Residents concerned about the future of Bondi Junction are calling for greater transparency as Waverley progresses a draft Vision and Master Plan that could reshape the suburb over the coming decades.
Read: Bondi Junction Growth Plan Signals Big Changes for Sydney’s East
The proposal has attracted significant community attention, with many residents acknowledging the need to plan for future housing while also seeking more detailed information about how the changes could affect the character and liveability of the area.
Those concerns came to the forefront during a recent public meeting, where a packed gallery questioned aspects of the draft plan, the consultation process, and the information made available to the community.
The Draft Vision and Master Plan
The draft Vision and Master Plan sets out Waverley’s long-term vision for Bondi Junction, aiming to create a more vibrant, connected and sustainable town centre. According to the local authority, the plan builds on community feedback gathered over several years, with residents identifying a desire for improved public spaces, stronger connections between neighbourhoods, a more active evening economy and development outcomes that support the community.
As part of the vision, the plan identifies opportunities for increased housing around Bondi Junction’s transport hub, with around 3,000 additional homes proposed over time.
Public consultation on the draft plan opened in May and concluded on 24 June, giving residents nine weeks to review the proposal and provide feedback before the next stage of the planning process.
Despite supporting the need for long-term planning, several residents argued they did not have enough information to fully assess the proposal. Community representative Catharine Munro said visual material released during consultation did not provide an accurate representation of the plan’s potential impacts. She called for additional three-dimensional modelling and shadow studies to help residents better understand how future development may affect surrounding streets and public spaces.
Labor representative Margaret Merten supported making the additional material available, saying many residents recognised both the need for a master plan and Sydney’s housing challenges. However, she said community members were simply asking for more detailed information to help them make informed submissions.
In a split vote, the Liberal-controlled administration decided not to release the additional modelling and shadow diagrams.
The meeting also became increasingly tense as some members of the public raised concerns about governance, transparency and potential conflicts of interest. During public addresses, comments were made questioning whether elected representatives had links to the property industry.
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Mayor Will Nemesh rejected those suggestions, saying the claims were incorrect and cautioning against potentially defamatory statements. He has previously declared his employment in planning and public affairs with Fivex Commercial Property, which leases commercial and retail properties across Sydney but has no listings within the Waverley local government area. He has also declared investment properties in Double Bay and Balmain.
As discussion continued, interruptions from the public gallery prompted Deputy Mayor Keri Spooner to remind attendees that respectful behaviour was expected inside the chamber. Some residents later walked out while the mayor was speaking, expressing frustration with the handling of the proposal.
Mr Nemesh said the Vision and Master Plan represents only the first stage of a much longer planning process. He said it would be followed by a planning proposal process requiring extensive analysis before any changes could occur.
He also said adopting a master plan would allow Waverley to have a say in the area’s future rather than do nothing.
With the consultation period now complete, submissions will be reviewed before the next steps for the Vision and Master Plan are determined. Many submissions focused on the amount of information available during consultation and how future growth should be planned.
Published 27-June-2026
