Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape

Item details


Name of item:	Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape
Other name/s:	Bondi Beach, Bondi Surf Pavilion and Bondi Park, Bondi Surf Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Club.
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Landscape - Cultural
Category:	Other - Landscape - Cultural
Location:	Lat: -33.8909722343 Long: 151.2767372210
Primary address:	Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Waverley
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	La Perouse

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
CROWN LAND			500048
PART LOT	1746	DP	726692
PART LOT	1749	DP	728661
LOT	1	DP	911546

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Queen Elizabeth Drive	Bondi Beach	Waverley	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Bondi Beach, Bondi Park, Bondi Surf Pavilion, and the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club building form a cultural landscape of State significance as an iconic representation of the Australian beach experience. The place is historically significant as the site of many 'firsts' and other significant events in surf lifesaving, and as the largest beach improvement scheme to be carried out in the interwar years. The place demonstrates the rapid increase in popularity of beach-going once restrictions on surf bathing were eased in the early 20th century. The place is of social and aesthetic significance as a landmark, recognised internationally as a symbol of Australia's popular beach culture. While the Bondi Surf Pavilion has been modified over time, the relationship of the building to the promenade and beach, as well as the park and its intact features (including two concrete pedestrian bridges with standard lamps, the promenade, and numerous pathways in original locations), retains its integrity to the 1928 beach improvement design.
	Date significance updated: 23 Sep 05
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Pavilion - Robertson and Marks (Leith C. McCredie, architect). Bondi SLSC - c.1934 Ross & Rowe.
Builder/Maker:	Bondi Pavilion: John Howie & Sons.
Physical description:	Bondi Beach is located between Ben Buckler Head and McKenzie Point, and is approximately one kilometre long and ranges in width from 50m at the north end to 100m at the south end. Bondi Park is bounded by Campbell Parade to the west and Queen Elizabeth Drive and Bondi Beach to the east. The park is largely grassed, with a number of picnic shelters, walkways, and tree plantings. Situated within the park, the Bondi Surf Pavilion is the dominant architectural feature in the immediate vicinity of Bondi Beach. The Bondi Surf Pavilion is constructed in the Mediterranean/Georgian revival style and consists of a central double storey structure fronted by a single storey arched colonnade and flanked by single storey wings at either end with colonnaded walls surrounding two internal courtyards. The walls are cement rendered masonry, the floors are reinforced concrete and timber, the roof is timber framed with concrete roof tiles, and the windows and doors are timber framed and glazed. The joinery at the northeastern end of the building is original. The Bondi Surf Pavilion currently includes a theatre, a gallery, an amphitheatre, a basketball court, several meeting rooms, a restaurant, change rooms and toilets. Also located within Bondi Park are the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Club buildings.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	2007 - The preliminary matters of concern arising from a detailed condition report commissioned by Waverley Council include the presence of lead paint, the noncompliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) of the theatre in terms of egress and fire control, and the rusting of a number of major structural beams. An external visual inspection made by Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners for the purposes of this nomination found the condition of the Bondi Surf Pavilion and the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club Building to be generally satisfactory, and that routine maintenance is carried out. There are no aspects of the physical condition of the building which affect the significance of the pavilion. The landscaped area of Bondi Park, including the picnic shelters and footpaths, were the subject of an upgrade in late 2003 and are generally in fair condition. The archaeological potential of the study area has not been assessed in detail. There is some scope for archaeological remains to provide information on earlier structures, such as the early bathing sheds, located in the area of Bondi Park.
	Date condition updated:20 Jul 07
Modifications and dates:	Changes to the Bondi Surf Pavilion building included the following: - 1931 Erection of outdoor auditorium which incorporated the caretaker's quarters in the first floor; - c 1942 Groynes demolished as part of wartime preparation of Bondi Beach for defence against enemy landings; - 1948 Two additional exits and stairways, emergency exit lights, additional lavatory accommodation, fire fighting equipment, and ventilation to the ballroom in order to obtain a licence under the Theatre and Public Halls Act; - 1955 Tenders called for operation of the Bondi Surf Pavilion. Description in tender documents stated that the pavilion had been recently renovated and was in a good state of repair. Further details are not known; - 1968 Reconstruction of walls of the Bondi Surf Pavilion for structural reasons; - 1972-75 Former ballroom converted to theatre; - 1977-78 Change rooms, lockers, Turkish baths, courtyard demolished and replaced by large grassed area, amphitheatre, netball court, workshops for craft classes, art gallery, child care centre, two gymnasiums, restaurant as part of conversion of pavilion to a community centre; - Unknown date (probably in the 1970s) Reversal of auditorium (audience seating moved from west of pavilion to inside pavilion courtyard); - 1980 Courtyard walls painted with murals along the theme of 'Bondi the Beautiful' based on 1920s images of Bondi; - 1985 Ceramic murals installed in foyer of the Bondi Surf Pavilion; and - 1980s Semi-circular pergola constructed to south of the Bondi SurfPavilion. Recent changes from 2002 to 2005 to the Bondi Surf Pavilion included thefollowing: - Repainting of the pavilion and construction of new forecourt; - Glazed semi-circular addition to northern end of pavilion to house seafood restaurant; - Building constructed in south courtyard; - Fenestration to northern end of east faade restored; - Stormwater pipes fixed; - Alterations for gelato bar at southern end of east side; and - Foundation stone relocated. Changes to the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club building included the following: - 1951 Additions to provide a gear room; - 1970s/1980s Additional rooms constructed to south-west of original building; mezzanine level added, first floor extended to east; and - 2003 New boat shed. Changes to the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club included the following: - 1950 Observation Room completed; - 1978 Demolition of top floor of building, to be replaced by a 'VIP room'; and - 2006 Development Approval granted for works which will substantially alter the external appearance of the building. (Works not yet commenced - January 2007). Changes to the Bondi Park included the following: - 1970s Pipe handrails along Queen Elizabeth Drive replaced; pathway paving rehabilitated; - 1980s Pavilion forecourt area reconstructed; and - 2003 Moulded concrete skate park (in place of earlier skate ramp in southern section of park); also landscape works including new pathways. 10/2013 Marine Discovery Centre at Bondi Pavilion closed. Waverley Councli call for expressions of interest for the space.
Further information:	Other harbour and ocean beaches in NSW where interwar beautification and/or improvement schemes were carried out by local authorities include Balmoral, Cronulla, Manly, Nobbys and Bar beaches (Newcastle), North and South beaches (Wollongong), Thirroul, The Entrance and Foster. Extant pavilions of significance dating to the interwar period include the following: - Manly Cove Pavilion - Mediterranean style, two storey, tiled roof, with colonnade and tile inlay decoration; located on the harbour side of Manly; - Balmoral Bathers Pavilion - Mediterranean style, two storey, located on popular harbour beach in landscaped setting with associated rotunda; - Cronulla Beach Surf Pavilion - Interwar Stripped Classical style, adjacent surf club house constructed at the same time (1940); - Bar Beach Surf Pavilion - accommodated 600 visitors, contained surf club and kiosk, Spanish Mission and Art Deco styles, completed in 1933; - North Beach Bathing Pavilion - Interwar Functionalist style, completed in 1938, single storey central pavilion with open-roofed dressing areas on either side; - Newport and Freshwater Beaches - Mediterranean style pavilions with shared dressing and surf live savers' accommodation; and - At The Entrance, a Mediterranean style surf life saving clubhouse was built in 1936 and designed as a pavilion to accommodate public changing rooms.


