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More Bikes, Less Control? Bondi Braces for Changes to E-Bike Rules

Shared e-bike trips across the Bondi Beach area have surged more than 350 per cent in recent years, peaking at around 150,000 rides in a single month late in 2025, and a proposed new statewide framework could remove the hard cap that has kept the number of bikes on local footpaths in check.

About 1,600 shared e-bikes from three operators, Lime (green), HelloRide (blue) and Ario (white), currently circulate across the Waverley area. Under an existing agreement, that number is capped at 2,700. The draft Transport for NSW E-micromobility Sharing Schemes Reform, open for public submissions until 4 May 2026, would replace that hard cap with “dynamic fleet management,” allowing operators to scale numbers to demand rather than sitting under a fixed ceiling negotiated locally.

For residents walking through Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction, where around 60 designated e-bike parking areas already handle the heaviest demand in the area, the prospect of uncapped fleet growth on some of Sydney’s narrowest footpaths is the central concern.

A System That Is Already Stretched

The current framework requires improperly parked bikes to be relocated within two hours of being reported, under threat of seizure and fines. Operators enforce parking through in-app prompts and penalties for riders who ignore designated bays.

Restricted Parking Zones in high-pedestrian areas direct riders to specific bays, with GPS technology used to enforce compliance, though urban environments introduce a margin of error that operators are still working to reduce.

A successful trial has paved the way for the shared bike parking scheme to become permanent, with $20,000 allocated for 36 new spaces.

The proposed statewide framework would keep local management responsible for parking enforcement, no-go areas and operator compliance, but would reduce the fee flowing to local management to 20 cents from each 80-cent operator trip charge, with the remainder held at a statewide level for redistribution through grant programmes.

The Fee Argument at the Centre of the Debate

The operators who manage the day-to-day reality of abandoned bikes, complaints and compliance costs argue that the bulk of e-bike management work, and its cost, sits at the local level, not the statewide one. The existing agreement includes a requirement for operators to contribute to the cost of parking infrastructure, an arrangement that would be superseded by the new framework.

Ausgrid’s head of electric charging Nick Black, commenting on the broader micromobility and EV infrastructure picture in NSW, noted that market-led approaches have consistently struggled to deliver infrastructure at the scale or coverage required.

The e-bike debate reflects the same tension: private operators can deliver where demand and economics support them, but the places that need the most management, precisely because they are most heavily used, are also the places where the cost of that management falls hardest on those least funded to carry it.

How to Report a Badly Parked Bike

For Bondi Beach residents who spot a shared e-bike blocking a footpath, access ramp or pedestrian crossing, the fastest resolution is to contact the relevant operator directly. Lime can be reached on 1800 861 305, HelloRide on 9423 0886 and Ario on 1800 882 746. Operators are required to respond and relocate within a set timeframe.

To have your say on the draft Transport for NSW e-micromobility framework before the 4 May 2026 deadline, click here or email e-micromobility@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Published 30-April-2026

How ‘Story Dogs’ Is Supporting Young Readers at Bondi Beach Primary School

Photo Credit: Story Dogs/Facebook

At Bondi Primary School in Bondi Beach, a group of students are improving their reading skills in a setting shaped by patience and quiet encouragement, as part of the Story Dogs program, which pairs children with trained dogs to build confidence through one-on-one reading sessions.

A Bondi Beach Classroom With An Unlikely Listener

Inside the school’s library, students take turns sitting beside Tashi, a miniature poodle, reading aloud in short, individual sessions. Each child is given time to work through a book at their own pace, sounding out unfamiliar words without interruption.

The sessions are structured so that students rotate through one-on-one reading time, creating a calm and focused environment. Tashi remains beside each reader, offering a steady presence as the child progresses through the text.

Tashi is brought to the school by Sue Bognar, who volunteers as part of the program and supports students during the sessions.

Story Dogs And Its Approach To Reading

The Story Dogs program operates across Australia, placing trained dogs and volunteer handlers in schools to support children who may feel anxious reading aloud or who need additional encouragement.

Bondi Beach Story Dogs — *Photo Credit: Story Dogs/Facebook*

Children are selected by their schools, generally in the early primary years, and participate with parental consent. The program does not assess students directly, instead focusing on creating a positive and non-threatening environment around reading.

