An AAP report says that Sydney’s iconic Bondi beach is undergoing a $A3.1 million upgrade with the first sod having been turned on a $A3.1 million ($NZ3.42m) makeover of Sydney’s most famous beach – but not before some political theatrics.
Australian Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined Waverley Council Mayor George Newhouse in launching the works at Bondi Beach, with Mr Turnbull telling reporters at the beachfront that Bondi was iconic and “the greatest beach in the greatest city in the world”, adding, “It represents Australia to the rest of the world like the Opera House, like Uluru”.
But, before Mr Turnbull could grasp the shovel to turn the symbolic sod, he drew fire from a Labor councillor over his remark that the beach had been neglected, with Waverley Labor councillor Ingrid Strewe shouting repeatedly, “It has not been neglected,” “I can’t let you get away with that.”
Mr Turnbull acknowledged the interjection by telling his audience: “I’m being heckled by the Waverley Council”.
Earlier, Mr Turnbull, the member for the local electorate of Wentworth, told the crowd that he’d arrived at the beach on the 381 bus as a way of “mixing with everybody” and described Bondi as “the international beach in our most international city”.
Cr Newhouse, also a Labor councillor, told the crowd the upgrade was “great news for tourists and locals alike”. “It’s a three-stage plan,” he said.
“We’re hoping this work, which is the second stage, will be completed for this summer.”
The Federal Government has contributed $A2 million to the project, with Waverley Council funding the balance.
Report by The Mole
