see a 40km/h speed limit enforced on local roads and stricter controls on shared e-bikes under Waverley’s new transport safety measures.

Transport Rules Shift Local Movement in Tamarama

Tamarama is one of several suburbs in Sydney’s east affected by Waverley Council’s recent changes to road and public space regulations. These include the introduction of a 40km/h speed limit and new rules targeting e-bike misuse across the area.

Tamarama e-bike — Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only
Photo Credit: Pexels

Slower Speeds for Local Streets

As part of a broader initiative covering the southern half of Waverley, Tamarama’s local roads will be reduced from 50km/h to 40km/h. This follows a community consultation held from 2019 to 2020 and affects areas located south of Bondi Road and Syd Einfeld Drive, extending to sections of Oxford Street.

The changes follow the installation of infrastructure such as kerb extensions, pedestrian crossings and speed humps. Council cited data from Transport for NSW indicating that lower speeds reduce crash severity and shorten braking distances.

Although the consultation drew only 195 responses from a population of 64,000, 75 per cent of those who responded supported the speed reduction. Installation of signage is expected to be completed by mid-June.

E-Bike Rules Address Safety and Obstruction

Waverley Council is also addressing growing complaints about shared e-bikes left strewn on footpaths or operated at unsafe speeds. Under enforcement powers granted by the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021, the council will begin impounding bikes that block access or present safety concerns.

Bike providers will have three hours to relocate problem bikes before they are impounded. Once impounded, companies have 28 days to retrieve them, subject to fees.

Lime Agrees to Regulation Terms

An agreement has been signed between Waverley Council and operator Lime, placing limits on the number of e-bikes within affected suburbs including Tamarama. The deal also introduces designated parking areas and geo-fenced no-go zones, including pedestrian-heavy and environmentally sensitive locations.

Lime’s bikes will be restricted to a maximum speed of 25km/h, and the company has agreed to fund new parking infrastructure and respond quickly to non-compliant parking.

Other operators such as HelloRide and Ario did not meet the council’s deadline to sign a similar agreement, meaning their bikes may now be subject to removal.

Tamarama transport changes — Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only
Photo Credit: Pexels

Local Reactions and Broader Impact

Community response has been mixed. Some residents voiced concerns online that slower speed limits may worsen congestion. Others highlighted e-bike misuse as a more pressing issue, citing safety risks from high-speed riding and blocked footpaths.

Between 2021 and 2024, the use of shared bikes in the area rose by 350 per cent, contributing to increased visibility and concern over how the bikes are managed.

Next Steps in Tamarama

The new speed limit in Tamarama will be fully enforced by mid-June. Lime’s agreement with council begins at the end of June and will run for two years, starting with a six-month trial of designated parking areas. The council is also reviewing speed limits for the northern section of Waverley.

Council representatives said these changes aim to improve safety and accessibility in areas like Tamarama, where narrow streets and high pedestrian traffic require closer regulation.

Published 9-May-2025

Archaeological Dig to Proceed at Lang Syne Site, Tamarama, Before Redevelopment

Photo Credit: Forbes Global Properties

An archaeological dig will take place at the former Lang Syne site in Tamarama before construction begins on a new residence. This decision followed the discovery of an Aboriginal artefact.

The 1920s bungalow, a prominent feature of Tamarama Point, was demolished in January last year. The site, now cleared, will be developed into a modern home designed by Sydney architect Luigi Rosselli, but only after an extensive excavation process.

A Century of History at Tamarama Headland

The land on which Lang Syne stood was first acquired in 1922 by George Frederick Wolf, a Newtown shoemaker. He was required to build a home valued at at least £600. Two years later, in 1924, Lang Syne was completed, serving as a family home for decades.

In 1959, radio personality Harry Griffiths and his wife, Dimity, purchased the property. The couple owned it for more than 65 years. Mr Griffiths, known for his work in McCackie Mansions, lived there until his passing in 2014. Following Mrs Griffiths’ decision to sell, the property was purchased for $45 million in 2023 by Australian businessman David Droga, setting a Sydney real estate record at the time.

Lang Syne development — *Caption: The Lang Syne site was demolished last January 2024.*
*Photo Credit: Sydney by Simon/Instagram*

Waverley Council approved the demolition of the bungalow in January last year, despite concerns from some local residents about its impact on the iconic Bondi to Bronte coastal walkway.

Aboriginal Artefact Sparks Archaeological Investigation

An Aboriginal artefact, identified as a tula adze, was discovered during preparations for the site’s redevelopment. The NSW Land and Environment Court acknowledged the historical significance of the area. City official Tim Horton stated that the site had likely been used by First Nations people for thousands of years.