Handlers assist when needed, helping students work through difficult words, while the presence of the dog allows children to read without feeling judged. This approach encourages students to take their time and continue practising.

literacy program — *Photo Credit: Story Dogs/Facebook*

From A Regional Trial To National Reach

The program began in New South Wales in 2009, first trialled at a primary school in Murwillumbah. It was developed after its founders identified a need for alternative support for children who were falling behind in reading.

Since then, the initiative has expanded across the country, with hundreds of dogs and volunteers involved. Bondi Primary School in Bondi Beach is among the participating schools, with sessions held regularly as part of the program’s ongoing work.

volunteer program — *Photo Credit: Story Dogs/Facebook*

Building Confidence Through Consistent Practice

In Bondi Beach, the sessions are designed to give students a consistent opportunity to practise reading in a calm environment. The structure allows children to progress at their own pace, reducing the pressure often associated with reading aloud in groups.

As students return to sessions over time, they are encouraged to continue reading regularly, supported by a setting that focuses on comfort and familiarity.

Through this approach, the Story Dogs program continues to provide an alternative way for children in Bondi Beach to engage with reading and build confidence through steady, guided practice.

Published 28-Apr-2026

Rare Three-Bedroom Listing Draws Attention in Bondi Beach

Photo Credit: Highland Property

A rare three-bedroom apartment in Bondi Beach has been released to market, highlighting the limited availability of larger beachfront residences in one of Sydney’s most tightly held coastal locations.

A Scarce Offering Along Bondi Beach

Positioned within the Hall & Campbell development on Campbell Parade, the residence has entered the market through an expressions of interest campaign closing on 24 April 2026, with a guide of approximately $8.5 million.

The apartment forms part of a seven-residence building overlooking the beachfront and stands out as the only three-bedroom configuration within the complex. Larger-format apartments along this stretch remain uncommon, particularly within the sub-$10 million range, placing the listing in a distinct segment of the local market.

Spanning 135 square metres of internal space, the residence is complemented by a 12 square metre balcony facing the shoreline. Dual car spaces are also included, adding to its appeal for buyers seeking both lifestyle and convenience in a high-demand coastal setting.

Sydney real estate — *Photo Credit: Highland Property*

Design Focus Reflects Coastal Setting

Completed in late 2025, the development integrates contemporary architecture with heritage elements, including the preserved façade of the former Bates Milk Bar. The design draws on organic coastal forms, with references to seashell curves shaping the building’s visual identity.

Interiors present a restrained palette of soft tones, aligning with the surrounding beachfront environment. High ceilings and open proportions contribute to a sense of light and volume, reinforcing the connection between the indoor spaces and the ocean outlook.

The apartment itself has been described as effectively new, released as part of a limited offering of developer-held residences.

Bondi Beach property — *Photo Credit: Highland Property*

Bondi Beach Market Context

The listing follows recent high-value transactions within the same development, where upper-level residences secured prices exceeding $20 million. Those sales reinforced the building’s position within the premium end of the Bondi Beach market.

By comparison, smaller apartments within the complex have recorded lower price points, including two-bedroom and one-bedroom configurations. However, three-bedroom beachfront apartments remain significantly less common, particularly in newly completed developments.

The current offering is expected to attract interest from high-net-worth buyers, including those seeking a secondary residence in Sydney with direct access to the coastline. Its positioning as a low-maintenance property with strong lifestyle appeal aligns with ongoing demand for lock-up-and-leave homes in coastal locations.

Positioned For Lifestyle And Exclusivity

Set along one of Bondi’s most recognisable beachfront strips, the development occupies a prominent corner position with uninterrupted ocean outlooks. Its proximity to established dining, retail and lifestyle destinations further enhances its appeal within the broader Bondi Beach precinct.

The combination of limited supply, recent completion, and direct beachfront access underscores the rarity of the offering, reinforcing its standing within the upper tier of Sydney’s coastal property market.

Published 15-Apr-2026

Bondi Beach Records Rare 12ft Waves as Extreme Swell Hits Sydney Coast

Photo Credit: Surfline.AU/Facebook

Bondi Beach has been hit by unusually large waves as a powerful ocean swell pushed heavy surf into Sydney’s coastline, creating dangerous conditions, prompting rescues, and drawing crowds to the headlands.

