Millions pledged for permanent memorial to honour Bondi victims

A permanent memorial to honour the victims of Australia’s worst terror attack will be backed with a $2 million boost as part of an $8.3 million support package six months on from the Bondi shooting.

The NSW state budget, to be handed down later this month, will allocate the $2 million to Waverley Council for the memorial, which is yet to be designed. A working group will consult families and community members in the coming months to decide the best way to memorialise the 15 lives lost, and the efforts of the brave locals who helped others.

The government is also working with the Chabad of Bondi, the Jewish Board of Deputies and the council on plans for an anniversary event in December.

A wide-ranging support package in the budget will include funding to support long-term recovery in the community, including $2 million for school programs and community forums. Another $1 million will go to the Jewish Board of Deputies to continue support services.

The Community Security Group (CSG), which provides security to the Jewish community including to schools and synagogues, will receive $500,000 to continue a 24-hour response centre for six months.

The Sydney Jewish Museum will receive $2.6 million for a redevelopment that includes the creation of modern antisemitism exhibitions to increase awareness of ongoing threats to the Jewish community. Flowers collected from the temporary memorial created by the community in the days after the attack were collected by the museum, where they were preserved and will be used to tell the story of the aftermath when the development opens next year.

The funding boost comes as the royal commission into antisemitism closes online public submissions on Sunday, which also marks six months since Naveed and Sajid Akram allegedly opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach using legally acquired weapons. The royal commission will hold more hearings later this month.

Sajid Akram died after he was shot by police, while his son Naveed was this week charged with a further 19 offences, on top of the 59 initial charges. His charges include 15 counts of murder, 43 counts of attempted murder and committing a terrorist act.

“The scourge of antisemitism in our community must be eradicated so we’re not just investing in community safety support but also in programs that tackle antisemitism,” Premier Chris Minns said.

“Well-resourced and co-ordinated systems of support will continue to be available over the long
term, alongside new initiatives to build awareness, support the community and create a fitting memorial.”

In the months since the attack, more than 800 victims have been helped through the government’s victim support scheme, including the families of the deceased and those who witnessed the attack. The Rotary Unite fund has raised $1.9 million for the families and those who were injured.

Almost 400 businesses have received grants since the attack, totalling $3 million.

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