Bondi Junction Westfield reopens without retail trading to give public opportunity to reflect
Mental health support workers have been stationed around the centre. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
A man who filmed parts of the Westfield Bondi Junction attack from inside the shopping centre is among hundreds who have returned for the first time since the deadly stabbing rampage.
The shopping centre reopened today without trade to give the public an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to those caught up in the attack.
Rowan Anderson was at a gym on level six during the mass stabbing in which five women and a man were murdered and 12 others were hospitalised.
The videos he took on his phone of shoppers running in panic have been shared widely online.
"I'm feeling OK, I think it's a little more emotional being back here than I thought it would be, mainly just thinking of those who have lost someone," Mr Anderson said.
Rowan Anderson was at Bondi Junction during the attack and returned today to walk through the space before retail stores re-opened. (ABC News)
"This is one of the busiest places in Bondi and seeing it so quite is extremely unusual but also I think it has been lovely and respectful."
He said it is good to be able to process what happened without retail stores being open.
"As someone who was there on the actual day, and I've seen the video footage I took on repeat, but I think it almost distances yourself from it," he said.
"So being back here, remembering how close it was, but also wanting to reflect on those who won't leave."
Premier among mourners
Members of the public took time to mourn ahead of retail stores reopening on Friday. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
The shopping centre — one of the biggest in Sydney — has been closed since Saturday afternoon.
Six people remain in hospital, with two women still in ICU and a baby in a serious but stable condition.
Premier Chris Minns has walked through the centre this morning before the doors open to the wider community.
He said there would be an increased police presence in Bondi for "as long as necessary".
"Not just for the immediate security needs, but so that people feel confident and safe in their community," he told ABC News Channel.
"And I completely understand why there would be a reticence or a reluctance in those areas to return to normal."
People have been laying flowers in Bondi Junction in memory of people who were killed and injured in the stabbing attack on Saturday. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
He acknowledged people in the state were anxious following the "horrible attack" in Sydney's eastern suburbs, which was followed by another "horrible attack" at a Wakeley Church in Sydney's south-west, where a bishop was allegedly stabbed by a 16-year-old boy.
"There are families that are in mourning as a result of losing their loved ones. There's people who are obviously anxious about the circumstances and the police investigations that are taking place," Mr Minns said.
Inamul Haq Kauser from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Australia paid tribute to security guard Faraz Tahir, who was killed while trying to stop the attack.
Inamul Haq Kauser has paid tribute to security guard Faraz Tahir. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)
"He tried his best to save the life of others, in that respect we consider him a hero," he said.
"He grabbed him first ... he was the first actually, who gave his life for the safety of Australians."
He said Mr Tahir was planning on working as a plumber, and bringing his family across from Pakistan.
"He never thought in this peaceful country, this is going to happen."
On Wednesday, Westfield owner Scentre Group chief executive Elliott Rusanow said the day was for members of the community to visit and pay their respects.
"Having a reflection day allows members of the community to come back, in a way that is not about retail trade," he said.
Westfield said psychologists will be stationed around the centre for those dealing with the traumatic aftermath, while rent from last Saturday till tomorrow will be waived.
Suzanne Abbiss, who works at Bondi Junction Westfield, said it will be difficult to return when shops reopen. (ABC News)
Suzanne Abbiss has worked at a retail store inside the centre for 16 years and came to pay her respects.
"Walking in there today, I felt I was in a tomb," she said.
"My heart is just aching for them."
She is one of many people who work at Westfield who worry it will be difficult to return.
"I feel like there is a shadow," she said.
Members of the public took time to mourn ahead of retail stores reopening on Friday. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
While the major retail outlet will resume regular trading hours from Friday, federal member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, said today's opening was a welcome symbolic gesture.
"It is such a community hub for us," she said.
"It is important that Westfield has opened today in this very gentle way so people can walk through and in a solemn way acknowledge in that space what has happened as we try and find ways to cope with this and to work out what is life like after that."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited the temporary memorial site in Bondi Junction where flowers and other gifts have been left.
"It's striking when you look among the flowers there and the bouquets and the beautiful messages, to see teddy bears that sit among the flowers," he said.
"Obviously, when you see an attack like this, where it's repugnant enough that people are targeted, but in the case where women were targeted or children are the victims, there's a particular chord that strikes in the community."