Current use:	Pavilion - Cultural Centre, theatre, gallery, amphitheatre (open air cinema).
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, bathing pavilion[dressing cubicles/Turkish baths/dining rooms/ballroom/shops/sunbaking]

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal Sydney:
When Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet landed, first in Botany Bay and then in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), in January 1788, he was met by people who had lived on this land for many thousands of years. At least 1,500 people lived in the area between Botany Bay and Broken Bay and the intermediate coast (Attenbrow, n.d.)

There were two main languages spoken in the Sydney region - Darug and Tharawal. The Darug language had two main dialects - one spoken along the coast and the other in the hinterland (west of present-day Parramatta). Tharawal was spoken to the south of Botany Bay and as far west as the Georges River and possibly Camden (ibid, n.d.)

People belonged to small groups (territorial clans) through which they were spiritually related to specific tracts of land - these clans included the Gadigal, Wanngal, Gamaragal, Wallumedegal and Boromedegal. The suffix 'gal' denotes 'people of', thus, for example, the Gadigal were the people of Gadi (also spelled Cadigal and Cadi respectively) (ibid, n.d.).

The 'district of Gadi' was reported to have stretched from South Head west to 'the cove adjoining this settlement' (Darling Harbour) - an area that would have included Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks. Watkin Tench referred to the Gadigal as 'those who reside in the bay of Cadi'. The 'bay of Cadi' is probably Kutti, the Aboriginal place name recorded for present-day Watsons Bay, and the present name of a small beach in the bay (ibid, n.d.).

The Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan contains the following report that provides in depth detail of the pre-colonial history of the lands that are present day Centennial Parklands, which is where the text on this page comes from: Pre-colonial Aboriginal land and resource use in Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks - assessment of historical and archaeological evidence for Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan (ibid, n.d.).

Waverley:
Waverley took its name from the title of a book by the famous Scottish author and poet, Sir Walter Scott. Its connection with the suburb of Waverley comes through Barnet Levey (or Levy, 1798-1837) who came to Sydney in the 1820s to visit his brother. When he saw how prosperous the city was becoming, Levey decided to settle here and set up a business as a general merchant. In 1831 he was granted 60 acres in the area bounded by the present Old South Head Road, Birrell Street, Paul Street and Hollywood Avenue. He must have occupied the land before the official grant because he built himself a substantial two story home on Old South Head Road in 1827, naming it Waverley House after the book by his favourite author. As time passed the house became a distinctive landmark and gave its name to the surrounding district, which was simply called Waverley. Levey established Sydney's first permanent theatre behind his shop in George Street. His projects consumed all his money, and when he died in 1837 he left a widow and four children in poverty. In 1837 the house was taken over for a Catholic school or orphanage, but it was demolished early in the 20th century.

Waverley municipality was proclaimed in 1859. By the 1880s trams were running to the beaches in the Eastern Suburbs and Waverley became a popular picnic spot. Waverley Park had a splendid oval, used by the established Waverley District Cricket Club.

Waverley Cemetery was established in 1877 on the site of the old tram terminus, on a beautiful site near the ocean. It houses many historically notable people.

The 1866 NSW Gazetteer described Waverley as having Clough's Windmill, Allan's Soap Works, Dickson's Soap and Candle Works and Scott's Blacking and Fireworks Factory. There were also four quarries producing excellent freestone. Today however, it is an attractive residential suburb, just west of Tamarama Beach (Pollen & Healy, 1988, 266-7)

Bondi Beach:
Bondi Beach and Bondi Park were part of the Bondi Estate originally granted to William Roberts in 1810. Although the area was in private ownership, the use of the beach by the public was made permissible by the owners from 1855, and the foreshore lands became popular as a picnicking and pleasure resort.

In 1882, an area of 25 acres at Bondi Beach was dedicated as a public reserve. Early improvements following the dedication included baths opened c1889, bathing sheds were erected in 1903, and a weatherboard shed for the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club was built in 1907. The Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Club were founded in 1906, and are two of the oldest surf clubs in Australia. The present clubhouse of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club was constructed in 1934, and the present club house of the North Bondi Surf Club was opened in 1933.

A number of improvements ensued. In 1911, bathing sheds accommodating 750 men and 250 women were opened, described as the "finest bathing accommodation of any of the ocean beaches" (Sydney Morning Herald 14 February 1911, p. 9). A shed for the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was provided in the same year. Between 1911 and 1920, the sea wall at Bondi Beach was constructed. Funded by the State Government, the work was carried out by the Public Works Department. The wall was an early attempt to control the drifting sand problem experienced at Bondi, but only met with partial success. In 1924 the sand dunes at the north of the beach caused the sea wall to fail.

