Waverley Council and Bondi Pavilion have announced the postponement of WAVERIDER, the planned outdoor production by Legs On The Wall, which was to be presented as part of Sydney Festival.

The free performance was scheduled to begin a 10-day run on 8 January in the Garu Courtyard at Bondi Pavilion. However, in the aftermath of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December, organisers said practical and community considerations meant the production could not proceed at this time.

Legs on the Wall: WAVERIDER . Photo supplied

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said the decision followed extensive discussions between Council, Legs On The Wall, Sydney Festival and Bondi Pavilion. “The NSW Government’s Community Hub is located in the very same spot, in the heart of Bondi Pavilion, and relocating this vital resource was not appropriate,” he said.

The Bondi Community Hub, which will operate at the Pavilion until the end of January, provides support services for those affected by the attack, including NSW Health, Service NSW, Lifeline, the Salvation Army, Australian Red Cross, Legal Aid NSW and Multicultural NSW.

Mayor Nemesh said alternative venues were explored, but the work had been commissioned and designed specifically for the Garu Courtyard. “Regrettably, there was no alternative but to postpone WAVERIDER, with a plan to stage this beautiful production next summer in the space it was designed for,” he said.

Legs On The Wall artistic director Joshua Thomson said the company fully supported the decision, extending condolences to those impacted and expressing hope to return with the work next summer.

Sydney Festival director Kris Nelson said the festival supported the postponement, emphasising that the wellbeing of the community remained the priority and that Bondi Pavilion would continue to serve as a place of support and sanctuary.

Sydney Festival 2026 opens on 8 January.