who needs tennis courts? let’s build some more apartments!

I’ve been told by some elderly members in the community that once upon a time, not all that long ago, (in the 1950s), there were many tennis courts in Bondi.

The notion that there was an abundance of such open recreational space in this now highly built-up environment fascinates me.

Admittedly, I am not quite sure of the why’s, the how’s and the what’s, but the tennis courts that have been on Wellington St, Bondi for what I understand has been about 60 years (i.e. since before I was born), will be re-developed into a block of apartments. How utterly surprising! Not!

It has been reported that The Sydney East Joint Regional Planning Panel (i.e. NSW Planning) recently approved this decision, despite Waverley Council objecting to the rezoning of this land. Residents and locals have also been objecting to this proposal but the development will still go ahead. I understand that the battle around this proposed development has been going for a few years. You can read more here.

image courtesy Rescue Bondi

The opportunity for residents to use this space for recreational, health and fitness purposes will be no longer. Another relatively short-sighted decision?

2 comments

  1. David Wilson says:

    Hi bondimermaid,

    A bit late to the party for this post, but I think that the Hakoah club owned or had some association with these tennis courts, back in the late 70s and into the 80s.

    • bondimermaid says:

      Hi David
      It’s never too late to contribute to this blog. It’s great that you decided to drop by.
      I think I also read somewhere that there was some connection with the Hakoah club and the tennis courts. Or maybe I’m just imagining this.
      In any case, I’ll run this past some friends who might be able to shed ore light
      bondimermaid:-)

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