Coogee Bay Road Archives

Coogee Bay Road Lights Up With New Festoon Lighting

There’s a warm, golden glow stretching along Coogee Bay Road these days, and locals have already started to take notice. New festoon lighting has been strung between Arden and Brook streets, adding a new ambience to one of Coogee’s busiest streets.

Read: Coogee Beach Amenities And Café Pavilion Approved At Arden Street

Installed by Randwick’s local officials ahead of the 4 March launch, the decorative string lights arrived just in time for the debut of Coogee Nights, a new series of open street events, which kicked off on Wednesday 4 March 2026. The next one was on 18 March followed by another event on 1 April.

Photo credit: Facebook/Randwick City Council

The festoon lights are intended to draw people out and support local businesses during quieter parts of the week. The installation followed a community consultation process. Randwick sought feedback late last year, with residents noting the lighting would help enhance the night-time experience and improve safety. Both were among the considerations that informed the final installation.

One detail worth noting is the use of directional fittings. The fittings are designed to direct light onto the road, reducing glare for nearby residents. It’s the kind of considered detail that doesn’t make headlines but matters a great deal to the people who live closest to it.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the project was about more than just aesthetics.

“Festoon lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere, and helps to encourage night-time activity and boost local business, particularly on quieter weeknights,” Mayor Parker said.

Read: Coogee Reception Centre Closes as Support Shifts to Bondi Pavilion Hub

The lighting has been installed on a six-month trial basis, after which Randwick will seek feedback from community members to review the lighting. The staged approach gives both residents and businesses the opportunity to weigh in before any permanent decisions are made.

Published 12-April-2026

Coogee Bay Road Power Outage Delayed After Business Pushback

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons 4.0 International

A planned overnight power outage on Coogee Bay Road has been postponed after strong opposition from local business owners who feared major losses during one of their busiest weekends of the year.

The outage, originally scheduled for Sunday, 6 April from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next morning, was set to affect at least 13 businesses along the popular Coogee Bay Road strip. The timing of the shutdown clashed with the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Rosehill, an event that typically draws thousands of visitors and boosts weekend foot traffic for nearby retailers and eateries.

Local Businesses Speak Out

Business owners raised serious concerns over the timing, saying they were not properly consulted and that the power cut would disrupt vital systems such as refrigeration and payment machines. Several operators described the weekend of the Easter sale as a peak trading period they rely on for a large share of their weekly revenue.

Coogee Bay Road — *Photo Credit: RandwickCC*

Maurice Lombardo, who runs the long-standing Italian restaurant La Spiaggia, believed the outage would have had a severe impact. He said the weekend brings consistent crowds and likened its importance to that of a major annual tradition for Coogee.

Others echoed his concerns, pointing out that the lack of early and open consultation made it difficult to prepare for or challenge the plan in time. Café and shop owners feared they’d be forced to close or operate under limited conditions, with some estimating significant losses in takings.

Ausgrid Responds

Energy provider Ausgrid confirmed it had postponed the maintenance work following feedback from affected businesses. The company acknowledged that the original date overlapped with a high-traffic weekend and stated it is now working with traders to find a better time to carry out the necessary repairs.

Ausgrid explained that the works involve replacing a rusted kiosk and making a customer connection, which requires power to be shut off for safety reasons. A spokesperson said they are liaising with local businesses to agree on a new date and time that will minimise disruption.

Although a new date has not been confirmed, it’s understood that Sunday nights remain the preferred option for the work due to the earlier closing hours of venues like the Coogee Bay Hotel, which shuts at midnight on Sundays but stays open until 4:00 a.m. or later on other nights.

Calls for Better Planning

East ward councillor Carolyn Martin said the postponement was a good outcome, but noted it should not have come to this. She believed local businesses should have been considered from the beginning, particularly when planning maintenance work in a busy hospitality precinct.

Business owner Brenton McHatton also weighed in, saying it would be “common sense” to schedule work on a Monday night instead. Mondays, he pointed out, are generally the quietest night of the week for Coogee, and would pose less risk to trade.

The incident has reignited calls for more consistent and transparent communication between infrastructure providers and small businesses, especially in areas that rely heavily on weekend trade.

Published 28-March-2025

Coogee Bay Road Businesses Call for Change to Planned Power Outage

Photo Credit: Coogee Bay Hotel/Facebook

A planned power outage on Coogee Bay Road has sparked concern among business owners, who fear it will force closures and cut off essential services.

Coogee Bay Road Businesses Call for Ausgrid to Rethink Power Outage Amid Financial Hit

Coogee Bay Road traders are urging Ausgrid to reconsider a planned power shutdown, warning it will severely impact their weekend trade and cause significant financial losses.