In 1923, Waverley Council implemented a Bondi Beach and Park Improvement Scheme. An open competition called on designers to provide a kiosk and surf sheds, three lavatory blocks with separate accommodation for males and females, a band stand, layout of the park surrounding the buildings, increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic capacity and elimination of cross traffic over the Marine Drive and Promenade. The architectural firm of Robertson and Marks won the competition with a design which was semicircular in plan, with a circular core, and a Classical style elevation to the beach. This design, as well as improvements to the park and ancillary structures, including car parks, radiating paths, and bridges, was estimated to cost (Pounds)100,000. Encountering difficulties in funding the project, in 1926 Waverley Council instructed Robertson and Marks to revise their scheme to include fund raising elements, such as baths. The plans for the park, sea wall, and traffic provisions were further amended on the basis of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the scheme held by the Department of Local Government. The Inquiry accepted the revised scheme in 1927, and Waverley Council secured a loan of (Pounds)120,000 from the Commonwealth Bank for the construction of the scheme. A further (Pounds)40,000 was borrowed in 1930 in order to complete the scheme. By the standards of the time, the scale and cost of the Bondi Beach Improvement Schemes was a unprecedented undertaking for a local Council in NSW. The foundation stone marking the commencement of construction of the improvement scheme was laid on 26th May 1928 by the Mayor of Waverley, Alderman David Hunter. The Bondi Surf Pavilion was sufficiently complete by December 1928 to allow the public to use the accommodation. Six months later, Turkish baths and hot water baths were opened. The official opening of the Bondi Beach Improvement Scheme was held on 21st December 1929 before 160,000 to 200,000 onlookers. In addition to the erection of the pavilion building, the scheme included the layout of a Marine Drive (now Queen Elizabeth Drive), bridges, carparking, promenade, and park plantings.

The implementation of the improvement scheme required the relocation of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club house to a point 100 yards north to where the present building is situated. Subsequently, a new club house, designed by Ross & Rowe, architects, was opened in 1934. The building was extended in the 1970s and 1980s. The Bondi Surf Pavilion offered, in addition to surf sheds and dressing accommodation, Turkish and hot water baths, retail premises, entertainment in the ballroom, cabaret theatre, and auditorium and dining. Bathing costumes, towels, lockers, and dressing cubicles were available for hire. The ground floor of the building originally held two courtyards, one for men and one for women, with individual changing booths constructed in rows in each. Tunnels leading from each courtyard led underneath Marine Parade to a pair of concrete groynes opening onto the beach. Owing to the outbreak of war in the Pacific, the two concrete groynes leading from the pavilion onto the beach were demolished in 1942, and the park area was secured by barbed wire.

In the post-World War II era, the Bondi Surf Pavilion experienced a decline as changes in bathing costumes (from heavy woollen costumes to nylon) eliminated the need for changing sheds. The rise in popularity of the motor car meant that individuals could visit any number of beaches; whereas in the pre-war years the Bondi tram ensured that Bondi Beach was a popular beach destination for the public. Although Bondi Surf Pavilion itself began to decline in its commercial prospects (Council reported an operating loss of (Pounds)17,000 for the year 1955), Bondi Beach itself was cemented in the national identity as the quintessential Australian beach, as evidenced by its selection as the location for the 1954 'Royal Command' Surf Carnival, held in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. In the 1950s and 1960s, the ground floor refreshment rooms were operated by lessees, while the main hall and auditorium were rarely used. In the 1970s, steps were taken to increase the community use of the pavilion. The theatre on the upper floor was officially opened by Gough Whitlam in 1975.

Demolition of the change rooms, lockers, former Turkish baths, and courtyard took place in 1977 to 1978 in order to create a netball court, an art gallery, gymnasiums, an amphitheatre and other facilities as part of Waverley Council's cultural program. The building was officially opened as the Bondi Surf Pavilion Community Centre in 1978 by the Premier of NSW, Neville Wran. Bondi Surf Pavilion still continues to be a community cultural centre, housing a theatre, a gallery, rehearsal, meeting and function rooms. The external arcades, change rooms and toilets continue to be used by visitors to the beach. Many arts, cultural, and film festivals take place at the pavilion throughout the year.

