BOLD PLAN FOR JOBS AND PROSPERITY IN REDFERN-WATERLOO - 19 December 2005

Minister for Redfern Waterloo Frank Sartor today released the first comprehensive training and employment strategy for the area to support the creation of 18,000 jobs over the next decade.

Mr Sartor said the Employment and Enterprise Plan drafted by the Redfern-Waterloo

Authority proposes a range of innovative strategies to stimulate much-needed jobs growth.

“This Plan aims to help create 18,000 new jobs to tackle the area’s high unemployment and welfare dependency,” Mr Sartor said.

“Under this approach, wealth creation will be the main antidote to welfare dependency.”

Almost one-third of Redfern-Waterloo’s population receives income support, 40 per cent live in public housing, and almost four in ten households have a weekly income of less than $400.

Mr Sartor said most of the new jobs will be facilitated by future commercial development on State Significant Sites in Redfern and Waterloo, including the Australian Technology Park.

“The redevelopment of Redfern Railway Station and the surrounding area, including the old

North Eveleigh Railyards, will help revitalise its run-down commercial and retail precinct.

“These urban renewal strategies are expected to create more than 400,000 square metres of employment space.”

Mr Sartor said these initiatives will also help achieve the goals of the Iemma

Government’s City of Cities plan for Sydney’s future.

Over the next 25 years, metropolitan Sydney will need an additional 6.8 million square metres of office space, while a target of 58,000 new jobs has been set for the City of Sydney.

The RWA’s construction of a $47.5 million building at the Australian Technology Park is expected to create 600 permanent jobs by 2007, with some to be set aside for local residents.

“In another initiative, leading Sydney restaurateurs will team up with Aboriginal elders to set up a cross-cultural training and employment program in Indigenous Australian cuisine,” Mr Sartor said.

“I am pleased to announce that Raymond and Janice Kersh, formerly of Edna's Table, will spearhead this program along with Aboriginal elder and caterer Beryl Van-Oploo.

“The centre will be established at North Eveleigh as part of a new $850,000 vocational training facility, initially focusing on hospitality, construction, transport and information technology skills.

“The Government will also use its landmark Indigenous Employment Model to require successful construction tenderers to engage Aboriginal employees.”

The draft Plan also aims to:

• Facilitate a research and innovation zone running from the University of Sydney and UTS to the ATP by improving physical connectivity;
• Support small business growth and the hiring of local unemployed people through partnerships with State, Federal and Local Governments;
• Establish programs to train locals to fill skills shortages in particular industries located outside Redfern-Waterloo.

The Employment and Enterprise Plan is on exhibition for public comment until February 2006 at http://www.redfernwaterloo.com.au

FACT SHEET

• The Employment and Enterprise Plan forms one part of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan, which includes plans for Human Services and the Built Environment.
• There are currently around 20,000 jobs in the Redfern Waterloo area – more than double the resident workforce. Driving down local unemployment therefore requires better training for job seekers.
• The Employment and Enterprise Plan is the first comprehensive training and employment strategy for the area, and aims to deliver skilled job seekers to meet the specific employment needs of the market and to build on future growth potential.
• It is intended to directly challenge the area’s social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, educational and life opportunities and a higher standard of living.
• Young people and the Indigenous community in Redfern-Waterloo face high levels of unemployment and non-involvement in the labour force, and will be a priority.
• The RWA’s employment and enterprise strategy will initially focus on:
• Increasing supply of employment opportunities, particularly through commercial and residential development;
• Capitalising on the Research/Biomedical Innovation Zone;
• Improving education and training including a dedicated vocational training centre;
• Strengthening partnerships with local employers;
• Industry based employment strategies;
• Employment and enterprise strategies for Aboriginal people and youth;
• Supporting local business.
• The RWA’s employment and enterprise strategy is based on:
• Building on earlier strategies, such as the implementation of the Aboriginal
• Participation Guidelines in Construction and the development of a hospitality and training centre at North Eveleigh;
• Targeting the employment opportunities emerging in the information technology and bio-technology sectors moving to ATP;
• Developing strategies for employment opportunities in the service industries;
• Working with the local community to ensure that the opportunities for
• Aboriginal people in the area are maximised through university based cadetships;
• Expanding cultural enterprises through means such as design production, and realising export potential;
• Strengthening connections to universities to encourage local children to move into tertiary education;
• Facilitating the running of enterprise summer schools.

[The RWA Draft Employment and Enterprise Plan (PDF 177KB) can be downloaded from http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/other/eep_land_draft.pdf - REDWatch]