While the shutdown is for routine maintenance, business owners argue the timing is especially damaging for cafes, restaurants, and shops that rely on steady foot traffic.

Businesses Raise Alarm Over Revenue Loss

Small business owners on Coogee Bay Road say the outage will severely impact weekend operations, disrupting essential equipment like refrigeration and payment systems. Without steady customers, they expect significant sales losses

A local café owner voiced frustration, noting weekends make up a large share of weekly revenue, forcing them to close or operate under restrictions. Others acknowledge the need for maintenance but urge better consultation to reduce the impact.

Ausgrid’s Response and Planned Works

Ausgrid, which manages Sydney’s electricity distribution, stated that planned outages are essential for maintenance and upgrades. A spokesperson said businesses were notified in advance, but local operators argue the short notice doesn’t prevent financial losses.

Ausgrid has yet to confirm if they will adjust the timing or offer alternatives, while some traders urge rescheduling to off-peak hours to reduce economic impact.

A Call for Greater Business Consultation

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between critical infrastructure maintenance and business continuity in busy retail districts. Local operators are urging Ausgrid and government authorities to develop better communication strategies and consider economic factors when planning outages.

While no final decision has been announced, Coogee Bay Road businesses continue to push for a compromise that ensures both reliable power and business stability.

Published 14-March-2025

Police Operation Blocks Dudley Street

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A major police operation has shut down Dudley Street, blocking a key access road to Coogee Beach, after reports of an armed man inside a residential unit.

The police operation, which began shortly after 11am Tuesday, has drawn at least twelve riot squad officers to the scene at Dudley Street, including one carrying a chainsaw. Police have confirmed the incident is mental health-related.

NSW Police have closed Dudley Street between St Paul’s Street and Coogee Bay Road, with both vehicle and pedestrian access restricted. The unit block under focus is located near a Catholic high school.

“Police are speaking with a man inside a unit,” a NSW Police spokesperson said, confirming the operation was prompted by a “concern for welfare.” Specialist police remain on scene.

Local residents have been advised to stay indoors, while others are urged to avoid the area entirely. Multiple police vehicles, including unmarked cars, are currently stationed along Dudley Street.

The operation continues to affect access to Coogee Beach from the Randwick direction, with no immediate timeline provided for when the street will reopen.

Published 22-October-2024

Coogee Celebrates as Council Finally Removes Controversial Planter Box

After years of persistent complaints from frustrated residents, a controversial beachfront planter box in Coogee was finally removed. The concrete structure at the Arden Street and Coogee Bay Road intersection has caused numerous accidents and has been the subject of countless community grievances.

For at least two years, locals have criticised the planter box, which sometimes housed a tree and others did not—a situation the council attributed to “vandalism.” Drivers frequently reported mounting the blocks surrounding the tree space, leading to multiple instances of vehicle damage.

Many residents questioned the box’s positioning, deeming it “useless” and asking why the council thought the left-hand lane on a busy beachfront road was a suitable location for a tree.

Previously, a Randwick City spokesperson stated that removing the blocks was not an option because trees add much value to an urban environment. However, as time passed, the box became the site of many accidents, with one occurring as recently as last week. The council maintained that the blocks served as a wheel stop for the parking spots in front of them.

Locals, however, argued that it was unsafe. In July, one Coogee resident claimed to have personally heard of three cars that had smashed into it in a single week.

Photos emerged showing contractors paving over the area, giving many locals hope. A council spokesperson said that the box was no longer there. He explained that the tree on Coogee Bay Road had been subject to continual vandalism for several years, forcing the council to replace the tree on six occasions.

The coastal location and condition of the pit also made establishing the tree challenging. Given these ongoing issues, the council removed the tree and the surrounding area.

The news was met with jubilation from eastern suburb residents online. One man commented that putting it there first was a stupid idea and praised the efforts to drive some sense into the council. Another resident expressed relief that the “weird” placement was being rectified.

Others were more cautious, with one local joking that they should be more relaxed as the council might be replacing it with something bigger.

Published Date 26-August-2024

Dangerous Concrete Planter Blocks Continue to Frustrate Coogee Residents

Residents of Coogee are once again voicing their frustrations over a long-standing issue: a problematic planter box at the intersection of Arden Street and Coogee Bay Road, which they claim has been causing vehicle damage and traffic congestion for years.

The controversy resurfaced this week when a local cafe worker reported hearing about three cars crashing into the concrete blocks in just seven days, highlighting the ongoing nature of the problem.

Years of Community Complaints

The planter box, designed to house a tree, consists of two concrete blocks at the busy intersection. However, it frequently sits empty, leading to confusion among drivers and repeated calls for removal.

