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You are here: Home / UrbanGrowth, SMDA & RWA Plans & Activities / Government, UG, SMDA & RWA Statements / 2007 / RWA Submission into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage - OCR Text Version

RWA Submission into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage - OCR Text Version

IMPORTANT NOTE - This is an OCR Version of RWA submission to the Inquiry into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage. This version is to enable people to electronically search the submission which is impossible in its original form. As this text version is produced by OCR, it is possible that it contains some errors. REDWatch can not guarantee it is 100% accurate. If you wish to use the OCR text you must check the OCR version against the original scan copy of the submission to satisfy yourself the OCR text is correct.

Contents Note: To enable people to go to sections of interest we have produced an electronic contents menu. This contents list has greater detail than the original RWA contents as we have included all five sub-heading levels in the submission rather than just the three levels used in the initial RWA Table of Contents. On an electronic index there is no need for page numbers. In quoting the RWA report please use the original submission and its page numbers.

Submission by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Closing the Gap – Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage, Sydney 30 November 2007

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Built Environment Plan

    2.1 Stage One of the Plan

        Achievements to date

        Sale of Surplus Government Lands

        Aboriginal Housing Company Land – Eveleigh Street Precinct (including the Block)

        Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales – Indigenous Community

    2.2 Proposed Stage Two of the Plan

    2B Management of Australian Technology Park

        Improved Financial Performance

        Commercial Development of the Park

3.0 Training, Enterprise & Employment

    3.1 Jobs, Opportunity, Prosperity

    3.2 Developing a Culture of Work in the Aboriginal Community

            Achievements to date

    3.3 Employment and Enterprise Strategies

            Achievements to date

        3.3.1 Aboriginal Employment Model for Construction

            Achievements to date

            Future directions

        3.3.2 Yaama Dhiyaan Training Centre

            Achievements to date

        3.3.3 Aboriginal Enterprise Strategy

            Achievements to date

            Future directions

        3.3.4 Aboriginal Business Service

            Achievements to date

            Future directions

        3.3.5 Vocational education programs for local Aboriginal school students

            Achievements to date

        3.3.6 Business Enterprise training for Aboriginal school students

            Achievements to date

        3.3.7 Development of RWA area into Aboriginal cultural precinct

            Achievements to date

        3.3.8 Cultural resilience

            Achievements to date

            Future Direction

4.0 Human Services Plan

    4.1 Phase One

        4.1.1 Services for Aboriginal people

            Achievements to date

                Improving the health and well-being of children

                Lift local school numeracy and literacy levels to at least the State average

                Lift local school attendance and retention rates to at least the State average

                Improve support for vulnerable people

                Reduce the incidence of Family Violence

                Increase participation and involvement of young people in the community

                Increase numbers of young people accessing employment and training issues

                Reduce Drug and Alcohol misuse

                Reduce offending and recidivism

                Building community capacity

        4.1.2 Review and Evaluation of the progress of the Human Services Plan Phase One.

    4.2 Draft Phase Two- Human Services Plan

        4.2.1 Phase Two Evaluation

5. 0 Conclusion

6.0 Appendices

    A. RWA's Built Environment Plan (Stage One)

    B. RWA's Employment and Enterprise Plan

    C. RWA's Human Services Plan (Phase One)

    D. RWA's Human Services Plan (Phase Two) Draft

 

1.0 Introduction

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) was established on 17 January 2005.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 sets out the organisation's aims and objectives. It contains a number of provisions which are specifically directed towards overcoming Indigenous disadvantage in the RWA's operational area.

Whilst not formally expressed as seeking to close the lifetime expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, the RWA's activities under the Act are targeted at issues which include health and wellbeing, education, employment, housing, incarceration and the criminal justice system, cultural identity, self-determination and economic development. The RWA regards these issues as going to the core of Indigenous disadvantage and has developed strategies which seek to tackle root causes of problems. Indeed, the Terms of Reference for the Standing Committee's Inquiry acknowledge these as key issues which may impact on lifetime expectancy.

This submission therefore seeks to set out some of the major activities and achievements of the RWA over nearly three years of operation as part of the New South Wales Government's ten year Redfern-Waterloo Plan. It is submitted that a solid foundation is being laid for substantial and sustainable progress towards overcoming Indigenous disadvantage in the Redfern-Waterloo area.

The RWA has defined its strategic planning and operations into three broad areas:

* Built Environment – the creation of new planning controls on key strategic urban renewal sites to stimulate economic growth and investment thereby facilitating employment and training opportunities, encouraging new residents and affordable housing, improving public housing, establishing new community and cultural facilities, and fostering a safer, more balanced and therefore sustainable community, including through improved urban design.

* Employment and Enterprise – the creation of essential linkages between the area's economic growth and local employment, education and training needs –particularly for the Indigenous community, seeking partnerships to broaden opportunities for locals beyond the area's boundary, fostering Indigenous enterprise in key areas such as tourism, arts and hospitality and promoting advancement through sustainable self-determination.

* Human Services – the creation of a comprehensive reform agenda for the delivery of essential human services including seeking new or improved services to match the local community's real needs, advocating culturally-appropriate programs and enhanced social justice for the area's most disadvantaged, creating partnerships with key agencies and non-government organisations to develop solutions to entrenched social problems and ensuring that human services issues are relevantly reflected in the overall planning for the area's urban renewal.

