Restoration projects often prioritise improving the structural elements of habitats, such as vegetation, without proper consideration of the resource requirements of associated biodiversity. As such, restored habitats may fail to attract or support the persistence of animal populations. In Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, the purple sea urchin (Heliocidaris erythrogramma) has become overabundant, resulting in extensive loss of seaweed forests across an estimated 60% of rocky reefs. As part of restoration efforts, urchin culling and active kelp replanting have been undertaken within the Jawbone and Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuaries. To assess efficacy of restoration efforts, we monitored both kelp reef and urchin barren reference sites, as well as culling only and culling + active golden kelp (Ecklonia radiata) restoration sites. We found significant and sustained reductions in sea urchin densities below the threshold required for seaweed restoration, and broad community recovery to restoration efforts. With ongoing monitoring, we expect to be able to evaluate whether recovering macroalgal beds support similar animal communities to reference kelp beds. Assessing recovery trajectories among locations and restoration methods will allow better informed allocation of resources to improve biodiversity benefits of future kelp restoration programs.