A long-time Coogee resident expressed that the planter box has been a headache for the community for far too long. She noted that residents have been complaining about it for years, but nothing seems to change and she believes it’s time for the council to listen to the community.

A business owner in the area stated that this has been an issue the entire time. He mentioned that they’ve seen countless accidents and near-misses, describing the issue as “beyond frustrating” as their concerns continue to fall on deaf ears.

Coogee Bay Road Planter Box — *Photo Credit: Courtyard/Facebook*

Council’s Persistent Stance

Despite years of complaints, Randwick City Council maintains its position on keeping the planter box. A spokesperson confirmed that the latest tree planted on the box had been “vandalised” and will be replaced.

In previous statements, the council has consistently defended the planter box as “adding value to an urban environment.” They also noted that the blocks serve as a wheel stop for nearby parking spots.

Published 9-July-2024

Chargrill Charlie’s Comes Home to Coogee With 1989 Prices

Did you know that Chargrill Charlie’s opened its first roast chicken chain at the golden beaches of Coogee more than 30 years ago? The family business has since taken off with shops all over Sydney and a few in Melbourne but it will be turning back the clock on Saturday, 28 Nov 2020 when the chain reopens a new Coogee store.

Chargrill Charlie’s is serving chooks full of irresistible offers during its return. To celebrate this fantastic homecoming, the Coogee outlet, located on Coogee Bay Road, will serve a throwback menu with prices from 1989!

These deals will be good for two days only:

Chargrill Charlie’s Famous Extra Large Seasoned Chicken ($10.90)

Half Seasoned Chicken ($5.90)

Quarter Season Chicken ($3.90)

Half Chicken and Chips ($9.90)

Quarter Chicken and Chips ($5.90)

To amplify the ’80s vibe, DJs will be invited to play the best songs from that decade and the management will be giving away some cool retro-inspired prizes to a select number of customers.

“I still remember the day my parents opened the doors to our first shop all those years ago, so it feels really special to open our new store in Coogee,” co-owner Ryan Sher said. “We really wanted to tap into all those magical memories to launch the store, and celebrate the era that helped build Chargrill Charlie’s into what it is today.”

Chargrill Charlie in Coogee will also introduce a chain-store first — The Salad Cube — where customers may watch the staff prepare their salads with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

This is the second Sydney Eastern Suburb store to open this year, after the Randwick outlet. A shop in Bondi will begin trading in December.

Council Launches Plans for Coogee Bay Road Shared Space — Feedback Needed!

A proposal to create a shared space to extend cafe and restaurant operations on footpaths along Coogee Bay Road has been lodged and Randwick City Council needs your feedback on it.

The shared space is in support of local businesses that want to open outdoor dining areas on their premises. The move will help these eateries implement social distancing measures properly, amidst the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Council plans to introduce the Coogee Bay Road shared space by October 2020 and trial the scheme for three months. Under this plan, Arden and Brook Streets will be open to one-way access online, whilst parking on both sides of the streets will still be allowed.

“With parking remaining on both sides, I think this is a good compromise,” Gavin Field, a local, said on Facebook. “As spring and summer ramps up there will be many more people on the streets so for safer social distancing this is a good idea. Be good to have a safe queue system for popular takeaways amongst seated diners and people walking by often with prams, sometimes wheelchairs, etc. (ie businesses not just taking up the entire space for seating).”

“Randwick Council, please don’t make Coogee Bay Rd one way. For locals that regularly duck down to the shops, it becomes very inconvenient and acts as a deterrent! It forces drivers onto Arden St and increases the congestion there,” Deborah Laurence said.

The public consultation will run until 22 Sept 2020 and has so far generated over 300 feedback. You can add yours by sharing your opinion on the official feedback form.

On 29 Sept 2020, the Council will deliberate on the shared space. Once implemented, the guidelines set will be reviewed in November.

The proposal comes as Coogee Bay Road underwent a massive streetscape upgrade that was completed in March 2020.

Here’s How Coogee Businesses Plan to Bounce Back in the Pandemic

Businesses in Coogee are coming together to mount a Coogee Bay Road dining and entertainment pop-up precinct to help each other bounce back amidst the pandemic.

Among the proposed ideas is to host a ‘live and local’ stage for musicians and pop-up parks where people can also enjoy the finest food in the city. The proposal has the backing of Mayor Danny Said.

“All of our town centres and businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19. In particular, the Coogee town centre has been disrupted by both COVID and recent road upgrade works,” Mr Said stated. “During recent weeks and months, I have heard from businesses of the pressure space restrictions are having on local cafes and I have heard our local hotels continue to experience high accommodation vacancies. Businesses are feeling the pressure and Council is looking at ways we can help to boost our local economy and create jobs.”

Learn More ABout THis Plan