A bitter housing stoush between old and new is dividing Sydney’s most iconic beach suburb, with long-term Bondi residents fearing the government’s density push will turn their neighbourhood into a version of Surfers’ Paradise, at the same time as developers are keen to cash in on the highly sought-after area. The Bondi beachfront has been earmarked for mid-rise housing that could reach eight storeys in an area once better known for its trademark ‘two-up, two-down’ apartments and backpacker accommodation, prompting residents to worry about the impact new builds may have on the local character. Shirley Alexander is among the long-time residents concerned about mid-rise developments in the Bondi Basin.
Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Among the residents who have raised concerns with the housing proposal is former UTS deputy vice-chancellor Shirley Alexander, who believes an influx of housing would be developed as luxury beachfront properties that would price young families - including her daughter and three grandchildren - out of Bondi. “We’re not against development, but we want to keep our [demographic and housing] diversity,” Alexander said. “No one wants to flock to Surfers Paradise because it’s a high-rise area and not a desirable place to be.
” Up to 2400 new homes are expected to be delivered by 2029 across the Waverley council area, which includes Bondi, Bronte and parts of Vaucluse, as part of statewide rezoning reforms for town centres and transport hubs.
