Redfern-Waterloo UPDATE July 2006 (Text Version)

Seven Network moves to Redfern

Boost for local jobs

As a result of a landmark agreement between the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and Sydney Broadcast Property – a joint venture of Rebel Property Group and Seven – the TV network is moving its Sydney production division and magazine publishing company, Pacific Magazines to the Australian Technology Park.

NSW Premier Morris lemma announced the agreement on 28 June 2006.This will see the largest commercial development in Redfern for at least 10 years and the first commercial building at the ATP to be developed by the private sector.

`This is a major strategic investment that will kick-start employment and further boost the economic revitalisation of Redfern and Waterloo,' Premier Morris lemma said.

Sydney Broadcast Property will invest more than $120 million in the design and construction of the 43,500 sqm centre, including a state-of-the-art, high definition television production facility and commercial offices. Seven and Pacific Magazines will occupy approximately 18,000 sqm of the new development, with Seven leasing the studio to produce a variety of programs including Home and Away and All Saints.

David Leckie, CEO of The Seven Network, has stated: 'Our move to Australian Technology Park is a significant move for Seven and Pacific Magazines. We are delighted to be working closely with the NSW Government and Rebel Property Group in ensuring that this new centre becomes the leading creative hub for media in Australia.'

Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, Frank Sartor, said the new media hub would be a major drawcard in attracting similar businesses to Redfern. The development is expected to generate more than 600 construction jobs and, on completion, add 2000 permanent jobs to the ATP workforce.

This will increase the number of jobs in Redfern and Waterloo by up to 20%.'As part of the deal, 60 construction jobs will be provided for indigenous workers,' Frank Sartor said.

'It also provides for ongoing employment for local residents once the media production centre is built'

Work is expected to commence later this year with completion by the end of 2008. Further aspects of the deal include:

• A 1.4 hectare site valued at $13.1 million will be leased to Sydney Broadcast Services for 88 years;
• The developer will provide 350 car spaces for the ATP and an additional 365 for the TV studios and offices; and
• The developer will spend $2.6 million on infrastructure including landscaping and road works.

Robert Domm, CEO of the Redfern Waterloo Authority, said he believes that 'the $120 million development negotiated by the RWA is a significant milestone in Australian Technology Park's development.’

'These high profile companies have expressed their confidence in the park's future by their decision to relocate and this will generate much greater investment interest in the park's growth. Existing ATP tenants and local business will be presented with real business opportunities as a result of this exciting new development,' Robert Domm said.

Redfern Station redevelopment

The Seven announcement follows the news that a tender has been advertised for design consultants to investigate the options for the redevelopment of Redfern Station on behalf of the RWA and RailCorp. Tenders are currently being assessed and a consultant is expected to be appointed by the end of July.

Photos:

• Sydney Broadcast Property Director Allen Linz, NSW Premier Morris Iemma, Minister Frank Sartor, Member for Heffron, Kristina Keneally and RWA Director Urban Renewal, Richard Clark.
• An artist's impression of the Seven Network building on the western side of the Australian Technology Park.
• An artist's impression of the new Seven Network building as seen from the north.
  

Employment and Enterprise Plan released: 18,000 local jobs in next 10 years

Minister for Redfern Waterloo, Frank Sartor, has released a comprehensive plan to generate 18,000 jobs for the Redfern-Waterloo area over the next decade.

Minister Sartor said he was pleased to deliver the final Employment and Enterprise Plan, after a draft was released in December last year for public consultation.

'This plan is already off to a strong start, with the recent landmark agreement to build a new television production centre at the Australian Technology Park (ATP),' Frank Sartor said.

The $120 million ATP agreement with Sydney Broadcast Property and Pacific Magazines will increase jobs in Redfern and Waterloo by up to 20%. Most of the future growth will be generated by commercial development on State Significant Sites in the area, including the ATP

'It shows our approach is working and we will continue to deliver more job opportunities and training in Redfern and Waterloo, to help turn around social disadvantage: the Minister said.

