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Shell shocked.
Beach Shark Nets Doing More Harm Than Good
Words Duncan Horscroft Photo Troy Durante
Ongoing concerns that the shark nets off Bondi and Bronte Beaches are doing more harm than good have prompted a push to have them removed completely. In just one year, over 300 non-target marine species have suffered in the nets before dying.
According to figures from the Department of Primary Industries, during the 2021/22 season in NSW, 376 marine animals were caught in the nets, but only 51 were target species, with the rest comprising dolphins, rays, turtles and whales, often referred to as ‘bycatch’.
As the nets are only in place from October to March, the question must be asked, “Why are the nets there at all?”
Sharks are migratory creatures and can travel many thousands of miles, and they have been around since day dot.
At Bondi Beach, which is one kilometre long, and Bronte Beach, which is 220 metres long, the nets are 150 metres long, six metres high and are set to a depth of 10 metres. Animals can swim over or around these nets, so they don’t provide a physical barrier.
Recent reports suggested Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos was calling for the removal of the nets, but she was only responding to a request from the Department Of Primary Industries as part of a stakeholder consultation on preferred shark mitigation measures in NSW.
“Our priority is to keep people safe when swimming at our beaches, and that is why Council is investigating the introduction of shark spotting drones to be piloted by our lifeguards,” Councillor Masselos told The Beast.
“Unfortunately, people get a false sense of security when swimming as the nets are only in the water for six months of the year. The amount of non-target species being caught and killed in the nets is unacceptable.”
“The feedback Waverley Council provided as part of this (DPI) consultation is that we support shark mitigation options that minimise impacts on marine biodiversity while protecting our swimmers and surfers,” she said.
“This includes not supporting the continuation of shark meshing at Bondi and Bronte Beaches due to the devastating impacts on marine wildlife and there being more modern and effective technologies available to track and monitor sharks.”
“Shark nets were introduced in 1937 and we can do much better to help keep our swimmers safe with the 21st century tecnology we have available today.”
Earlier this year the State Government announced an additional $4.4 million to boost mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85 million to continue this strategy until 2026.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said at the time that shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed - but it was critical that the NSW Government does everything possible to reduce the risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year.
“The tragic event at Little Bay earlier this year was another reminder of the threat posed by sharks and the need to take steps to ensure we can coexist as safely as possible,” Mr Saunders said.
“We are not only announcing immediate additional response capabilities, including more Shark Listening Stations, SMART Drumlines and Rapid Response Vehicles, but we’re also committing to ongoing funding for future mitigation to protect our beachgoers for years to come.”
“We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also part of what makes NSW’s marine life so beautiful, so we need to make sure we continue to have state of the art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.”
“There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions, and our shark program is now the largest and most comprehensive in the world.”
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2019 Specialised Business Category winners, Let's Go Surfing.
Words Anthony Maguire Photo Craig Gill
The Waverley Brightest and Best Business Awards are back after a two year hiatus. Started in 2005, the Brightest and Best Business Awards were designed to recognise and reward Waverley’s 9,000 small businesses, which employ more than 26,000 people.
The Brightest and Best Business Awards are run by Waverley Council, which has already selected an exceptional list of finalists.
“The awards are a well-deserved accolade for our hard-working and innovative business community,” said Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos, who also explained that this year’s entries have seen a move away from bricks and mortar-based businesses.
“We’ve created a new category for digital and online businesses,” she told The Beast.
“Another new category this year is sustainability - it is important to recognise businesses that demonstrate a commitment to the environment and other principles of sustainability.”
In all, there are 11 categories covered by the awards. They include all the main retail areas such as food, beauty and health, along with professional services and creative industries.
Finalists receive a visit or call from a Council-designated ‘mystery shopper’ who comes up with a score based on criteria including marketing and communications, community engagement and innovation. Award winners are then selected by a panel of Council, business and community representatives.
An awards ceremony will be held in the newly-renovated Bondi Pavilion on November 21 to present prizes to the winning businesses that make our community a dynamic place to live, work and shop.
Prizes have been donated by local businesses and include a night’s penthouse accommodation with dinner and breakfast at The Blue Hotel, a $2,000 advertising campaign on Eastside Radio, four tickets to a Roosters game and a six month desk at the WOTSO workspace in Bondi Junction.
Waverley Council Agrees to Moratorium on Synthetic Turf
Words Anthony Maguire Photo Al Grassby
The State Government is currently producing guidelines for land managers on the use of synthetic turf. Waverley Council, which has a synthetic field at Waverley Park, placed a moratorium on the consideration of any new synthetic sports surfaces in 2021 while the State Government produces their strategic document on all factors involved in synthetic surfaces.
