BONDI COAST WALK – TOO MANY STAIRS

Justin. featured in Bondi Roller Coaster

I am not disabled but I find that the coast walk from Bondi to Bronte is almost impossible to negotiate – there are so many stairs to climb, steep and worn stairs, that I have only ever walked it once.

The walk is beautiful but the stairs are just too much, they put me off wanting to attempt it again.  With Sculpture By The Sea coming up, how many people will miss out on seeing this event because of the stair issue.

Adam Long’s film ‘Bondi Roller Coaster’ featuring his friend Justin, highlights access improvements that could be made to the path, allowing the walk to be enjoyed by many more people.

Adam said “Justin’s path is intended as an improvement for everyone, not just wheelchair users. We’d like anyone who struggles to climb those stairs to have better access and to allow parents with babies in prams to walk along the coast.”

Adam explained that the idea began more than three years ago when Justin, who lives in Bondi Junction, received a flyer in the mail from Waverley Council inviting everyone to enjoy the coastal walk. He’d have loved to, if only it was accessible. Justin’s crusade began.

Adam went on to say he was the first of many people to think it was an impossible dream, as there are just too many stairs. The day after talking with Justin, he went for a walk along the coast and realised how simple it would be. Everywhere there are stairs, the path could simply follow the contour line, crossing a couple of small bridges and climbing or falling gently. There are several bottlenecks on the busy path, surely the most used and best loved of it’s kind in the whole country. Justin’s path would improve access and safety at these points for everyone. They were not talking about getting rid of the stairs, so the runners and power walkers who have no trouble with them can continue to use them; in fact it would be better as the slower walkers and rollers would be on the stair-free stretch of the path.

They took their idea to Waverley Council and after collecting hundreds of signatures on a petition, they were allowed to present to a Council meeting, receiving a unanimous vote of support, but were told the Council had no money for the project.

The coastal walk is a resource for all of Sydney and vast numbers of international visitors walk along it every day, so State or Federal Government should contribute to the access improvements. Justin and Adam have met with the local members, both State and Federal, and have tried to get Council co-operation so they could pitch to private investors. What do you think?

Their film “Bondi Roller Coaster” can be viewed on YouTube    Sandra Tiltman 

BONDI’S SCULPTURE BY THE SEA WINNER NOW AT SYDNEY’S BOTANIC GARDEN

Environment Minister Robyn Parker recently unveiled “Barrel Roll” by American artist Peter Lundberg, the winning entrant in the famous Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012 exhibition, currently on display at the Domain in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

 

NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker with Neil Balnaves of the Balnaves Foundation. Photo J..Plaza

With Barrel Roll now an integral part of the Domain and Royal Botanic Garden’s already impressive sculpture collection, Ms Parker paid tribute to the modern piece, which adds to the historic collection dating back to the 1870s.

“The famous Bondi exhibition attracted American artist Peter Lundberg to Australia and it is our local surrounds, people, environment and his personal experience gained here that inspired this striking piece,” Ms Parker said.

Barrell Roll will be the fourth Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi winner on display at the Domain and Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney:

2012 – Barrel Roll by Peter Lundberg

2011 – Paradiegma metaphysic by Paul Selwood

2010 – Mirroring 1995 by Keld Moseholm

2009 – Time and Tide Granite Monolith II by May Barrie

Locals and tourists will enjoy visiting the Domain and Royal Botanic Garden to view the existing 57 piece sculpture collection that has been enhanced by the Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi winners.

In December 2010, the Balnaves Foundation that funds the prize for the winner of the Bondi exhibition, agreed with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust to donate each year’s winning sculpture to the Trust, commencing with the 2009 work by May Barrie.

Each winning sculpture from Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi will be appropriately placed within the Garden or Domain.  After a 10 year residency beside the harbour, some works will be moved to the sculpture collections at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.

Chairman of the Balnaves Foundation, Neil Balnaves, said “Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi has become one of the most popular events on Sydney’s art calendar.  Over a two week period each year nearly 500,000 people walk the cliffs between Bondi and Tamarama to enjoy the sculptures.  We were excited by the idea of taking the winners from each exhibition and placing them in one location where the public could enjoy them all year round.  The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is the perfect location”.

The Balnaves Foundation is a private philanthropic fund that supports organisations that aim to create a better Australia through education, medicine and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged and Indigenous communities.

Visit  johnpondworld.com also www.johnpond.com  SANDRATBLOG.COM