Northern End Transformed by Unusual Sur

Wave conditions at Bondi Beach intensified significantly, particularly along the northern stretch where surf is typically more moderate. Sets reached around 10 to 12 feet, reshaping the shoreline and producing steep, fast-moving waves rarely seen in that section. Experienced surfers entered the water to take advantage of the conditions, with some navigating the large breaks while others attempted to paddle through the heavy whitewater.

The swell, driven by strong offshore systems, pushed tides further inland than usual and altered the beach profile, with powerful surges consistently rolling through the bay. The scale of the surf marked one of the most notable wave events in recent years for the location.

Rescues Carried Out in Hazardous Conditions

The heightened surf created immediate safety risks, with multiple rescue operations required throughout the day. At least nine people were assisted across affected beaches, including several incidents at Bondi Beach where swimmers became caught in strong rip currents. Lifeguards entered the water under extreme conditions to carry out rescues, highlighting the severity of the swell.

Elsewhere along the coast, emergency crews responded to additional incidents, including rock fishers stranded by rising tides at Avoca Beach who required helicopter evacuation. The force of the swell also led to equipment being pushed onto rocks during rescue efforts, underscoring the intensity of the conditions.

Crowds Gather as Conditions Peak

Despite the hazards, the event drew significant public attention, with large numbers of spectators lining Bondi’s headlands to watch the surf. Surfers, kayakers and onlookers observed as waves broke with unusual size and frequency, turning the coastline into a focal point for both activity and viewing.

Similar conditions extended to other Sydney beaches, including Coogee and Maroubra, while further north the swell impacted coastal areas around Newcastle. As conditions began to ease later in the day, authorities indicated that beaches were expected to reopen, marking the end of a high-impact swell that temporarily transformed Bondi Beach into a site of both risk and spectacle.

Published 31-Mar-2026

In Memoriam: Thomas “Tomi” Greguss, Artist and Bondi Local

For more than half a century, if you wandered into Gusto’s café on the beachfront early enough in the morning, chances are you’d find Tomi there. Deep in conversation with a local, a tourist, or whoever happened to pull up a chair. That was Thomas “Tomi” Greguss, and for over 50 years, he was as much a part of Bondi Beach as the sand and the surf itself.

Read: Bondi Reclaims Its Spirit with “The Bondi Feeling” Campaign

The Bondi community is mourning the loss of the Hungarian-born artist, who passed away recently, leaving behind a family and a neighbourhood that loved him dearly. His family remembered him simply as “a friend to all he knew” and anyone who crossed his path would likely say the same.

But Tomi was far more than a familiar face at the café. He was a genuinely world-recognised artist whose copper works, sculptures, and paintings earned him an audience well beyond Australia’s shores, with exhibitions shown in both the United States and the Bahamas.

After studying at art colleges in Melbourne and Sydney, Tomi developed a signature technique that set him apart: moulding forms and dipping them in copper to create a distinctive three-dimensional raised finish. It was a technique he is credited with introducing, and he applied it most memorably to Australiana subjects, including scenes of early bushmen and portraits of Aboriginal Australians rendered in rich, textured copper.

Those works weren’t confined to galleries. Tomi’s sculptures featured in the Canberra Museum, appeared in television commercials, and were displayed in Westfield shopping centres across Sydney, bringing his art to everyday Australians in places they least expected to find it. Together with his late sister Marsha, he also contributed larger-than-life sculptures to the Jewish War Museum.

Read: Quinn Darragh Is Swimming Through the Night at Bondi to Shine a Light on Organ Donation

Back in Bondi, Tomi was a regular presence at North Bondi of an afternoon, painting or sculpting, a familiar sight to those who knew him. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, siblings, and a wide circle of friends who will feel his absence deeply.

A celebration of Tomi’s life will be held on 1st April at the Bondi Pavilion. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. For details, contact the family at cellco47@icloud.com.