The Norfolk Island pine trees )Araucaria heterophylla) in Bondi Park began to die off in the late 1960s, and a Select (Parliamentary) Committee of Enquiry reviewed the problem in 1971, concluding that the death of the trees was the result of deleterious effects of off-shore pollutants introduced via the North Bondi sewerage outfall. The concrete lookout tower on the butt of the southern groyne was constructed in 1975, after the foundations of groynes were exposed during severe storms in late 1974. During the 1980s, $4 million was allocated for improvements in Bondi Park, including the erection of picnic shelters, reconstruction of the pavilion forecourt area and entrance to carparking at Queen Elizabeth Drive, and construction of a skateboard track. The sea wall and promenade were stabilised between 1987 and 1992. Further work was done in constructing new pathways and planting trees in Bondi Park in 1992.

Bondi Park is a Crown reserve that was dedicated for Public Recreation on 28th January 1938. Waverley Council was appointed trustee for the care control and management of the reserve, on behalf of the Minister for Lands, on that date. Subsequently, the Bondi Park (D.500048) Reserve Trust was established for the management of Bondi Park, with Waverley Council appointed to manage this trust on 12 April 1996. (Information from Department of Lands, 9.1.2007).

The Marine Discovery Centre at Bondi Pavilion (which opened there in 2008) closed in October 2013, being unable financially to continue. Waverley Council have called for expressions of interest for the space, citing a tourist information centre as one of several options being considered (McDonald, 2013).

In December 2015 Waverley Council released a concept design for a $38m upgrade of the Bondi Beach Pavilion, proposing a complete makeover of front and rear facades, new theatre seating for 200 with retractable seats and toilet and shower facilities. Designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer the upgrade aims to maximise use of under-used spaces for the 14 million visitors to the beach each year. Council is expected to inject $14m with the shortfall made up from federal and state government funds. A federal grant of $1m has been committed. The concept plan is on exhibition until February 2016 (Thompson, 2015, 4).

After much public outcry against a $38m plan to overhaul the pavilion by former Waverley Mayor Sally Betts, Waverley Council has approved a revised brief of a more modest upgrade to the pavilion (Echternach, 2018).

