Previous update 21 April 2016

The Bondi Pavilion Upgrade and Conservation Project report was considered at a Council meeting last Tuesday 19 April. This report is available to download at http://waverley.infocouncil.biz/

A number of changes were made to the project in response to community feedback. With those changes, Councillors voted 7─5 in favour of taking the project to the next stage. These changes include:

  • Ensuring music makers continue to have a home at Bondi Pavilion, with special acoustic treatment to one or more of the community rooms to support and encourage rehearsals and music groups 
  • For the new theatre, ensure the dressing room, green room and toilets are easily accessible. There will also be a bar facility and box office for the theatre
  • Allocate the northern gallery/community/exhibition space as mostly for activities, recreation, children’s classes, and community meetings. It will have a sprung floor, so it can be used for dance classes
  • Amend the landscaping of the internal courtyards so it can have temporary seating and screen within the courtyard for outdoor cinema. There will also be two other natural amphitheatres for festivals and community events, adjoining the Pavilion. 

Recent analysis shows that most music studio bookings can be accommodated in the proposed new layout of the Pavilion including the Seniors’ Choir and other music rehearsals. In a sample busy week, 100% of other bookings could be easily accommodated in the new layout including dance classes, martial arts, yoga, meditation, kids classes, kids parties and community group meetings. 

The new theatre will be designed for drama, music, film and other performances. It will include a range of high quality new technical equipment, including fly bars or mesh grid system for lighting and rigging, motorised lighting trusses, functional bio box and extensive AV patching, drop down screen and high quality film projection and sound, and a sprung floor. 

Other benefits of the project include brand new toilets (and more of them), more lockers, a new visitor information centre, and sheltered courtyard gardens.

There are a number of issues that Council will make decisions on later in 2016/2017: 

  • A policy of programming and hire of the new theatre, to ensure a great program of performances - theatre, music, film and other cultural activities
  • The location for a new Waverley music studio recording facility
  • The new location of the Council pottery programs (already, constructive discussions have been occurring with Waverley Woollahra Art School who have a pottery studio and two kilns)
  • A decision on what happens to the first floor space – whether and how much space is allocated for commercial tenancies. Council will also need to decide on the strict public tender process for any commercial tenancies in the Pavilion.
  • Arrangements for footpath dining and shade in the Bondi Pavilion forecourt.

Updated business modelling will also take place and Council will consider an updated business case later in 2016. The project cannot proceed to construction stage unless all funds are secured for the project. 

Next Steps

In line with Council’s decision, adjustments will be made to the design. A development application (including heritage application) will then be submitted in the next 1-2 months. The DA assessment process will involve further formal opportunity for community submissions. 

The development application will be assessed by an independent body (the Joint Regional Planning Panel). The NSW Heritage Council will also carry out a strict assessment as part of this process. We expect the assessment of the development application (including heritage application) to take many months, perhaps 10 or 11 months. 

During this time, Council is also conducting constructive meetings and conversations with relevant groups, including current hirers and tenants of the Pavilion, community groups and government bodies, to ensure they can contribute as this project progresses. We are very grateful for the feedback that has been provided.

We will also continue to send regular emails and keep you in the loop throughout the project. Please email bondipom@waverley.nsw.gov.au if you would like to be added to the Bondi POM database.