Waverley Council Archives

Bronte Beach to See Glass Ban and More Police on Christmas Day

Thousands of backpackers who packed Bronte Beach on Christmas Day last year left behind more than just footprints, shattered glass, piles of rubbish and overwhelmed locals have now pushed for firm action to manage the event in 2025.

Community Concerns After Last Christmas

On Christmas Day 2024, more than 15,000 mostly young international visitors gathered at Bronte Beach for the popular “Orphan’s Christmas” event. While the tradition is cherished by many travellers, residents and officials reported serious damage and safety concerns.

*Photo Credit: visitbondibeach/Instagram*

Broken bottles, vomit and blocked laneways left parts of the suburb unusable, with one alley described as a “mass urinal.” Clean-up crews collected over 15 tonnes of rubbish, and emergency services were heavily stretched. The event cost Waverley Council more than $135,000 in clean-up and enforcement, prompting widespread community frustration.

Council Chooses Tougher Controls

Waverley Council has voted to adopt “Option 3” to manage the 2025 Bronte Beach Christmas event. The plan includes a glass bottle ban, more police and crowd control officers, and alcohol checkpoints, but no fencing or ticketing. It also involves a public awareness campaign and better coordination with emergency and transport services.

Council documents labelled last year’s event as “out of control,” citing major safety concerns. The new measures will cost over $220,000 and aim to keep the beach safe while still allowing people to gather.

Mixed Reactions From Locals

Some residents want the Bronte Beach Christmas event scrapped, saying it’s turning the area into a party spot and disrupting local life. During community forums, concerns were raised about families being pushed out by large crowds and festival-like behaviour.

Council has decided not to cancel the event, instead opting for stronger enforcement and public education. Officials say tougher rules may follow if the new measures don’t work.

What to Expect This December

Bronte Beach will see tighter controls on Christmas Day 2025, with a ban on glass bottles and increased police presence to manage alcohol-related risks. Rangers and crowd control teams will monitor the area throughout the day.

Council is also working with NSW Police and rideshare services to manage traffic and keep access routes clear. The event will still go ahead, but officials say the chaos of 2024 will not be repeated. The new measures aim to protect both the local community and holiday visitors.

Published 20-June-2025

Calls Grow to End Bronte Beach’s Christmas Chaos

Photo Credit: visitbondibeach/Instagram

A Christmas Day party at Bronte Beach saw around 15,000 people, many of them backpackers, pack the sand and parklands, leaving behind broken glass, waste, and frustration among long-time locals.

Residents Say Enough is Enough

The crowd gathered on December 25 for the informal “Orphan’s Christmas,” popular with young international travellers, mainly from the UK. Locals say the festive mood quickly spiralled, with reports of public urination, fights, vomiting, and rubbish strewn through streets and laneways.

At a recent Waverley Council forum, residents said they were fed up with the yearly disruption. Some reported people urinating on fences and fights breaking out near their homes, with one describing a nearby lane as a “mass urinal.”

Council Copes with the Cost

Waverley Council said the party cleanup cost ratepayers over $60,000, with another $75,000 spent on extra police and rangers over summer. Despite efforts, resources were stretched.

The council asked the NSW Government to help cover costs, but state officials said Waverley should manage its own events like other councils.

Mayor Will Nemesh said the event’s impact was unsustainable and hard to manage, as it isn’t formally organised and spreads via word of mouth and social media.

Locals Call for Stronger Action

Many in the Bronte community want stronger council action this year. Suggestions included more police, street closures, geofencing, or fencing off the park as a dry, ticketed zone.

Despite these ideas, the prevailing message from residents was not to manage the party, but to stop it altogether. They argued that the beach and surrounding streets should not have to suffer the same mess and damage year after year.

Divided Views Among Locals

While most supported ending the party, some locals and business owners said it brought energy and income, suggesting better facilities instead of a shutdown.

Still, the community voice at the recent forum leaned heavily towards change. Residents said it was time for Bronte to reclaim its beach and parks for peaceful family celebrations, not be left to clean up after 15,000 tourists each year.

Published 13-May-2025

Tamarama Streets to Slow as Speed and Bike Rules Tighten

Photo Credit: Pexels

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

Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club Clubhouse To Receive New Restorations

The Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club clubhouse is due to receive a series of much-needed upgrades and restorations, including new areas for First Aid courses and improvements to vantage points and facilities.

With the help of the Waverley Council, the Lloyd Group and Chrofi Architects, the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club clubhouse will receive a series of upgrades and restorations, improving amenities and their ability to cater to the needs of modern lifesaving. Now, the Council is calling for the aid of the Sydney community to send funds and help make this project a reality.

The restoration project entails the improvement of facilities for female members, as well as upgrades for vantage points for beach surveillance during patrols. Additional storage space for rescue equipment will also be implemented as part of the project.

Areas for education and training activities such as First Aid courses will be constructed, and more of the clubhouse will be available for public use — specifically community groups in need of facilities.

The project will also address two of the clubhouses most common problems: acoustic bleed to neighbouring properties, and environmental sustainability.

Though the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club was first established in 1906, it is not a heritage-listed site. The club boasts having over 350 members, and it takes great pride in maintaining a record of ‘no lives lost’ ever since it was founded. It was also one of the clubs that helped develop vital rescue equipment used by lifesavers including the rescue board and the line and reel.

It is estimated that the restoration will take up to 12 months to complete, however inclement weather might impede progress and cause delays.

Though an official starting date has not been announced for construction, those interested in keeping up with the project can follow the Waverley Council’s newsletter Waverley Weekly. Those interested in funding the project by donating can do so via this website.

The Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club clubhouse can be found at 1A Pacific Ave, Tamarama. For more information, visit their website here. For the latest updates and announcements concerning the club and progress on its clubhouse, follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Bronte Surf Life Saving Club Set for $9 Million Redevelopment in Mid-2020

Construction of a new state-of-the-art facility for the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club is expected to be underway by mid-2020. Waverley Council has confirmed that it has received $9 million in funding to redevelop the site, which Bronte locals have enjoyed since 1903.

The existing clubhouse will be demolished and replaced with a sustainable building that can fill the demands of a growing community. Currently, Bronte Surf Life Saving Club has over 1,900 members, staff and lifeguards.

Among the proposed new features that will be incorporated in the new clubhouse include lifeguard and first aid facilities, family and accessible public amenities, function rooms, kiosk, gymnasium, and administrative offices. In addition to a new building, the promenade and surrounding areas by the beach will be upgraded to be more accessible and useful to locals enjoying the Bronte Beach.

Council has pledged $4.625 million for the redevelopment whilst Bronte Surf Life Saving Club members have pooled over $2.03 million in donations. The rest of the funds will come from the state and federal governments.

*Photo Credit: Bronte Surf Life Saving Club/Facebook*

“A Council/Club joint project control team will oversee the project to ensure all necessary financial and probity measures are in place. The project will result in significant improvements to amenities, provide better lifeguard facilities, improve workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements and will ensure the service the Club provides to the community will continue into the future,” Mayor John Wakefield said in a press statement.

Consultations have begun for the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment. Club members and residents are enjoined to let their ideas and opinions be heard as feedback will shape the design and features of the new clubhouse.

A development application will be submitted once the community’s inputs have been integrated into the project.