Australia’s Bondi Beach, the country’s most famous strip of sand, was placed on the National
Heritage List on Friday to protect
its sand, cliffs, waves, parks and surf
lifesaving clubs.
Sydney’s Bondi is Australia’s third most visited landmark and local officials say it is being loved to death, with traffic gridlock on summer days and massive amounts of day-tripper rubbish.
The National
Heritage List, which covers 75 heritage sites including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, will protect 65 hectares around Bondi Beach.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the listing recognised Bondi’s role in developing Australia’s beach culture and place in the world-famous surf-lifesaving movement.
This one and a half kilometres of sand and sea is the quintessential Australian beach, a symbol of Australia around the world, Garrett said in announcing the listing.