Entrepreneur who wants to turn Bondi into a European-style beach club defends proposal

A entrepreneur who wants to turn Bondi into a European-style club has been forced to defend his controversial plan following a backlash from locals.

Janek Gazecki, the man behind Amalfi Beach Club, put in a proposal to Waverley Council to erect luxury cabanas roped off from the public on Bondi Beach, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The plan would see two per cent of the beach near Roscoe Street transformed to serve food and cocktails to ‘high net worth’ customers – who pay $80 for a two-hour slot.

Mr Gazecki shared a video to Facebook on Monday to explain his proposal and what it means for the community.

‘The first thing that needs to be said, it is available to absolutely everyone. All you have to do is go online, book your cabana and daybed,’ he said in the video.

‘The 80 bucks goes towards your food and alcohol.’

Mr Gazecki said there is already a daybed hire business about 100 metres from his proposed stretch of sand. 

‘The only difference with us is we wish to introduce a food and beverage service to go with that,’ he said.

Mr Gazecki said his plan does not involve privatising the beach. 

‘It merely utilises existing leasing and licensing mechanisms to carry on a commercial enterprise like plenty of other business initiatives in the area,’ he said. 

The entrepreneur said activities on the sand, similar to the beach club, are part of the reason a visit to Bondi Beach is so enjoyable. 

‘We feel that adding this particular pop-up restaurant, over this particular summer given the COVID situation and the recession, is a positive initiative which will help local business and the community,’ he said.   

Speaking to the critics, Mr Gazecki said he hopes the explanation provides ‘some merit’.  

‘Or find it within yourselves to accept the fact that well if it’s not for you, it should still be enjoyed by others who wish to experience the beach in this particular way,’ he said.  

The video was posted into the Bondi Local Loop Facebook group, where it was met with further criticism.

‘S**t idea. Leave Bondi Beach as it is,’ one community member wrote.

‘Yea…nahh,’ another wrote.

A third wrote: ‘I am definitely against this. The beach should be all inclusive. Instead of setting it for profitable gain to the elite, why not give back to the community and provide mobi-mats for people with disabilities, wheelchairs and walking aids.’ 

‘Give the public beach back to the people without any cost.’  

But not everyone was opposed to the idea, with some commenting the proposal should be trialled.

‘Thank you. That makes much more sense. We all need a bit of ‘something’ fun,’ one person wrote.

‘I say maybe council should allow a trial period. Give it a chance to at least have a go. That’s the Aussie spirit,’ another said.

A change.org petition to ‘Stop Amalfi Beach Club taking over space on Bondi Beach for Financial Gain’ has gathered more than 32,000 signatures.