Since it was installed in 2016, there has been growing scientific and community opposition to the use of the artificial grass. Plastic particles leach into waterways and, at the end of the turf’s ten-year lifespan, it takes a long time to break down in landfill. Another burning issue is the way the turf heats up to temperatures where it cannot safely be used for sport.
At a meeting of Council’s Strategic Planning and Development Committee, a report by a firm of consultants was tabled stating that artificial sports fields are not environmentally friendly.
Council has been informed that synthetic field design has progressed since 2016 and that synthetic fields are no longer considered to release manmade materials into the environment.
Getting off the grass.
Finalists 2022
Waverley Council would like to congratulate our Brightest & Best finalists for 2022. After a competitive process, the first round of judging is now complete. The second round of judging is about to begin with winners to be announced at a glittering awards night on 21 November 2022 at Bondi Pavilion. Finalists 2022
General Retail Childcare Services & Education Hospitality Sustainability Waverley Council would like to Congratulate our Brightest & Best finalists for 2022. After a competitive process, the first round of judging is now complete. The second round of judging is about to begin to find our winners announced at a glittering awards night on 21 November 2022 at Bondi Pavilion. British Carpet Company Carology Smither Swimwear Sweetheart Florist Watertiger Baby Ballet Academy Bondi Kids Drama Expression Dance School Little Feet Early Learning & Childcare Set for School Flav Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore SHUK Bakery That English Pub Up South Bondi Bru Coffee Lemon Spring Eco Clean Little Feet Events Venla Resell+Relove Salvage
British Carpet Company Carology Smither Swimwear Beauty Services Digital & Online Sweetheart Florist Watertiger Innovation Artisan Food & Beverage
Baby Ballet Academy Bondi Kids Drama Expression Dance School Little Feet Early Learning and Childcare Set for School Flav Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore SHUK Bakery That English Pub Up South Bondi
AC FLO Casa Soleil - Tan Safe Q-Tox Bondi Junction Sage Beauty The Whitening Clinic Believe Advertising & PR Contour Cube EUX Digital Agency Highchair Catchy Music Health SMATA Technologies Jeeves.Plus To GET Hong Ha Red Roll Shuk Bakery
AC FLO Casa Soleil - Tan Safe Q-Tox Bondi Junction Creative Industries & Entertainment Professional ServicesSage Beauty The Whitening Clinic Health, Fitness & Wellness
Believe Advertising & PR Contour Cube EUX Digital Agency Highchair Catchy Music Health SMATA Technologies Jeeves.Plus Shop Local and Online
100 Percent Dance Bert Jewellery Limelight Australia Lockhart-Krause Architects Stephen Evans Art Studio Waverley Woollahra Art School Archi-QS Century 21 Armstrong-Smith Kwik Kopy Bondi Junction Sapphire Family Medical Practice LJ Hooker Bondi Beach / Bondi Junction Aim 4 Health Chiropractic & Wellness Fit n Able Supporting Fierce Warriors Immersia Freediving Leap Frogs Action Sports & Games Let’s Go Surfing Vrtus Bondi
Creative Industries & Entertainment Professional Services Health, Fitness & Wellness
100 Percent Dance Bert Jewellery Limelight Australia Lockhart-Krause Architects Stephen Evans Art Studio SponsorsWaverley Woollahra Art School Archi-QS Century 21 Armstrong-Smith Kwik Kopy Bondi Junction Sapphire Family Medical Practice LJ Hooker Bondi Beach / Bondi Junction Aim 4 Health Chiropractic Fit n Able Supporting Fierce Warriors Immersia Freediving Leap Frogs Action Sports and Games Let’s Go Surfing Vrtus Bondi
Sponsors
Back to her former glory.
Bondi Pavilion Reopens After $48 Million Revamp
Words Anthony Maguire Photo Annabel Osborne
There was music, dancing and a commitment to Indigenous tradition as Bondi Pavilion reopened in late September after a much-needed $48 million makeover.
Out the front of the building, Aboriginal elder Aunty Barb Simms gave a welcome to country and there was a performance by the Gamay Dancers from La Perouse. Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos then cut a blue ribbon strung across the Pavilion entrance, before guests streamed into the reimagined ‘Pav’ where they were entertained by local acts including musicians Krystal Rivvers in the downstairs High Tide Room, while upstairs in the bar and theatre Matt McMahon and Emma Pask showcased their musical talents.
The upstairs community theatre, adjacent to the bar area, is one of the exciting new features of the reworked Pavilion. Downstairs there are art and music recording spaces, plus the interactive Bondi Story Room where visitors can learn about the area, notable events and people. Auntie Barb’s story as a member of the La Perouse community is told there.
