Waverley Council this month voted not to proceed with the Streets as Shared Spaces (SASS) Trial at Hall Street, Bondi Beach, also known as Destination Hall Street.
Instead, a report will go to Council in February 2023 detailing a community and business consultation and engagement strategy to determine parameters for a full streetscape upgrade of Hall Street between Glenayr Avenue and Campbell Parade.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos said the Council looks forward to continuing to work with businesses in the area and the community on ways to transform Hall Street into a pedestrian-friendly space with outdoor dining, street gardens and resting places for the community to enjoy.
"Whilst the Destination Hall Street trial won't be going ahead as planned, Council will use these next few months to investigate how an upgrade can best meet the needs of people who live and work in and around Hall Street, and look more closely at traffic solutions generated from a local area traffic study," Mayor Masselos said.
"We look forward to working with our local businesses and the community on ways we can transform Hall Street and this feedback will help inform the direction of any future streetscape upgrade of this popular retail and dining precinct."
At the September 2022 Council meeting, Council voted to:
That Council:
1. Does not proceed with the Streets as Shared Spaces (SASS) Trial at Hall Street, Bondi Beach, also known as Destination Hall Street and notifies the Precincts, Chamber of Commerce, community and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Continues, as a matter of urgency, an expanded local area traffic study bounded by Warners Avenue, Blair Street from Warners Avenue to Wairoa Avenue, Wairoa Avenue, Campbell Parade, Francis Street and Old South Head Road, with officers to prepare a report to Council.
3. Brings forward $100,000 in funding from the 2023–2024 Long Term Financial Plan to commence consultation and concept designs for a full streetscape upgrade between Glenayr Avenue and Campbell Parade.
4. Receives a report at the February 2023 Council meeting that:
(a) Details a community and business consultation and engagement strategy to determine parameters for a full streetscape upgrade of Hall Street between Glenayr Avenue and Campbell Parade.
(b) Considers a shared 10 km/h zone in O'Brien Street between Hall Street and Roscoe Street and in Gould Street between Curlewis and Hall Street.
(c) Considers upgrading the small plaza at the intersection of Glenayr, O'Brien and Hall Streets. (d) Aligns with the:
(i) Our Liveable Places Strategy 2022–2036.
(ii) People, Movement and Places Strategy.
(iii) Sustainable Visitation Strategy 2019–2024.
(iv) Creative Lighting Strategy 2018–2028.
(v) Cultural Diversity Strategy 2021–2031.
(vi) Reconciliation Action Plan.
5. Investigates the addition of some parklets, other measures to strengthen economic viability in Hall Street and surrounding streets, and improvements to pedestrian safety, amenity and accessibility in Hall Street, east of Glenayr Avenue. This could include consideration of 'long weekend' temporary upgrades for Hall Street (east) to attract pedestrians to the area following COVID-related lockdowns.
Division For the Motion: Crs Betts, Burrill, Fabiano, Gray, Kay, Keenan, Lewis, Masselos and Wy Kanak. Against the Motion: Crs Goltsman and Nemesh.