Published 26-March-2026

Bondi ANZAC Story: Nurse Beatrice Maud Beetham’s Wartime Service

Photo Credit: WaverleyCouncil

As ANZAC commemorations approach, the life of Bondi nurse Beatrice Maud Beetham reflects the role of Australian medical staff who served overseas during World War I and continued support work at home.

A Life Beginning In Bondi

Beatrice Maud Beetham was born on 14 January 1892 in Newtown, New South Wales. She was the third child of Albert and Mary Beetham and later lived at 213 Birrell Street, Bondi.

Before the war, she trained as a nurse and completed her qualifications, entering the profession prior to enlistment.

Bondi ANZAC nurse — *Photo Credit: WaverleyCouncil*

Answering The Call To Serve

Beetham enlisted in Sydney on 25 August 1916 as a staff nurse. Her service included duties with sea transport staff and medical work supporting personnel during overseas deployments.

She served in Abbassia, Egypt, and completed more than one period of service. After her initial appointment ended, she re-enlisted on 4 January 1918 and continued her duties until returning to Australia in September 1918. Her service concluded on 14 January 1919.

World War I nurse — *Photo Credit: WaverleyCouncil*

A Return Home And New Chapter

Following her return, Beetham married Lieutenant Colonel Ross Blyth Jacob on 21 March 1919 after meeting during the voyage home. Jacob had served in the Gallipoli campaign.

The couple later settled in South Australia, where Jacob became a pastoralist and was listed in Who’s Who in Australia in 1929 and 1936. Their son, Kenneth Reginald Jacob, was born in May 1920.

Service Carried Through Generations

The family’s connection to wartime service continued into the next generation. Kenneth Reginald Jacob later served during World War II and was killed in action on the Kokoda Track on 30 August 1942.

During the same war, Beetham contributed to support efforts through her work with the Red Cross Society and the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund.

Beatrice Maud Beetham — *Photo Credit: FindAGrave*

Remembering A Bondi ANZAC Story

Beetham spent her later years in South Australia. She died on 21 April 1983 in Westbourne Park at the age of 91 and was cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery.

Records show her name appears as both Maud and Maude across historical documents.

As ANZAC approaches, Beetham’s life reflects the contribution of nurses who served overseas and continued supporting wartime efforts at home. Her connection to Bondi forms part of the suburb’s ANZAC history.

Published 24-Mar-2026

Bondi Reclaims Its Spirit with “The Bondi Feeling” Campaign

Major community recovery campaign “The Bondi Feeling”, has launched across Bondi, inviting Sydneysiders to return to the beach and rediscover the suburb’s irreplaceable energy, three months after the terror attack on 14 December 2025 that claimed 15 lives and left deep wounds across the community.

The Bondi Feeling campaign launched on 12 March, bringing together advertising, digital content, community events, local business support and a new visual identity commissioned from North Bondi illustrator Beck Feiner. Feiner’s distinctive hero graphic, capturing the salty, sun-soaked character of the Bondi community, will anchor the campaign’s creative across traditional and digital channels in the weeks ahead.

The campaign is a direct response to the economic and emotional impact felt by local businesses and residents following the December attack, which claimed 15 lives. Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce president Emmanuel Constantinou described the initiative as a welcome boost for a local economy that has felt the consequences of reduced foot traffic and visitor numbers in the months since. The campaign draws on the same sense of collective purpose that has characterised the community’s response throughout.

A Programme Built for the Community

The events calendar runs from now through winter, anchored by the Bondi foreshore and the suburb’s much-loved public spaces. Beachside DJ sessions run every Saturday until 30 April at various beach locations, keeping the seasonal energy alive into the cooler months. Bondi Firelight, one of the beach’s most distinctive annual events, returns on Thursday 9 April from 5.45pm at Bondi Beach South, with bonfires, marshmallows, music, fire dancers and a welcoming, alcohol-free atmosphere on the sand at dusk.

Movies at the Park screens on Saturday 28 March at Barracluff Park and again on Saturday 2 May in the Bondi Pavilion courtyard, with free popcorn, a 6pm start and How to Train Your Dragon playing under the open sky. Saturday at the Park, which features free coffee and gelato, face painting and a visiting petting zoo, takes place on Saturday 6 June during the King’s birthday long weekend in the Bondi Pavilion courtyard from 10am.