The overall Employment Plan complements the Built Environment Plan, which will drive urban -renewal and   jobs-growth; -and-the-Human        Services Plan, which will improve youth services, childcare, literacy and other human services programs. Under the Employment and Enterprise Plan, strategies will be coordinated to stimulate jobs growth through commercial development and other means.

'Wealth creation is essential for the area to move forward in a constructive way. Almost one-third of Redfern-Waterloo's population receives income support, 40% live in public housing, and almost four

in 10 households have a weekly income of less than $400: said Frank Sartor.

The final Employment and Enterprise 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; and
• Establish programs to train locals to fill skills shortages, in particular industries located outside Redfern-Waterloo.

Photo: Member for Heffron, Kristina Keneally, Minister Frank Sartor, Premier Morris Iemma with apprentice plumber Dale Perry who is working for JR Keith Pty Ltd on building construction at the ATP and the RWA’s Project Manager, Terry Kelly.

Boost for indigenous training

600 permanent jobs will be created by 2007 with the Redfern-Waterloo Authority's construction of the $47.5 million Building D at the ATE

105 jobs for local indigenous workers have already been delivered under the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Jobs Compact between the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

Further a cross-cultural training and employment program in Indigenous cuisine will be established at North Eveleigh as part of a new $700,000 vocational training facility.

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

The Employment and Enterprise Plan is available at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au

Indigenous Youth Centre for Redfern

A national centre for Indigenous youth will be built in Sydney following the sale of the former Redfern Public School to the Indigenous Land Corporation.

Plans for the National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) were unveiled in Redfern on 11 July 2006 by NSW Minister for Redfern Waterloo, Frank Sartor, and Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) Chairperson Shirley McPherson.

They were joined at the event by NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Milton Orkopoulos, Member for Heffron Kristina Keneally and Rev. Bill Crews of the Exodus Foundation.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said the Australian Government, through the ILC, had made $14.8 million available to purchase the site from the NSW Department of Education.

Along with plans to gain private sector involvement in the redevelopment, the total commitment is expected to exceed $34 million.

Frank Sartor said the Redfern Waterloo Authority had helped negotiate the deal to establish a new youth precinct and showcase for Indigenous culture.

Education, training, jobs, culture

'The best way to improve the circumstances of Indigenous families in Redfern and Waterloo is by supporting a range of opportunities in education and employment,' Frank Sartor said.

The new NIDC will help young people from this area and other communities achieve their full potential through mentoring, training and learning initiatives. It is expected to help up to 5000 young people each year, when fully operational.

Shirley McPherson said redevelopment of the former Redfern Public School site was expected to commence early next year and is due for completion in 2009.

'The ILC is proud to be taking a leading role in redeveloping the former Redfern Public School site for the benefit of current and future generations,’ Shirley McPherson said.

Rev. Bill Crews of the Exodus Foundation said: 'This development is a new deal for Redfern.

It represents a fresh start, and will provide young Aboriginal people with the means to lift themselves out of the poverty trap.'

Plans for the NIDC include a new 25-metre heated swimming pool and sports training field.

The redevelopment includes construction of new multi-use classrooms and accommodation and dining facilities for up to 100 people.

The existing Murawina Child Care Centre and four school buildings (including two heritage-listed buildings) will be refurbished.

The NIDC will accommodate a number of established programs, including:

• The Exodus Foundation, which will establish a tutorial centre for children aged 10-14;
• The National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia, which runs a number of sporting and life development programs for Indigenous people encouraging health lifestyles through sport and education; and
• The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, which provides opportunity for Indigenous youth to become involved in rugby union, netball and golf.

Illustration: An artist’s impression of the new national centre for Indigenous youth in Redfern.

Visit the RWA Website

The RWA’s website is up and running at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au The site will keep you informed about our activities and provide an opportunity for community feedback.

Need Assistance?

For more information or to send us your feedback please contact the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, Level 11,Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern

Tel: (02) 9202 9100 Fax: (02) 9202 9111 Mail: PO Box 3332, Redfern NSW 2016 Email: redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au

ARTICLES INSIDE: PLAN FOR 18 000 JOBS IN 10 YEARS • NEW INDIGENOUS YOUTH CENTRE