Plans to overhaul the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club have been given the green light, months before the beach's revamped (Bondi) Pavilion reopens to the public. Waverley Council's plan to upgrade the 1934 clubhouse, with better connections to the surrounding park and more space for female change rooms were approved by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel last night (Gorrey, 7/6/2022, 3).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Parks-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Park reserve-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Multi-national contacts with local communities-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Significant Places: How are significant places marked in the landscape of Parramatta by, or for, different groups?-Monuments and Sites
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of urban amenity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Providing a venue for significant events-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Urban landscapes inspiring creative responses-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing civic infrastructure and amenity-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Creating an icon-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Creating works of art-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Interwar Spanish Mission-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Holidaying near the sea-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Enjoying public parks and gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going swimming-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting lookouts and places of natural beauty-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Developing local clubs and meeting places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities	Providing public sporting facilities-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities	Surfing-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities	swimming-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities	Managing the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Bondi Beach is of State significance for its place in the history of beach swimming, surfing, and surf life saving in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. As attitudes toward surf bathing changed from a restricted and dangerous activity to that of a national pastime, Bondi Beach and the area of Bondi Park were the scene of numerous events in the history of beach-going in Australia which contributed greatly to the development of Australian beach culture, including: - Use as picnic grounds and pleasure resort from 1855; - Establishment of two of Australia's oldest surf life saving clubs: the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Club in 1906; - First use of the surf reel in life saving, by the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, 1907; - Location of the first Surf Life Saving Association titles competition in 1915; - 'Black Sunday', 6 February 1938, when five people drowned at Bondi Beach and hundreds were rescued after a series of waves crashed into the beach - the largest ever rescue on one day. This is remembered as "one of the most significant and tragic days in the history of Australian life saving." Surf Life Saving Australia history fact sheet #7) The Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club as a whole was given a Special Meritorious Award by the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia for its bravery in the rescue work; and - 'Royal Carnival' - a national surf carnival was held at Bondi in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Other more recent events are also historic milestones, namely: - Demonstrating the worldwide esteem held for Bondi Beach, it was chosen as the site of the 2000 Olympics Beach Volleyball competition; - Bondi Beach was the location of the launch of the 'Year of the Surf Life Saver' (2007) as 5,000 red and yellow flags were set out on the beach in commemmoration of the centenary of surf life saving and 500,000 lives saved by rescuers; and - Bondi Beach is also the destination of the annually 'City to Surf' fun run competition. The Bondi Surf Pavilion and Bondi Park are components in Waverley Council's (Pounds)160,000 Bondi Beach Improvement Scheme, brought about by the immense popularity of the beach for recreation in the 1920s. The improvement scheme was an unprecedented undertaking for a local government authority at the time, and historically representative of the importance placed on bathing and the beach as a recreational amenity for the population of the state, not only the local area. The improvement scheme is a landmark in the history of urban design in NSW because of its ambitious scale.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Bondi Beach is of State significance for its considerable aesthetic appeal for its width, the gentle slope of the sand, its crescent shape, and the headlands which define its northern and southern points. The scale of the beach and its relationship with the foreshore development, including Bondi Park, Bondi Surf Pavilion, Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club building and the North Bondi Surf Club, form a cultural landscape which is a landmark of not only the Sydney region, but an iconic image of Australia, recognised internationally as a symbol of Australia and the attractions of the country. Within the context of Bondi Beach, the Bondi Surf Pavilion is of State significance as the largest and most resolved example of a beach pavilion in NSW, and continues to be so to this day.