This month we hear from Jamie, founder of Friends of Biddigal Reserve. Jamie and his neighbours are convening a volunteer gardening crew to maintain and restore a small plot in this significant nature reserve. And they are looking for more friends... Read on to learn how this community-led initiative came about, and what you can do to help!
Jamie, founder of Friends of Biddigal Reserve
Tell us why you love Biddigal Reserve
There are few places in Sydney - or the world - quite like Biddigal Reserve.
Perched on the northern headland of Bondi Beach, this remarkable north-facing park offers something rare and irreplaceable: an ocean fronting grassy knoll offering sweeping beach and surf views and stunning sunsets. An Eastern Suburbs real estate agent's wet dream preserved for public use! At sunset, Biddigal and Ben Buckler are bathed in a magical light reminiscent of the Greek island of Santorini. But over the last decade, this public treasure has fallen on hard times.
It is estimated that over the summer months alone, an average of over 10,000 locals and tourists enjoy Biddigal Reserve and the surrounding beach, natural rock pools, cafes, restaurants, clubs, parks, car park, playground daily. The precinct delivers multiple sources of revenue to Waverley Council and the many small businesses, surf club, and RSL.
Map of Biddigal Reserve
Tell us why you’re worried about Biddigal Reserve.
The evidence of Biddigal Reserve's decline is clear to anyone who has visited over the last few years. Native trees, that once provided shelter for native birds and marsupials, and shade for families and children at play — have been vandalised and died.
Several trees have also been removed by Council in the last few years. This includes Coastal Banksias ( Banksia integrifolia) which appear to have fallen victim to a plant disease known as Phytophthora, and four Norfolk Hibiscus (Lagunaria Patersonia) trees, removed due to resident concerns regarding skin irritation and respiratory issues.
The lawns enjoyed by couples, friends, yoga groups, musicians, dog walkers, and families are now a patchy and weed infested, and some locals have planted non-native plants, like cactus, strelitzia and agaves in the garden beds. When non-native plants are introduced, it disrupts the ecological community, and now weeds like Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) and Pennywort (Hydrocotyl) are taking hold.
Biddigal Reserve bares a plaque dedicating the reserve to the Bidjigal people (original inhabitants of Bondi) and Robert Bellear, the first indigenous barrister in NSW. The Bidjigal people are the Traditional Custodians of this land, and the reserve holds deep cultural and historical significance. It’s important to care for Country, especially in place of real Indigenous heritage and meaning. Restoring Biddigal Reserve with appropriate native coastal plants is therefore an act of respect — for Country, for community, and for every person who has found peace and joy in this place.
Commemorative Plaque dedicating reserve to the Bidjigal people and Robert Bellear
Why did you form Friends of Biddigal Reserve?
In 2023, a handful of Ramsgate Avenue residents formed Friends of Biddigal Reserve — a community action group of North Bondi residents who refuse to accept that this is simply "how things are.”
We believe that public advocacy, positive energy and community engagement can change things. We’ve been told the Reserve is scheduled for a major upgrade within the next few years and we are committed to support it’s restoration with thoughtful landscaping design including native shrub replanting, and in the long term hope to see upgraded facilities, improved safety lighting, pathway and infrastructure repair.
Parks and Sustainability staff working with Friends of Biddigal Reserve on an agreed plan to restore the garden bed to natives
So tell us about the volunteer gardening trial at Biddigal Reserve?
Major upgrades, including the replacement of the retaining wall, are planned for Biddigal reserve in the next two years, so in the meantime, we are working to restore one of the garden beds.
As a result of a resolution of Council on 21 October 2025, we have established a Biddigal Reserve volunteer community gardening group. Late last year, Council has called out to local residents through a letter box drop, and reached out to previously interested locals. Then working with Council’s Volunteer Coordinator, Sustainability and Parks teams, we now have a plan of management, which aligns with NSW Crown Land Management Act 2016, and Council’s Public Gardening Policy. The objectives of the trial include:
- Respectful, collaborative and shared stewardship of the garden bed
- Removal of weeds and invasive species and dangerous plants
- Gradual restoration of native and naturally suited species
This is a practical, grassroots way to begin restoring the native landscape and engaging the community to preserve this precious public place. There’s plenty of work to do – so please come and get your hands dirty! We are hosting a weeding day on Friday 10 April from 10am to noon.
If you are local to Biddigal Reserve, and would like to learn more and get involved, please come along and meet Jamie and the team. Email secondnature@waverley.nsw.gov.au with Biddigal Volunteer in the title for more information.
Discussing what natives to plant in the northern garden bed