More than 500 species of indigenous plants and 250 species of native birds and animals have been recorded in Randwick, all within 10 or so kilometres of Australia's largest city centre.

Randwick Council has a responsibility to future generations to protect and preserve the habitat that supports these important plant, animal and aquatic species.

There are many pressures affecting biodiversity in Randwick many of which are due to the nature of the urbanised environment often restricting wildlife to remaining areas of habitat that are suitable and available to them. These areas are mostly fragmented and isolated.
 
Most of the terrestrial biodiversity in Randwick is found in the many patches of remnant (original) vegetation. This remnant vegetation totals about 243 hectares, representing almost 7 per cent of the Council area. Many native animals can spend some or all their lives outside the remnant vegetation and are found in public parks and private gardens.

You can help protect remnant vegetation sites around the Randwick area by joining our friendly bushcare volunteers.

Marine Biodiversity
Randwick City contains over 25 kilometres of coastline. Fifteen percent of this coastline remains in its natural state, primarily at Malabar Headland and Botany Bay National Park.

Over 300 species of native marine fauna have been recorded off Randwick's coast. About half of these are fish, including sharks and rays. The other half include sponges, anemones, corals, worms, shrimp, sea snails, octopus, starfish and sea urchins.

Randwick has four coastal areas of significance where native marine flora and fauna is protected:

• Bronte - Coogee Aquatic Reserve, including Clovelly Bay - home to "bluey" the blue groper and one of the best and safest places in Sydney to snorkel.
• Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve. It is prohibited to collect cunjevoi and all vertebrates (dead or alive).
• Magic Point, South Maroubra Beach -Grey Nurse Shark critical habitat. Special fishing and diving rules apply in this area.
• Long Bay intertidal protected area, Malabar (from Boora Head to Tupia Point). Collecting seashore animals is strictly prohibited in these closures.

Interested in finding out more visit:

• Randwick City Council 2009 State of the Environment report
• NSW Department of Primary Industries Grey nurse shark critical habitat