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The Bondi beach Cultural landscape is of State significance because Bondi Beach, together with the Bondi Surf Pavilion, Bondi Park, the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Club buildings, represents at a national level the culture of beach bathing which has dominated past and present the popular image of the Australian outdoors lifestyle. In this context it is an icon regularly seen in works of art and promotional material, such as the widely-known Max Dupain photographs, Sunbaker (1937) and Form at Bondi (1939). Bondi Beach and its associated attractions are of outstanding significance to the state as one of the most popular destinations for international and domestic visitors to Sydney. Particularly amongst travellers from the UK and Ireland, Bondi Beach has attained a mythic status as the traditional place for international visitors to spend Christmas Day, when usually up to 40,000 people visit the beach (cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/beach). A 2005 survey of 15,000 British holiday-makers conducted by the travel company Trailfinders showed that Bondi Beach was the "favourite beach in the Pacific" (Tourism Australia, "Australia 'Favourite Country' in UK Survey"). A study carried out for Tourism NSW showed that in 1999, 34% of visitors to Sydney went to Bondi Beach, making it the most highly visited Sydney attraction outside of the CBD. ('The Sydney Day Tours Market: a sector overview', by The Stafford Group, June 2001.) Bondi Beach is held in very high esteem by the people of NSW as a place to visit and as a symbol of the Australian way of life.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape demonstrates rarity at the State level as The Bondi Surf Pavilion is the largest surf beach pavilion to be constructed in Sydney, examplifying the enormous growth in popularity of surf bathing of the 1920s and 1930s, a period during which many beachside beautification and improvement schemes were carried out by local and State authorities. The use of Bondi Beach in depictions of the quintessential Australian beach lifestyle in popular culture and works of art is unparalleled by any other beach in Australia. The association of Bondi Beach with two of the earliest surf life saving clubs in Australia, and the important role played by the clubs in the development of the Australian surf life saving movement, is a rare attribute, matched only by Manly Beach.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape is State significant for its ability to represent alll of the elements which are typical of the Australian beach: a pavilion for public changing rooms, surf life saving club(s), wide expanse of sand, grassy park for picnicking, a promenade/marine drive, and the availability of ocean swimming. Bondi Beach, Bondi Park, and the Bondi Surf Pavilion form an excellent representation of Australian popular beach culture. The Bondi Surf Pavilion is representative of a class of buildings found frequently along the coast of NSW, and is of State significance as the largest, most resolved example of the type.
Integrity/Intactness:	Bondi Beach: Highly intact Bondi Park: Although pathways have been resurfaced, the layout of Bondi Park is substantially intact. Bondi Surf Pavilion: Although modified substantially in the 1970s and the subject of recent modern additions to the east facade, the building retains its external form and, to an extent, the internal courtyards. The modifications made to the planning and use of the internal spaces detract somewhat from the significance of this component; however, the architectural scale and resolution of the exterior of the building are of sufficient strength to enable the building's aesthetic character to be understood. Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club Building: Although added to in the 1970s and 1980s, the building substantially retains its original external appearance
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	CMP - Final Review - Stage 1 and 2 checklist review - ISSUE F
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Part 3 of 3 CMP - Bondi Surf Life Saving Club CMP for review towards endorsement
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Cultural Landscape CMP (part 2 of 3 part CMP for Endorsement).
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	(A) General maintenance and repair: (i) Pruning of 20 to 30% of the canopy of trees within a 2 year period as recommended by a qualified arborist and approved by Council’s Tree Management Officer for the tree's health or public safety reasons. (ii) Minor works to improve public access, provide disabled access and to eliminate or reduce risks to public safety. (iii) Repair of damage caused by erosion and implementation of erosion control measures. (iv)Maintenance, repair and resurfacing of existing roads, paths, fences and gates. (v)Maintenance and repair of any building, structure, monument or work within the parkland, including temporary relocation for conservation or protection. (vi)Upgrade of services where Waverley Council is satisfied that the activity will not materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area in which they are to be undertaken. (B) Maintenance of services and utilities: (i) Maintenance and repair of existing services and public utilities including communications, gas, electricity, water supply, waste disposal, sewerage, irrigation and drainage. (ii) Upgrade of services and public utilities where the Waverley Council is satisfied that the activity will not materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area in which they are to be undertaken. (iii) Installation, maintenance and removal of waste bins to implement Waverley Council’s waste management policies. © Management of lawns, recreation areas and plantings: (i) Removal and replacement of existing plantings other than trees. (ii) Removal of dead or dying