An invitation to What’s Next For Waverley
We’re hitting the ground running in 2025, with two exciting February public forums: WHAT’S NEXT FOR WAVERLEY? on 13th February and NEIGHBOURHOODS OF THE NORTHERN BEACHES in late February.
The public forum, you may recall, is stage one of a three-stage Citizen’s Assembly process that culminates in a Citizens’ Charter for Planning. Just imagine! Cities shaped by our real, deeply held values!
Our first public forum was last October’s very successful CURATING KU-RING-GAI, where over a hundred people were so keen to keep discussing local city-making that we finally had to turn the lights out to get them to leave! We frame the forums not to push a particular city-making agenda but to test public support for the Citizens’ Assembly as a path to productive consensus. CURATING KU-RING-GAI generated 90% support!
The next two public forums will follow a similar format, with the first hour devoted to an array of short speeches and the second half an open Q&A from the floor, and a before-and-after poll to bookend the evening.
Waverley is a very diverse electorate, from the high-rise of Bondi Junction to the leafy streets of Queens Park and the coastal delights of Bondi and Bronte. Many people believe Waverley is “full” – yet the NSW government’s housing targets propose an extra 2,400 dwellings by 2029. How and where should these be accommodated? How can we direct this growth to make Waverley more affordable, more sustainable and more beautiful?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WAVERLEY? will ask how to balance the need for density, and the relentless demands of coastal tourism, against the need to protect local ecosystems, enhance affordability, increase tree canopy, nurture biodiversity, fight climate change and generate walkable lifestyles.
We have an exciting lineup of speakers including:
Wendy Harmer (moderator)
Sara Stace, President Better Streets
Mora Main, Nature Conservation Council planning working group
Philip Thalis, architect, urbanist, AIA 2024 Gold Medalist
Emeritus Professor Shirley Alexander AM
Richard Walsh (‘Reboot ; A democracy makeover to empower Australia's voters')
Philip Graus, architect & local
Luke Stewart, planner and local resident
Iain Walker, New Democracy Foundation
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WAVERLEY? will be held at the Bondi Pavilion on Thursday 13th February, 6-8pm. Tickets are free but going fast! We do hope you’ll join us on the night.