When will Bondi Junction Westfield reopen? Westfield to remain closed, vehicle retrieval continues
Westfield Bondi Junction, the site of Saturday’s horror massacre, will reopen tomorrow for “a day of reflection” without retail trade before beginning to resume normal business on Friday.
Scentre Group Chief Executive Elliot Rusanow provided an update on Westfield’s reopening plans at a press conference this morning.
Sea of tributes shows shaken city’s grief
“We have been very considered in our plans to reopen the centre in a way that’s respectful to the victims, their families and all in the community grieving,” Rusanow said.
“There will be no retail trade tomorrow, instead the centre will be open for members of the community to visit the centre, to walk through the centre, and to pay their respects.”
Rusanow said the centre will open between 11 am and 5 pm with a section of the centre reserved for flower and wreath laying.
During that time “quiet settings” will be in place, the centre will not play music and a “black ribbon” symbol will be displayed instead of advertising to honour the victims.
Rusanow said trading will resume on Friday for retailers who choose to reopen with an increased security presence at the centre.
“It will be their choice on that day and it will be their choice when they do so,” he said.
Rusanow said all of the victim’s families were offered the opportunity to come to the centre to grieve privately.
”We have had members of the victims’ families, all victims’ families were offered the opportunity of coming to the centre,” he said.
“It’s a private matter for those victims’ families in choosing whether they would come and I won’t go into the specifics of who came but I will say members did come.
“I was with those families yesterday. It was a very emotional experience.”
The centre resumed its vehicle retrieval process this morning for those who were forced to abandon their cars during Saturday’s attack.
Between 8 am and 6pm, drivers are advised to attend the centre access point at the Westfield Tower 1 Lobby on Oxford Street where they will be met by staff members.
”The team will ask for your number plate to find your vehicle’s location in our system,”
“The team will provide directions to your vehicle. This may be via a different route than you are familiar with.”
During this period, the car park’s boom gates will be raised and there will be no charge for parking.
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