trees. (iii) Removal, construction or alteration of garden beds, hard landscaping and plantings where the activity will not materially effect the heritage significance of the Bondi Beach area as a whole or the area in which they are to be undertaken. (iv) Routine horticultural maintenance, including lawn mowing, cultivation and pruning. (D) Management of interpretive, information and directional signage: (i) Installation, removal and alteration of interpretative, information and directional signage and labels in accordance with signage policies adopted by Waverley Council and/or Waverley Traffic Committee and/or the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (E) Management of artworks, statues and monuments: (i)Temporary installation of artworks, statues and monuments for temporary exhibitions or events. (ii)Installation, relocation and removal of artworks, statues and monuments to implement Council’s policies. (F) Activities undertaken in accordance with the Bondi Park and Pavilion Plan of Management adopted under the provisions of section 114 of the Crown Lands Act 1989, by the Honourable Kim Yeadon MP, on 24 November, 1995. (G) Management of temporary events: (i) Temporary use of sections of the Bondi Beach area, including Bondi Surf Pavilion, Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club and Bondi Park, temporary road closures and the installation of temporary buildings, structures, fencing, facilities, exhibitions, artworks, crowd control barriers, stages, lighting, sound and public address equipment and signage for a period not exceeding 6 months where Waverley Council is satisfied that the activity will not affect critical views to and from Bondi Beach or materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area in which the temporary events are to be undertaken. (H) Alterations of roads, pathways and fences: (i) Parking management measures to implement Waverley Council’s Transportation policies and/or the requirements of the Roads and Traffic Authority and/or Waverley Traffic Committee that will not materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area in which they are to be undertaken. (I) Alterations to buildings and/or works: (i) Minor alterations to buildings and/or works (including alterations to provide disabled access) which do not increase the area of a building and will not materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area in which they are to be undertaken (ii) Installation, relocation, removal and maintenance of park furniture in accordance with Council’s policies and Public Domain Improvement Plans. (J) Existing approved development: All works and activities in accordance with a current and valid development consent from Waverley Council or the Land and Environment Court in force at the date of gazettal for listing on the State Heritage Register: (i) Bondi Pavilion: DA-171/2000; DA-198/2006; DA-726/2005; DA-850/2003; DA-850/2003A; DA-850/2003B; DA-810/2004; DA-172/2004; DA-484/2003; DA-477/2003; and DA-465/2003. (ii) Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club: DA-630/2003 and DA-630/2003A. (iii) North Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club: DA-190/2003 (iv) Bondi Park: DA-808/2003 and DA-326/2003. (K) Alterations to existing recent development: All works and activities for minor alterations and additions to a current and valid development consent in force at the date of gazettal for listing on the State Heritage Register for the Bondi Beach area, including Bondi Surf Pavilion, Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club and Bondi Park where the Executive Director of the Heritage Office, Department of Planning, is satisfied that: (i) The proposed works are substantially the same as the development for which consent was originally granted, before any modifications to that consent, for the purpose of this exemption only; and (ii) The proposed works will not incrementally or materially increase the impact of the original development consent on significant elements or characteristics of the Bondi Beach area, including Bondi Surf Pavilion, Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club and Bondi Park, such as (but not limited to) its setting, tree canopy, curtilage, subdivision and ownership patterns, remnant significant fabric, relics, landscape and natural features, current and historic access routes to significant elements, views to and from the item and its significant features, and the capacity for interpretation of its significance; and (iii)The Executive Director of the Heritage Office has been notified in writing of the works proposed to be undertaken under this exemption prior to commencement of works, including details of the works and their location in the subject Precinct, and the Executive Director has provided written confirmation that the works are exempt. (L) Change of Use: The change of use of an item located in the Bondi Beach area where Waverley Council is satisfied that the use will not materially affect the heritage significance of the listed area as a whole or the area.	May 23 2008
CMP-Comment	Conservation Plan submitted for comment	CMP prepared - Council wish to have it endorsed. Enquiry re process, cost, timing.		Jul 20 2015
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Bondi Pavillion Conservation Management Plan		May 5 2016
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Bondi Pavilion (part 1 of 3) Revised CMP for Endorsement		Jul 25 2018
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01786	23 May 08	56	3998
Local Environmental Plan	Bondi Surf Pavilion	3/1 - 0240	06 Dec 96
Heritage study	Bondi Surf Pavilion	3/1 - 0240
National Trust of Australia register		10053
Register of the National Estate	Nom.01/07/1979	002473	28 Sep 82	AHC
National Heritage List	Bondi Beach		25 Jan 08	S18	1-3