Mayor Masselos said the Pavilion had “cemented its place as a leading arts and culture venue” for locals and the broader community, enhancing Bondi’s international reputation as a hub of Australian culture.
The Pavilion remains in public ownership, but early in its restoration journey there were other plans; Liberal politicians had hoped to privatise the building but there was significant community outrage and a union Green Ban was even placed on the Pavilion until the privatisation plans were scrapped.
Built in 1928, the Bondi Pavilion has been listed by the Heritage Council. According to the National Trust, it “has come to represent the Australian culture of beach bathing and outdoors living.” This underscores an important consideration in the reimagining of the Pavilion - the atmosphere throughout should remain informal. This is Bondi Beach, not the Royal Albert Hall, after all. Thongs and beach attire welcome!
Competition for Parking Drives Randwick Residents Insane
Words Anthony Maguire Photo Carey Parker
Tensions appear to be running high over parking spaces in shared residential-retail areas of Randwick City.
Randwick’s Traffic Committee was told the Randwick Precinct group had reported that “residents are fighting for spots with the constant construction workers and the growth of retail/hospitality workers in the area.”
One problem area is Frenchmans Road. The latest minutes of Randwick Precinct state that “residents are really feeling the squeeze with increased business activity on Frenchmans Road.” The group is also concerned about competition for parking at The Spot, which has been an issue for well over a decade now. Both these areas are seeing a resurgence in business activity as the community rebounds from COVID.
A solution may be angle parking, also known as rear-tokerb parking, and the Traffic Committee agreed to conduct community consultation about introducing it in Frenchmans Road, The Spot and other problem locations.
Not enough spots at The Spot.
Words Brenda Ogden
Veteran Cinema at Its Best
The Veterans Film Festival has made its way to Sydney and will be held from November 3-6 at the Entertainment Quarter. The festival showcases work for, by and about veterans and veteran-themed stories, with an extensive program featuring fiction, documentary, features and shorts. This year’s line-up includes Bruce Beresford (Breaker Morant) and longtime Bondi resident Jonathan Teplitzky (The Railway Man). Grab tickets at www.veteransfilmfestival.com.
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
The Coogee Rainbow will be updated to include five additional Progress Pride Flag colours, creating a more inclusive piece of art that celebrates our diverse community. 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of Mardi Gras, and Sydney WorldPride is looking to have 45 rainbows installed across Sydney to mark the occasion. The updated Coogee Rainbow could also be included as a WorldPride ‘Pride Amplified’ event, which would encourage visitation and exposure to a local and international audience. A range of events and activities will be held at the Coogee Rainbow for Mardi Gras and WorldPride, and Council is looking to create an expression of interest opportunity for our LGBTQIA+ community to suggest their ideas.
Garage Sale Trail
Don your bum bag for two big weekends of garage sales held simultaneously in garages, unit blocks, schools and ovals around the nation on November 12-13 and 19-20. It’s garage sales made easy, plus you’ll extend the life of stuff you love, meet your neighbours, declutter and make some cash. Visit www.garagesaletrail. com.au/waverley and register to download a free pack of promo goodies, get ideas and advice from the garage sale pros and benefit from local and nationwide media coverage.
Fight Them on the Beaches
On Saturday, November 12, prepare for four local rock bands to clash in the inaugural ‘Battle of the Beaches’ competition. The bands, made up of parents from Bronte and Coogee Public Schools, include Lost Property (featured in the August edition of The Beast) and The Alumni fighting in the Bronte corner, and Lotus Position and Locos for Coogee. The event will be held at the Robin Hood Hotel from 7pm, with all funds raised going to the schools. Tickets are selling fast, you can get yours by visiting events.humanitix.com/battle-ofthe-beaches-rock-night.
Lyne Park Upgrade
Rose Bay’s Lyne Park Playground is set to benefit from an extensive upgrade. Works are planned to begin in April next year, with the new playground expected to reopen the following spring. Woollahra Council has allocated $1.03 million in funding to the project, including a $394,000 contribution from the NSW Government. The community is invited to view the plans and comment on the design by taking a short survey before October 28 at www.yoursay. woollahra.nsw.gov.au/lynepark.
Say 'Cheese'
The Head On Photo Festival is celebrating its 13th year with an electric range of photography from around the world in unique outdoor exhibitions from November 4-20. The Festival is free and open to the public, comprising over 500 photographers across 107 exhibitions, including the newly renovated Bondi Pavilion. Visit www.headon.org.au.
Fiendish Fun
The Bondi Public School P&C Halloween Fete is back after a COVID-induced four-year break, returning on Sunday, October 30, from 10am-3pm at 5 Wellington Street, Bondi. The P&C has planned a day of thrills, spills and chills, filled with fiendish food and drink, spooktacular stalls, spine-chillingly fun rides and more. Many businesses are supporting the event with donations of goods on the day as well as raffle prizes worth over $5,000. The fete is an all-weather event with cash and cards accepted. For more information and to pre-purchase ride passes, special event entries and raffle tickets, visit www.bondifete.com.
