Welcome to Bondi Beach Club: Part of Sydney's most famous beach could be sold off to create a Mediterranean-style bar on the sand with cabanas for hire for $40-an-hour - and locals aren't happy
A controversial plan to create an exclusive high-end beach club on the sand at Bondi Beach has sparked a furious debate between local residents and organisers.
Amalfi Beach Club has put in a proposal to Waverley Council to erect luxury cabanas roped off from the public over a 40 metre stretch of sand on Australia's most iconic beach.
The proposal from Bondi local Janek Gazecki plans to take over two per cent of the beach near Roscoe Street to serve expensive food and cocktails to 'high net worth' customers.
The elite location will host 100 guests in a European-style beach club set up from Thursdays to Sundays, similar to exotic locations in Spain, Croatia and the Greek Islands.
The plans feature 20 sun lounges, 10 cabanas and four booths being serviced by private waiters.
A two-hour booking in the cabanas costs $80, with food and drinks not included.
Amalfi Beach Club have proposed to Waverley Council to put luxury cabanas on Bondi Beach
The plans would cover two per cent of the beach with exclusive lounges for wealthy customers separated from the public. Pictured: crowds at Bondi on Monday
There are several issues facing the proposal, including Bondi Beach being an alcohol-free zone and a council policy that does not allow events on the sand during December and January.
Waverley Council denied a prior proposal in May for the club to run from November to February, but has since received a second application to operate from February to May, which is being reviewed.
Proposal documents seen by the Wentworth Courier show the business plans to exclusively target a wealthy clientele in their demographic.
'Our database constitutes a select demographic comprising of individuals enjoying a high disposable income, within the 25 to 45 age bracket, with an interest in travel, fashion and luxury goods,' the document reads.
Waverley councillor Sally Betts said the exclusive plans block out many Bondi locals.
'I know the beautiful people will love it and the beautiful people do use Bondi Beach but so do the peasants like you and me,' she said.
The council are deliberating with the businesses plans due to issues with hosting the high end location on public land. Pictured: crowds enjoy the sunshine at Bondi on Monday
'We don’t want to take a bit of the beach and say "this is only for the people who can afford it".'
While a petition in favour of the beach club has more than 600 signatures, many locals have come out against the proposal.
A similar club was erected on Adelaide’s Glenelg Beach in 2017, with many supporters of the proposal claiming the set up would be perfect at Bondi.
'This is long overdue in Bondi,' one comment reads.
The plans sparked debate from naysayers over whether businesses should be allowed to privatise public land on the beach.
'To me it seems like you’re taking public beach space which is free and wanting to turn a profit from it,' another post reads.
More than 600 people have signed a petition in favour of the plans, but many locals are unimpressed. Pictured: crowds pack over Bondi on Monday