Waverley Heritage Policy and studies

An example of Inter-War architecture
An example of Inter-War architecture.

The LEP or Local Environmental Plan (Schedule 5) outlines the Heritage Conservation Areas and protected items in the Waverley LGA. Council has also published several documents that assist with the practical application of local heritage protection which are outlined below.

Waverley Heritage Policy

The Waverley Heritage Policy (2007) provides a historical context to the LGA and is updated periodically to identify possible new Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA) and heritage items. All items and HCAs are available to view on Waverley's LEP (Schedule 5), on Council's mapping tool (Planning Map) and on the State Heritage Inventory.

In 2022 the Heritage Policy (Part 1, Part 2) was revised, but remains in final draft form until the NSW Government formally accepts the assessment and updates the LEP to match. The NSW Government commenced this assessment in 2023 with findings imminent.

For the most current information on heritage items, residents are advised to refer to the 2022 Heritage Policy with the understanding that any proposed new or changed items included in the plan are yet to be formally endorsed.

State Heritage Register Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape Conservation Management Plan

Bondi Beach is of outstanding significance to the nation recognised by its listing on the National Heritage List, State Heritage Register and Waverley Local Environmental Plan. The updated Conservation Management Plan (2023, endorsed 2024) provides great detail about the history of the area and how it was developed. The CMP outlines the heritage items to be conserved, how proposed changes to the area are to be managed and what is required to protect Bondi Beach now and into the future.

Inter-War Study & Fact Sheets

The Inter-War years (1914-1940) were a boom time for the Bondi region, driven by the tram extension and large land subdivisions. ‘The playground of the Pacific’ got its iconic Pavilion in 1929 and the Campbell Parade foreshore area became lined with buildings from various inter-war architecture styles, including Art Deco, Functionalist, Spanish Mission, Mediterranean and Free Classical.

  • The Bondi Beach Inter-War Heritage Study (2014) outlines the local development history, and the various architecture styles that remain today, with recommended colour schemes.
  • The Inter-War Fact Sheets Heritage Study (2017) outlines how the conservation of the Inter-War buildings can be achieved in practice, including painting, fire upgrades, repairs and renovations.
  • The Inter-War Building Design Guidelines (2022) assists the identification of the specific Inter-War style of a building, plus provides guidelines for alterations and additions for both internal and external works.

Waverley Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study

Evidence of First Nations culture and custodianship of the LGA is well established and indeed still encountered daily by people who pass the large coastal rock engravings of sea life. Even the name ‘Bondi’ (also historically spelt Bundi, Bundye and Boondye), comes from the Dharawal language word 'Boondi' which means a loud thud noise.

The Waverley Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study (2009) began the task of uncovering the profound Connection to Country the Bidiagal, Birrabirragal and Gadigal people have had for millennia.

Historical research has revealed a mosaic of waterholes across coastal Sydney, a vast tool-making workshop at Bondi Beach, rock engraving sites and shelters with painted art motifs that are testament to the rich artistic language of Aboriginal culture in Waverley.

Bondi Junction Heritage Assessment

In 2004 an extensive heritage study was undertaken of the Bondi Junction area, including assessing existing heritage listings and recommending new inclusions. Since its publication, the Bondi Junction Heritage Assessment informed various other Council strategies and the LEP, which collectively supersede this 2004 assessment. However, the document is maintained on the website so residents can access historical information about individual heritage items (Appendix 1), which is also available on the State Heritage Inventory.

Bondi Post Office 1908
Bondi Post Office in 1908 at what is now 127 Bondi Rd, Bondi. The building remains a functioning post office today.