The Great Outdoors
Alfresco dining and summer music could be returning to Randwick City this summer, with Council agreeing to explore the possibility of reinstating the annual pop-up music program at its most recent meeting. The popular program, part of Summer in Randwick City in 2020, brought live music to a variety of outdoor locations across the area. A report into the possibility of including more alfresco dining options for local restaurants will also be prepared and presented to councillors to be considered as part of the 2023-24 budget. Council has already created a temporary public plaza on McKeon Street, Maroubra, which will be in place for six months from early October.
Avoid the Coastal Walk
Sculpture by the Sea is back after a three-year reprieve. The world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition opens on October 21 and will run until November 7, with over 100 sculptures and artworks from Australian and international artists along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The exhibition attracts approximately 450,000 visitors to the area and signals the start of summer in Sydney.
Upstanding citizens.
Crime News
Words Gary Larson
Caddick Husband Grilled at Inquest
An inquest into the disappearance of fraudster Melissa Caddick focused on the actions of her husband after she went missing.
In the witness box at the NSW Coroners Court, Anthony Koletti was questioned about taking 30 hours to file a missing person’s report with NSW Police.
Caddick disappeared the morning after a raid by ASIC investigators and federal police on the Dover Heights house she shared with Koletti and her teenage son. There was strong evidence she had cheated investors in her financial advisory firm out of $23 million-plus.
Three months later, her partially decomposed foot was found washed up on a south coast beach. It was DNAmatched to a sample from her toothbrush. It is believed she hurled herself off a cliff a short distance from the Wallangra Road house and her remains then slowly drifted 400 kilometres down the coast.
After Koletti finally got round to reporting his wife missing, he told police she had gone for a jog the morning she disappeared and that this was part of her regular routine. But at the inquest, he admitted that was not the case and she regularly used a treadmill in the home. There were also inconsistencies in his accounts of what he had been doing the day after her disappearance.
At the inquest, he became so distressed and confused in the witness box that Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Ryan excused him from giving further evidence until the next day.
The inquest has been adjourned until late November pending further evidence from NSW Police.
Child Sex Assaults in Church Grounds - Police
A man has been charged with sexual assaults on two young boys in the grounds of a local church between 1979 and 1982.
His two victims are said to have been aged between six and ten at the time. The assaults took place in “the grounds of a church at Waverley,” according to Eastern Suburbs Police, who arrested the 55-year-old man at his Kingsford home and charged him with six counts of indecent assault.
Man Allegedly Stalked Glamorous Celebrity
A man has appeared in court for stalking reality TV star and model Simone Holtznagel at events in the Eastern Suburbs. It is alleged he’d turn up uninvited and intimidate the 29-year-old.
Most of Benjamin Reeves’ predatory behavior took place around Bondi Beach over four months, according to a brief of evidence by police. Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Command swooped on the 58-yearold at his North Shore home. In Waverley Court, his lawyer lodged a not guilty plea on a charge of stalking. The case was adjourned pending reports.
Simone Holtznagel has modelled for top fashion brands like Bras N Things and Just Jeans. She has carved out a public profile after appearing on Australia’s Next Top Model, SAS Australia and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Graveyard Attack
Coogee man Christopher Hancock attacked his wife in a cemetery, then when witnesses called police he threatened to infect an officer with COVID.
The attack in Randwick Cemetery happened after the 30-year-old’s wife took out an Apprehended Violence Order against him, a court heard.
Two people on a morning stroll heard the victim’s screams for help and saw Hancock pressing her to the ground. The witnesses phoned police and Hancock fled the scene. Minutes later, police nabbed him in a laneway beside the cemetery. He threatened to spit on a female officer, saying “get the COVID,” before coughing in her direction.
Facing Waverley Court, Hancock was convicted of assaulting his wife and a police officer, contravening an Apprehended Violence Order and resisting police. The court heard he had a previous criminal record. He was jailed for a year and placed under a conditional release order.
Demon Drink
Maroubra woman Kelly Borg was on an urgent mission - to buy some booze at the bottle shop. She double-parked her car outside the shop with three children inside and the keys in the ignition. Seeing the vehicle blocking a lane of traffic in Bunnerong Road, Matraville, police in a passing patrol car decided to investigate. After 36-year-old Borg emerged from the shop with her grog, she found herself being questioned and breathalysed. It turned out she had already been hitting the sauce - she had an alcohol reading of .87. In Waverley Court, Borg was sentenced to a two-year conditional release order.