The tula adze, a unique stone tool originally from Australia’s arid zones, has led to the area being officially designated as Tamarama Point AS01, marking it as a site of potential further archaeological findings.

Architect Luigi Rosselli confirmed that the excavation for the new home will be conducted under the supervision of an archaeologist. He stated that his client, Mr Droga, has embraced the site’s cultural history and supports the careful excavation.

New Home Design Approved After Legal Battle

The development application (DA-187/2024) for the new home was rejected in May last year, citing concerns over its impact on the surrounding landscape and public access to the coastal walkway. Following an appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court, the project was approved on 28 January 2025.

Lang Syne site — *Photo Credit: Forbes Global Properties*

The approved design includes a two-storey residence with an integrated car park, basement level, rooftop garden, solar panels, swimming pool, and landscaping. Mr Rosselli described the design as “organic,” with the structure intended to blend with the natural contours of Tamarama Point.

Community Reactions and Next Steps

The demolition of Lang Syne was met with mixed reactions from the local community. While some residents lamented the loss of the century-old home, others were curious about the modern redevelopment set to take its place.

Mr Rosselli shared that one of the Griffiths’ children congratulated him after the court ruling. They acknowledged that while the home held sentimental value, its replacement was inevitable.

With the archaeological dig set to commence, construction will begin only after the excavation is completed. The new residence will become a seasonal home for Droga, who has long admired the site and plans to return to Tamarama each Christmas.

Published 25-Feb-2025

Mackenzies Bay: The Beach That Vanishes as Quickly as It Appears

There is a secluded inlet between Sydney’s iconic Bondi and Tamarama beaches where, almost overnight, a rocky cove can transform into a sandy beach. This elusive phenomenon occurs at Mackenzies Bay, a spot known for its fleeting beauty.

While normally a rocky haven for surfers and sunbathers, Mackenzies Bay occasionally becomes a proper beach, a change that has fascinated locals for decades.

A Beach That Defies Predictability

Mackenzies Bay is not your typical beach. Its formation is erratic, with no set pattern for when or how long it will remain a sandy shore. Some years, Mackenzies turns into a full-fledged beach with a wide stretch of sand, while in other years, no sand appears at all, leaving it as a rocky inlet.

Local myths suggest that the beach emerges every seven years, but the reality is far less predictable. For example, in 1997, the beach appeared with so much sand that at low tide, it was nearly possible to walk between Tamarama and South Bondi.

What makes Mackenzies Beach so special is its unpredictability. The beach can last for just a few months before disappearing due to a strong storm or high tides. A major east coast cyclone in 1997 swept away the sand overnight, and the beach didn’t reappear until 2007. That year, Mackenzies reappeared dramatically, with locals recalling the beach as being the widest and deepest in over 50 years. However, just a few months later, it was gone again, illustrating the fleeting nature of this unique spot.

*Photo Credit: Mackenzies Bay Watch/Instagram*

Sudden Disappearance After Storms

The tiny, temporary beach had only re-emerged last summer, but its sandy shoreline vanished following two large storms that hit the coast. According to experts, the sand was washed away by waves as high as nine metres during the storm events. Coastal geomorphologist Ana Vila-Concejo explained that the storms came with just the right strength and from the right direction to remove all the sand that had accumulated over the last year.

Despite its short-lived presence, the beach has been a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike. Mackenzies Bay is known for its “pop-up” nature, turning from a rocky inlet into a sandy beach every few years. Its unpredictable appearance and subsequent disappearance have long fascinated the local community.

Andrew Quilty, a celebrated Australian photojournalist, had been documenting the beach daily before its recent vanishing, creating a visual archive of the beach’s various moods and transformations.

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A post shared by Mackenzies Baywatch (@mackenziesbaywatch)

The Science Behind Mackenzies Beach

Mackenzies Beach’s formation is tied to specific seasonal and oceanic conditions. Coastal experts explain that the beach forms when there is a combination of low-pressure swells and offshore winds. Greg Skilbeck, a sedimentary geologist from the University of Technology Sydney, stated that increased wave energy during winter can sweep sand onto the shore from nearby sandbars. This results in the occasional appearance of a sandy beach where there is usually only rock.

Dr. Rob Brander, a coastal geomorphologist from the University of New South Wales, believes that broader climate patterns also influence Mackenzies’ transformation. He notes that La Niña phases tend to bring more storms and larger waves, which erode the beaches. On the other hand, during El Niño phases, there are fewer storms and calmer conditions, which allow sand to accumulate.