Bondi’s Enduring Character

Bondi takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning “sound of the waves breaking on the beach.” Settlement of the area dates from 1809, with more substantial growth taking place in the 1920s and 1930s as both permanent residents and holidaymakers were drawn to the coast. More than a century on, that draw remains as strong as ever. The promenade fills on weekend mornings regardless of the season.

The surf is in the water before most of Sydney is awake. The cafes along Campbell Parade turn over tables from dawn. The Bondi Farmers Market runs every Saturday at the Bondi Public School grounds. The Pavilion hosts everything from film festivals to community meetings. It is a suburb that does not require a reason to visit, which is precisely what The Bondi Feeling campaign is reminding people.

Why This Matters to the Bondi Beach Community

For residents and businesses of Bondi Beach, the campaign is a practical and emotional lifeline after one of the hardest periods the suburb has faced in living memory. The December attack struck at the heart of a community that gathers at the beach as naturally as breathing, and the impact on local businesses, visitor numbers and community confidence has been real and sustained.

The Bondi Feeling does not paper over that reality. It acknowledges it and responds to it by doing the most Bondi thing imaginable: filling the foreshore with music, bonfires, food, kids laughing and people showing up. For locals who have stayed close and held the suburb together through the past three months, the campaign is an invitation for the rest of Sydney to come back and join them.

All events are free. Full details on The Bondi Feeling campaign and the complete events calendar are available here.

Published 18-March-2026.

Consumer Warnings Issued Over Online Retail Claims Linked To Bondi Beach Attack

Photo Credit: Pexels

Consumers have been warned after online retailers made false claims linking their businesses to the Bondi Beach attack while promoting clothing and accessories sales.

False Bondi Beach Claims Raise Consumer Concerns

Authorities issued warnings after two online retailers were found to have made misleading claims about connections to the Bondi Beach attack.

In January 2026, the fashion retailer Isla & James attracted attention after promoting a closure sale that referenced the Bondi Beach attack. The site claimed one of its co-founders had been shot in the 14 December incident and presented itself as a Bondi Beach business.

Investigations later found no verified trading address in Bondi Beach and no evidence linking the retailer to a local business.

A separate warning was issued on 19 February 2026 concerning Bondi United, an online store selling clothing and accessories through the websites bondiunited.com and bondiproject.com. Authorities determined the business had made false claims suggesting links to the attack and support for victims.

Both Bondi United websites have since been taken offline.

How The Online Stores Attracted Buyers

The online promotions relied on emotional messaging linked to the Bondi Beach attack.

One customer reported spending $250 after seeing an advertisement connected to the tragedy and believing the purchase would support people affected by the event. The customer later said the order had not been delivered and that the items appeared likely to come from an e-commerce platform.

Authorities have warned that similar online retailers can appear convincing because websites may look sophisticated and include details that suggest a local connection.

Warning Signs For Online Shoppers

Consumer guidance highlights several indicators that a website may not represent a legitimate Australian retailer.

These signs can include the absence of an Australian business address, no listed phone number, no .au domain name, or an Australian Business Number that cannot be verified.

Consumer advocates also note that these stores may present large discounts that appear genuine, making it harder for shoppers to distinguish misleading offers from legitimate sales.

Bondi Beach scams — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Monitoring And Consumer Reporting

The websites connected to Isla & James and Bondi United have both been taken offline.

Bondi United has indicated it will provide refunds to consumers who contact the business requesting one.

Authorities have warned that traders removed from the internet may attempt to reappear under different web addresses. Consumers who are dissatisfied with their interactions with these businesses can lodge complaints with NSW Fair Trading or Service NSW, while suspicious stores linked to the Bondi Beach attack can also be reported to Scamwatch.

Published 16-Mar-2026

Prime Bondi Beachfront Site Set for $25 Million-Plus Auction

Photo Credit: Cushman & Wakefield

A prominent beachfront building in the heart of Bondi is expected to attract significant interest from developers and investors when it goes to auction next month, with an asking price exceeding $25 million.

The mixed-use property at 96 Campbell Parade sits directly across from Bondi Beach and comprises a ground-floor retail space plus six residential apartments above, occupying a 430-square-metre site.