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Waverley Heritage Study	1990	3/1 - 0240	Perumal Murphy P/L		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Attenbrow, Val		A pre-colonial history	View detail
Tourism	Attraction homepage	2009	Bondi Beach	View detail
Written	Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners	1997	Bondi Pavilion Surf Club & Surrounds, conservation analysis & conservation guidelines
Written	Conybeare Morrison Plus	2006	Campbell Parade East Upgrade, stage 3, Urban & Landscape Design - heritage impact statement
Written	Echternach, Erika`	2018	'Bondi Pavilion looks foward'
Written	Gorrey, Megan	2022	Planning body waves through Bondi surf club upgrade
Tourism	Heritage NSW Tourism site		Bondi Surf Pavillion and landscape	View detail
Written	Laughlin, Shaya	2016	'$13m pavilion work to be staged: report'
Written	Lawrence, Joan	1993	Eastern Suburbs Walks - Exploring the Suburbs
Written	Macdonald, Emily	2022	Oldest surf club's new look a hit - DA approved without objection
Written	Mayne-Wilson & Associates	2013	A History of Bondi Park & Pavilion
Written	Mayne-Wilson & Associates	2012	Bondi Park and Pavilion - Heritage Review
Written	McDonald, Shae	2013	'Site Set to Guide Tourists - Underwater World Closes'
Written	National Trust of Australia (NSW)	1985	Bondi beach Urban Conservation Area Listing Card
Written	National Trust of Australia (NSW)	1977	Bondi Surf Pavilion Listing Card
Written	NSW Heritage Office	2005	North Beach Precinct State Heritage Register Listing
Written	NSW Heritage Regsiter	2000	.
Written	Parkes-Hupton, Heath	2019	'Bondi Pavilion's $26m upgrade'
Written	Pollen, Frances & Healy, Gerald (ed.s, and contributors)	1990	'Waverley' entry in The Book of Sydney Suburbs
Written	Spearritt, Peter	1978	Sydney Since the Twenties
Written	Surf Life Saving Australia	2007	History Fact Sheets
Written	Thompson, Sean	2015	'Facelift for our great lady - Pavilion's $38m makeover'
Written	Various		Reports for Tourism NSW and Tourism Australia

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5055526
File number:	EF14/5781; H07/65, 09/590

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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