A Hidden Gem with Local Charm

Despite its unpredictability, Mackenzies Bay holds a special place in the hearts of many Sydneysiders. When the beach does appear, it becomes a local favourite, offering a serene alternative to the busier Bondi and Tamarama beaches.

Although dogs are not officially allowed on Waverley’s beaches, the absence of lifeguards and the secluded nature of Mackenzies Bay make it a de facto dog-friendly spot. This has earned it the nickname “dog beach” among locals.

The area is also rich in history. The bay and its surrounding point are named after the Mackenzie family, who ran Waverley Dairy from the 1860s to the 1920s. Their cows once grazed on the cliffs above the bay, an area now known as Marks Park.

Published 9-Oct-2024

Investigation Underway Following Reports Of Dog Baiting At Marks Park

An investigation is currently underway at Marks Park in Tamarama, following reports of suspected dog baiting in the area.

Read: Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facilities Upgrade Planned

Waverley Council, who already deployed rangers to patrol the park, started the inquiry after three dogs died within hours of falling ill in separate incidents after walking at Marks Park in February 2023.

“At this point, we have not been able to obtain information about the type of suspected baiting that has been reported, but our inquiries are continuing,” Waverley Council stated.

Photo credit: Hound Health Bondi – Hydrotherapy & Wellness Clinic

There’s signage put up in the area to warn dog walkers about the recent incident. Council also asked pet owners to stay vigilant when exercising their dogs and monitor their dogs for any signs of illness.

“If Council is able to obtain a sample of the suspected bait, then we can have it analysed to establish its contents and report it to police and the RSPCA.”

Residents took to social media to share their experiences about the suspected cases of dog poisoning at the popular cliff top park.

In an Instagram story, one local shared that a friend’s dog passed away just a few hours after visiting the park. The dog was young and healthy so the owner was clueless about the exact cause of her dog’s death.

Another puppy who visited the park also died just a few days after the first incident happened. It was confirmed that the young dog was poisoned but the owners did not have an idea what caused it.

Dog-baiting involves setting poison baits for dogs in an appealing treat. The initial symptoms of poisoning in dogs include vomiting, agitation, and diarrhea.

“Dog-baiting is not a common problem in Waverley but is devastating when it does occur,” Council stated.

Meanwhile, Council said they will be posting alerts on social media and will continue to patrol the park.

Read: Family, Friends Mourn Bronte Teacher Killed In Nepal Plane Crash

Dogs are permitted off-leash in Marks Park between 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 a.m. daily, however, owners may wish to keep their dogs on-leash if they have concerns.

Penthouse Construction to Resume at Skye Tamarama, formerly Glenview Court, After Stop-Work Order

Construction work on Skye Tamarama, a high-end luxury building on Illawong Road, is set to resume once issues raised in a stop work order have been resolved.

Point Built shared in a social media post that it will start working with Pure Interiors and the SPMA for the two fitouts of the building’s penthouses.

In December 2021, Fair Trading ordered to stop the construction based site inspections in September and October from the NSW Building Commissioner. Apparently, fire sprinklers were only installed at two levels of carparks in the basement and were not up to the standards whilst the remaining levels of the nine-storey apartment did not have any fire sprinklers at all.

Aside from the stop-work order, the agency also prevented the release of occupation certificates to unit owners until the fire sprinkler issues are fixed.

Compliance director Matthew Whitton said that it might take some time for the building to become habitable again but it is not yet ready at the moment. Understandably, there are frustrations from the owners of Skye Tamarama, who were expecting to move to their new units in early 2022.

Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression/Illawong Ave

Skye Tamarama consists of 80 apartments costing millions per unit and two 240-square metres penthouses with an average of a $20 million price guide. It was formerly known as the Glenview Court, which was constructed in the 1960s, and was called by many names like The Beast, Tamarama Toaster, Soviet Hospital and Housing Commission, as one of the “ugliest landmarks” in Eastern Sydney.

Plans to fully renovate Glenview Court as Skye Tamarama started over 10 years ago with a $21 million budget that has ballooned to $40 million once construction stated. In 2019, its last tenants vacated to make way for the major redevelopment.

Christine Smetsers, who is behind the transformation of Glenview Cour,t said that she has been getting calls about the stunning design of Skye Tamarama from designed by award-winning architect Nick Tobias. Smetsersa said that the apartment’s location is “the most elevated position in Tamarama” that gives the residence a unique and incomparable full frontage view of the beaches and the ocean.