According to Cushman & Wakefield’s listing materials, the property represents one of the few remaining freehold assets available along the beachfront stretch of Campbell Parade. The real estate agents handling the sale, Miron Solomons and Matt Pontey from Cushman & Wakefield, have scheduled a public auction for 21 April 2026.

The building’s appeal to potential buyers lies not only in its enviable location but also in its development possibilities. The property is zoned E1 Local Centre under Waverley Council regulations, with a 3:1 floor space ratio and 15-metre height limit.

The site has an interesting ownership history within Sydney’s hospitality scene. Property records indicate it was previously owned by John Hemmes — father of pub and hospitality entrepreneur Justin Hemmes — and his wife Merivale. The Hemmes family sold the property in 2012 for $7.8 million to its current owners, a private company called 7TH Wave, owned by George and Christine Penklis.

John Hemmes, who passed away in 2015, founded the Merivale hospitality business alongside his wife. Their son Justin has since expanded the enterprise into a billion-dollar portfolio spanning New South Wales, Victoria and Byron Bay.

The building previously housed a Commonwealth Bank branch in its ground-floor retail space.

With holding income from existing tenants and the potential for future redevelopment, the property offers buyers both immediate returns and long-term strategic value in one of Sydney’s most sought-after coastal locations.

Published 6-March-2026

Quinn Darragh Is Swimming Through the Night at Bondi to Shine a Light on Organ Donation

Editor’s Note: Quinn’s swim has been moved to 21 March due to the weather.

Quinn Darragh has spent years keeping Bondi’s swimmers safe but this March, the lifeguard best known for his role on Bondi Rescue is asking the ocean to carry him for a change. Swimming continuous laps between North and South Bondi through the night and into the next day, Quinn is attempting what organisers describe as a record breaking feat of continuous ocean swimming never before achieved in Australia, all to raise awareness for organ donation and transplant recovery.

Read: Hope for Hartley: Bondi Families Come Together to Raise Awareness of CDKL5

On 13 March, Darragh will enter the water at his home beach and not come out for 24 hours. No rest. No breaks. Just 24 relentless hours in the open ocean. Quinn is a familiar face at Bondi. A career lifeguard, he has spent his career as a lifeguard at Bondi Beach. But over the past year, it’s been Quinn who needed watching over.

Less than 12 months ago, he underwent a life saving liver transplant after being diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), an incurable autoimmune disease. His body initially rejected the donor organ, and what followed was a gruelling period of complications, setbacks and an extensive road to recovery.

The challenge is exactly what it sounds like: no rest, no breaks, just Quinn pinballing back and forth across Bondi Beach for 24 hours straight. Day and night. In the open ocean.

Organisers describe it as a record never before achieved in Australia, a continuous 24 hour ocean swim. For a man still well within his first year post transplant, deciding to take on such a physical challenge speaks to the resolve that carried him through recovery.

According to his fundraising page, his body initially rejected the donor organ after surgery, and he fought through complications, setbacks and an extensive road to recovery. Now, rather than slowing down, he has chosen to use his recovery as a platform for two causes close to his heart.

The Causes

The first is organ donation awareness. Through his swim, Quinn is supporting the Liver Foundation and Gift of Life Foundation, two organisations focused on organ donation awareness and transplant support, while encouraging Australians to understand the life saving power of donation. His advocacy is grounded in lived experience: without a donor, there is no swim, no recovery, no story to tell.

The second cause is Ocean Heroes, a charity that delivers free surfing events and ocean experiences to autistic and neurodiverse communities across Australia. Quinn has been a long time supporter of the organisation, and funds raised through his swim will go directly toward keeping those programs free and accessible for neurodivergent individuals and their families.

It’s a pairing that reflects who Quinn is. A husband, father of three, and devoted lifeguard, he has spent his career at Bondi giving back to the community around him. This time, he’s asking that community to give something back.

Read: Bondi Hero Ahmed Al Ahmed Receives City’s Highest Honour

At time of writing, Quinn’s fundraising page on GiveNow had already raised more than $7,000. Every dollar raised supports Ocean Heroes’ programs and organ donation awareness initiatives through the Liver Foundation and Gift of Life Foundation.

Published 6-March-2026