The natural ecosystem of Fred Hollows Reserve, a unique area of public bushland in the densely populated eastern suburbs of Sydney, is being restored by Randwick City Council. The indigenous plant community found in the gully is the now rare moist sandstone gully forest and its protection and restoration is an important part of Randwick City Council’s biodiversity conservation work.

"Although the northern area has been completely modified by its past use as a landfill site, Council has been working hard to restore the area to a gully forest as much as is possible," said Randwick Mayor, Cr Murray Matson.

"We constantly get encouraging remarks from people using the new boardwalk and from residents in neighbouring apartment blocks who look over the northern part of the gully. Most understand the need to remove the huge weed infestation and are glad that we did.

"All the work we have undertaken follows standard bush regeneration practice for restoration sites and, given the continuing dedication of Council resources to the Reserve, it is already showing encouraging signs of success," the Mayor said.

"I am surprised and pleased at excellent survival rate and growth of the 1,100 trees we have planted over the last year, especially in the drought conditions we have had. I know that it is due to the thorough and careful preparation and mulching of the area and the replanting with healthy trees grown from seed collected from species in the Reserve. Already some have grown enough to have their tree guards removed," Cr Matson said.

Mayor Matson, Gabi Hollows and local residents met in the Reserve this week to inspect the progress of the restoration work.

"I recognise that some residents would like to see an instant re-greening of the Reserve, but I also know that it is better in the long run to take the slow but sure approach to permanently eradicating exotic species and returning this treasured part of the City of Randwick to its natural state. This is the best way to ensure the Reserve’s ecological sustainability over time.

"I urge local residents to join the Fred Hollows Volunteer Bush Regeneration Group that works in the Reserve every month removing weeds and planting native vegetation. The volunteers contribute so much to successfully protecting and restoring the gully," Mayor Matson said.

Fred Hollows Reserve will feature in ‘Gardening Australia’ on ABC TV at 6.30pm Friday 2 July, show casing what can be done to restore native bushland in highly urbanised areas.