For more than 20 years, Randwick City has been leading the way on sustainability initiatives. We reflect on what’s been achieved in the past year and look to the future.

From Coastal Walkway upgrades, sustainability rebates, waste reduction and cleaner beaches, Randwick Council’s Sustaining our City program has delivered programs, infrastructure development, educational initiatives that benefit the environment and in the long run, ratepayers’ pockets.

Funded by a small levy on rates of just 28c a day or $1.95 a week, the program was made permanent and part of the rates base in 2024.

One of the most popular Sustaining our City programs is a wide range of sustainability rebates open to local residents and businesses. In the past year more than 383 sustainability rebates have been provided, with rooftop solar and solar battery storage installations accounting for more than half.

The program is also supporting people making the switch to electric vehicles by rolling out more public EV chargers. In the past year, more than 70 have been installed bringing the total to over 205 across Randwick City.

When it comes to keeping our beaches clean, Council’s work to install pollution filters on stormwater outlets continues to lead the way. Two Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs) – one at South Coogee and the other in Malabar – were installed bringing the total number of these gigantic underground systems that prevent large pieces of debris and litter in stormwater from entering the ocean to 38.

A resilient Randwick

A new focus for the levy is community resilience. Council’s newly established resilience team is working with community members on how to best prepare for, respond to and recover from adverse situations.

The team is developing Randwick City’s first public emergency dashboard, which is set to go live by early 2026. This digital platform will offer real-time updates on local disasters and hazards, including weather alerts, road closures, service outages, and other critical information.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker emphasised the importance of equipping the community with the tools to get through challenging times. “Whether it’s a storm, power outage, the cost of living, housing stress, or climate change, Council is working to make sure people, places, businesses and our systems adapt and thrive,” Mayor Parker says.

A step forward on the Coastal Walkway

In the past 20 years, the program has helped extend Sydney’s world-famous Coastal Walkway.

More than 12km of the Coastal Walkway has been extended or upgraded over the past two decades, including important sections through Malabar Headland, Cape Banks and north Maroubra.

In November 2024, Council purchased a pivotal South Coogee property and is preparing plans to demolish the house and unlock walking access linking South Coogee and Lurline Bay.

A concept plan will be exhibited for public feedback in late 2025, including plans to honour the property’s owner – the late artist and lifelong local, Ellen Waugh.

Greener pastures continuing

During the next five years, Council plans to roll out more pathways that support people to walk and cycle, install more GPTs to make beaches cleaner and build whale watching and educational platforms along the coastline.

Water saving initiatives, including harvesting stormwater for irrigation and toilet flushing in parks and reserves, will continue.

Residents will be able to continue to enjoy the benefits already in place, including energy savings through sustainability rebates, and opportunities to learn new skills and connect with others through community gardens.

Popular community events and activities are here to stay too, including sustainability workshops and events at Randwick Sustainability Hub, the Marine and Coastal Discovery Program and the annual Eco Living Festival which marks 20 years in September 2025.

“Sustainability is something we all need to play a part in,” Mayor Parker says. We can all contribute to a greener, healthier and more liveable city.

“Let's make choices today that our future generations will thank us for.”