Project Background

Curlewis Street has been selected by TfNSW and support by Waverley Council as a priority route for a bike path. This is a key route between Woollahra and Waverley and this project will better connect the key destination of Bondi Beach and Rose Bay. The upgrade will also improve accessibility to Bondi Beach via Bondi Road and Curlewis Street and connect to Woollahra's Rose Bay ferry.

Curlewis Street is an important community hub which marks the entrance to Bondi Beach and the Waverley area. This project aims to make the area safer for all road users, promote active transport and create a more inviting and vibrant space for the community to enjoy.

Proudly Funded by the NSW Government in association with Waverley Council.

Key Features of the Upgrade

  • Establishing a new separated two-way bike path from Campbell Pde to Wellington St
  • Creating shared paths for pedestrians and bike riders at the western end of Curlewis St (from Old South Head Rd to Wellington St). These shared paths have been proposed based on the constraints and uses of the road environment.
  • Converting existing pedestrian crossings at Gould St and Wellington St into raised pedestrian crossings with a designated lane for bikes to cross
  • Creating an improved outdoor dining environment
  • Establishing new plantings and increasing the tree canopy by planting approximately 60 new trees
  • Installing new paving and signage
  • Replacing existing light poles with multifunction poles
  • Improving drainage and stormwater quality
  • Installing six new EV charging stations

Project Update: October 2025

Stage 3 – Intersection of Curlewis Street and Glenayr Avenue

Stage 3 construction works are ongoing and nearing completion. The remaining works that remain for Stage 3 include (weather permitting):

  • Watermain relocation works (estimated to take 1-2 weeks)
  • Traffic signal works (to be undertaken concurrently with watermain works, estimated to take 1-2 weeks)
  • Civil works (estimated to take 4 weeks).

As Stage 3 works impact Glenayr Avenue and Curlewis Street intersection, the remaining traffic signal and civil works will predominantly be carried out at night. Standard night work hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7:00pm – 7:00am.

NB: There will be an overlap between stages. Stage 3 is expected to be completed by the end of November, while Stage 5 is scheduled for completion in early December 2025 due to watermain delays in Stage 3.

Commencement of Stage 5 – Curlewis Street southern side, from Wellington Street to Glenayr Avenue

Stage 5 works commenced on Monday, 13 October 2025. Stage 5 works will be delivered in two stages, with forecast date of completion early December 2025.

  • SP5.1 commenced on 13 October 2025 with works between Wellington St to west of Crystal Car Wash at Curlewis St
  • SP5.2 will be commencing immediately after SP5.1, with works between Crystal Car Wash and Glenayr Ave intersection. Estimated completion is early December 2025.

Stage 5 works include:

  • Demolition and site establishment
  • Footpath/Road and kerb reconstruction
  • Electrical trenching
  • Light pole installation
  • Landscape work including tree removal and installation
  • Road pavement reconstruction.

Consultation: First round

From 18 May - 15 June 2022 we collected feedback on a draft concept design for the upgrade of Curlewis Street.

In addition to presenting a concept design for the entire street, we presented two options at both the western Old South Head Road end, and the eastern Campbell Parade end, for the community's consideration. The recommended options at the western and eastern end were based on what the community has told us in the past, as documented in the Our Liveable Places Centres Strategy.

View the concept design options at the western and eastern ends.

Western end - Old South Head Rd intersection

A new shared path will connect Old South Head Rd to the new shared path and bike path on Curlewis St. Both options include a new raised pedestrian crossing at Simpson St, and continuation of the shared path east along Curlewis St. View the concept design options here.

Option 1: recommended design

This design removes the existing left turn slip lane from Old South Head Rd into Curlewis St, with the left turn movement still permitted, but controlled by the traffic signals. This creates additional public space at the corner which can be used for a wider shared path, additional parking and a raingarden.

Option 2: alternative design

This design retains the existing slip lane, allowing for a narrower shared path and smaller new turfing and landscaped areas. Pedestrians will still need to cross onto the traffic refuge in order to cross the street.

Eastern end - Campbell Pde intersection

A new separated two-way bike path will connect Curlewis St with Campbell Pde. Both options include new pedestrian crossings on Curlewis St west of Gould St, and on Gould St on the northern side of Curlewis St. View the concept design options here.

Option 1: recommended design

This design keeps the new bike path on the northern side of Curlewis St, crossing the pedestrian crossing near Gould St for a short distance at right angles.

Option 2: alternative design

This design sees the new bike path cross Curlewis St at the raised pedestrian crossing near Gould St. The bike path then continues towards Campbell Pde on the southern side of Curlewis St.

How feedback was collected

Feedback was collected via the following methods:

  • An online survey
  • Email: majorprojects@waverley.nsw.gov.au(External link)
  • Mail: c/o General Manager, PO Box 9, Bondi Junction NSW 1355
  • An online information session on Thursday, 2 June 2022, 6-7pm
  • An online information session for business owners on Monday, 6 June 2022, 4-5pm

Consultation: Second round

In May/June 2022 we asked for feedback on a draft concept design for this upgrade. The design at the western end of Curlewis Street was then updated at the western end of Curlewis Street (at the intersections with Old South Head Road and Simpson Street) to address feedback received during the initial consultation with regards to connectivity of the bike path and traffic flow.

From 21 November - 16 December 2022 we collected feedback on the updated design. Take a look at the key changes of the updated design, or review the updated concept design. All other aspects of the proposed upgrade were consulted on earlier this year.

How is the updated design different?

The updated design at the western end of Curlewis Street:

  • Removes the left hand turn into Simpson St (vehicles will still be able to turn left out of Simpson St)
  • Improves connectivity of the shared path as bikes and pedestrians will have a more direct route along Curlewis St
  • Allows room for two lanes of traffic travelling east from Old South Head Rd (one lane will continue onto Blair St and the other will continue onto Curlewis St)

There will be no net loss of parking on Simpson Street and no other vehicular movements will be impacted.

Map of updated design

Click image to view in full screen.

Map showing key features of the updated design at the western end of Curlewis Street

How feedback was collected

Feedback closed at 11.59pm, Friday 16 December 2022.

Existing layout vs updated design

Drag the slider left to right to compare the existing layout to the proposed layout described above.

Existing layout: Existing layout of Curlewis Street and Simpson Street intersection Proposed layout: Proposed changes to Curlewis street and Simpson Street intersection