Key Takeaways:
- The Waverley Council has decided not to tear down a footbridge used by the Bondi gunmen in a recent terror attack
- The council will explore options for a permanent memorial to commemorate the victims and recognize the bravery of those who helped during the attack
- The pedestrian bridge is already nearing end-of-life and will need to be replaced within several years
- A temporary memorial, including a giant menorah, has been set up in Archer Park
- The council plans to award "The Key to the City" to survivors and nominate fallen heroes for posthumous commendations
Introduction to the Tragedy
A Sydney beachside council has refrained from deciding to tear down a footbridge used by the Bondi gunmen after hearing from grieving members of the community. The Waverley Council held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday night, one month after two shooters targeted Jewish community members at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed and dozens more were hospitalized. Tributes have been left on the bridge since the attack in December. The council voted to help the community heal in two ways: by using memorials to commemorate the victims, and by recognizing the people who demonstrated bravery.
Community Feedback and Concerns
The council was already considering the future of the heritage-listed bridge as it nears end-of-life and will need to be replaced within "several years". However, the notion of tearing the bridge down had little if any support from the community, with many people arguing that the bridge should be retained. Alison Bevage, who heard the gunshots from her house, said, "Those bridges are a part of our heritage, they’re our touchstone, what makes Bondi familiar to us. Please just leave our bridges alone and don’t use them to punish us." The Sydney Jewish Museum’s Sandy Hollis said that the location of the shooting had become "a symbol of resilience and unity against acts of terror".
Memorialization and Recognition
The council unanimously passed a motion to begin exploring options for a permanent memorial, but it acknowledged that the process would be slow. Meanwhile, it is working on short-term solutions, including moving an existing artwork of a giant menorah to Archer Park to act as a temporary memorial. The council also voted to replace some of the panels of the Bondi Beach Sea Wall with commemorative artworks for the next 12 months. The council plans to award "The Key to the City" to survivors Ahmed Al Ahmed, Gefen Bitton, and Leibel Lazaroff, and nominate fallen heroes Boris and Sofia Gurman, and Reuven Morrison, for posthumous commendations in the Prime Minister’s Special Honours List.
The Role of the Community
The meeting’s attendees heard a detailed account of the attack from one of the registered public speakers, Liz Webb, who spoke on behalf of Bondi Surf Life Club. She said, "Lifesavers are trained to think to the side and to run to those in need. This is exactly what they did. The horror of the shooting lasted for 10 minutes. With every minute since then has been an overwhelming coming together of help, love, and support from and within our community." The community’s response to the tragedy has been remarkable, with many people coming together to support each other and honor the victims.
The Future of the Footbridge
The pedestrian bridge used by the gunmen as a vantage point in the terror attack is already nearing end-of-life and will need to be replaced within several years. The council will consider the replacement of the northern pedestrian bridge as part of a future discussion of a permanent memorial. While some had suggested that the bridge should be torn down to avoid becoming a "ghoulish reminder", the community has largely opposed this idea, instead advocating for the bridge to be retained as a part of the area’s heritage. As former Waverley Council mayor and Bondi resident Sally Betts said, "We must never forget. I know people are concerned that it will remind people [of the tragedy], but I think that’s good."
