Council sustainability action

Council takes a whole-of-organisation approach to achieving the Environmental Action Plan targets. The following are a sample of Council’s initiatives demonstrating sustainability leadership:

Emissions reduction

  • In 2023 the Net Zero Alliance was established by Council, with 34 leading local businesses and community organisations supporting Council to meet net zero community greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
  • In 2022, Council commenced a 100% renewable electricity energy agreement with retailer ZEN Energy for all Council sites.
  • In 2022 Council’s first three SkyParks were opened on the roof of Westfield Bondi Junction. In 2023 a further garden opened at UNSW.
  • In 2019 Council completed 50 energy saving retrofit projects across 10 of the largest sites, including lighting upgrades, installation of sensors/timers, and heating/cooling efficiencies.
  • Since 2020, Council has co-funded and delivered the Solar My Suburb program to help 46 community organisations take steps towards go solar. To date 16 solar installations have occurred.
  • Since 2018, Council has run the Building Futures program to assist strata buildings of 25 units or more save on energy and water. The program is now also supported by the Sustainability Rebates for Apartments Trial.
  • Since 2017, Council has partnered with Ausgrid to upgrade street lights with more energy-efficient lighting. A total of 760 residential lights have been replaced with new LED lighting.
  • Since 2012, 12 key Council sites, including the Library, Bondi Pavilion and many early education centres have been generating renewable energy through on-site solar panels.

Sustainable water

  • In 2015 the Tamarama stormwater recycling system became operational, allowing captured water to be used for irrigating the park, Bushcare activities and toilet flushing at the kiosk.
  • In 2014 three bioretention gardens (raingardens) were installed in the Bondi Junction commercial area which filter storm water before reaching Centennial Parklands pond.
  • In 2012 the Bondi stormwater recycling system became operational, supplying over 50m litres of cleaned water for irrigation, toilets and public cleaning at Bondi Beach.
  • In 2008 the Bronte Gully stormwater harvesting system became operational, allowing an estimated 16 megalitres of water every year to be used for parks, public toilets and public pool cleaning.
  • In 2008 a groundwater harvesting system was installed, with a bore at Barracluff Park in North Bondi capturing water from an aquifer and constantly filling a 25,000L tank at Barracluff Park and 50,000L tank at Waverley Park. Water is used for irrigation and for filling Council trucks, avoiding use of drinking water.

Sustainable transport

  • In 2023 the Bondi Junction Cycleway was opened, connecting the district to the existing cycleway at the northeastern corner of Centennial Park, allowing travel all the way to Sydney CBD.
  • In 2023, Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils completed an initial network of 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
  • In 2023 the Birrell Street Renewal was completed, providing bike lanes and continuous footpaths.
  • Between 2021 and 2022 Council installed 36 traffic calming treatments which created a self-enforced 40km/h speed environment, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Natural vegetation and wildlife habitat

  • In 2023 Council adopted strengthened canopy and vegetation targets through our Urban Greening and Cooling strategy to achieve 35% green cover by 2032.
  • In 2019 the Living Connections program was launched, to assist private land owners turn their gardens into urban wildlife habitats.
  • In 2015 the Bronte Gully Ecological Restoration Action Plan 2015-2045 was activated, built on two decades of work returning native bushland to this significant location.
  • In 2002 the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve was declared and is managed by National Parks NSW. From the southern end of Bronte Beach to the northern end of Coogee Beach, the Reserve protects a diversity of rocky shore habitats and extends out 100 metres from the shoreline.
  • Council’s Bushcare volunteer program has been active for over 20 years. Bushcare volunteers contribute to the restoration of Waverley's remnant vegetation, transforming once-degraded, weed-infested lands into healthy ecosystems.

Circular economy

  • In 2024 Council’s first Thinker in Residence was appointed, with Regen Sydney taking space at The Boot Factory.
  • In 2023 Council received a NSW Government grant to better understand material flows in the Bondi Junction commercial centre to guide the development of a Circular Economy Roadmap with local business partners.
  • In 2022, Council set circular economy targets for Council asset renewals, major projects and procurement.
  • In 2019 Council completed its first roads made from recycled soft plastics, glass bottles and printer toner.
  • In 2016 Council launched its tricky waste drop-off points at Waverley Library and the Customer Service Centre in Bondi Junction.
  • In 2019 sustainability became a mandatory criterion for larger Council procurement processes.
  • In 2009 Waverley joined with Randwick and Woollahra Councils to launch the Compost Revolution program, which subsidises the cost of compost equipment and provides resident advice.