Some of the key initiatives since the RWA's commencement include:

  • more than $600 million has been earmarked for urban renewal in Redfern-Waterloo – this will rise to more than $1 billion by end 2008
  • new planning controls have been introduced on Government lands and other strategic sites as an incentive to investment and economic growth
  • important new community facilities such as a health centre and a national Indigenous centre of excellence are being established
  • the RWA has achieved returns to Government of more than $25 million from sale of surplus lands for urban renewal and employment creation and this will increase by a further $100-120 million in 2008.
  • more than 2600 new jobs will have been created (by the end of 2009), which represents a greater than 20% increase in employment numbers for the whole of Redfern-Waterloo
  • 209 construction jobs have been created under the RWA's innovative Indigenous Employment Model.
  • an Indigenous training college has been established with more than 70% of graduates obtaining employment
  • the RWA-managed Australian Technology Park (ATP) will achieve normalised profits totalling $16.73 million, which are being reinvested in the Park's future growth
  • the market value of the ATP will have increased by $43.15 million as a direct result of the RWA's development activities
  • the built floor space at the ATP will have increased from 44,000 square metres in 2006 to about 100,000 square metres by 2009
  • a major reform to human services delivery has been achieved at no net increase in cost to Government

2.0 Built Environment Plan

2.1 Stage One of the Plan

The Built Environment Plan (Stage One) encourages an employment and investment based revitalisation of the area by developing new planning controls on key strategic sites. These controls have been enacted in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005.

Stage One was publicly released on 30 August 2006 following an extensive process of community consultation. The key strategic sites, which total about 35 hectares, are mostly owned by the State Government and/or located near the Redfern Railway Station and the Redfern Town Centre.

The Plan also identifies strategies for associated transport and traffic management, heritage preservation/adaptive reuse, open space and public domain improvements, new infrastructure and community facilities, enhanced connectivity through pedestrian and cycle access and provisions for the achievement of a safer and more sustainable community.

It is envisaged that Stage One of the Plan will generate about 440,000 square metres of employment space which in turn could create up to 18,000 new jobs in the area. Although it is still only early days in the context of a ten year strategy, development projects already facilitated by the RWA will create about 2600 new jobs in the area which translates to more than a 20% increase in jobs in Redfern-Waterloo.

About 2000 new dwellings could also be developed under Stage One.

Chapter 3 of this submission outlines in more detail the beneficial employment, enterprise and training impacts on the Indigenous community flowing from the RWA's overall built environment strategy.

Achievements to date

In the Built Environment context, more than $600 million has been earmarked for Redfern-Waterloo's urban renewal from the date of the RWA's commencement in January 2005. This is expected to increase to more than $1.1 billion by the end of 2008. The State Government will have been directly responsible for facilitating about $1 billion of this current and future investment.

Most of the construction or other projects detailed below have a direct beneficial impact for the Indigenous community through jobs and training or cultural activities and some also provide new or improved facilities which further strengthen cultural resilience. Quantifiable Indigenous impacts have been highlighted in bold.

The projects are:

  • $123 million being invested by ATP Partnership in constructing a new 43,500 sqm state-of-the-art media centre at the RWA-owned Australian Technology Park (ATP). Works currently underway and due for completion in September 2009 (60 Indigenous construction jobs to be created).
  • Concept planning and sale by the RWA to allow redevelopment of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site for a 150 dwelling residential development valued at $70 million upon completion. Sale is currently being finalised following conclusion of tender process in November 2007.
  • $47 million invested by the RWA in developing a new research building at the ATP to house National ICT Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation. Building due for completion at end of 2007 (29 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $40 million invested by Arts NSW for a new contemporary performing arts space through adaptive reuse of the heritage CarriageWorks at North Eveleigh. Project completed in January 2007 (24 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $45 million being invested by the Commonwealth's Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) in purchasing and transforming the former Redfern Public School into a new National Indigenous Development Centre. Project approval for the new sports, education, community and cultural centre of excellence given by Minister for Planning in October 2007 with works expected to commence in early 2008 (20 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $37 million to be delivered over the next 10 years for public amenities and works through the RWA's Contributions Plan. Plan approved by the Minister for Planning in May 2007.
  • $35 million to be delivered over the next 10 years for affordable housing through the RWA's Affordable Housing Contributions Plan (including $16 million in affordable housing for Aboriginal residents). Plan approved by the Minister for Planning in May 2007.
  • $23 million to be delivered over the next 10 years for affordable housing through the RWAs Affordable Housing Planning Agreement resulting from the redevelopment of the former CUB site in Broadway. The Agreement was finalised in January 2007.
  • $27 million being invested by the Department of Housing (DoH) in the redevelopment of public housing in Redfern's Elizabeth Street. This will deliver 106 new dwellings which will replace the existing homes on the site (RWA's Indigenous Employment Model to be applied to the construction contract – job numbers to be determined).
  • Development approval and sale by DoH of land adjacent to the Elizabeth Street redevelopment to allow construction of 158 new private dwellings with a completion value estimated at $70-80 million.
  • $20 million invested by the City of Sydney on the upgrade to Redfern and Regent Streets. Project completed in 2007 (25 Indigenous construction jobs in the City's urban improvements programs –including redevelopment of Redfern Park and the upgrading of three parks).
  • $20 million being invested by the City of Sydney for the redevelopment of Redfern Park. Works currently underway.
  • $19 million being invested by South Sydney Leagues Club in a major upgrade of its Chalmers Street building and facilities. Works underway. In conjunction with the City's Redfern Park upgrade, it signals the "Return to Redfern" of the Rabbitohs football club, which has always played a significant role in providing opportunities for the local Indigenous community. Works currently underway. (5 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $10 million to be invested by NSW Health in transforming the heritage former Redfern Courthouse and Police Station into a major new community health facility. Works to commence in 2008 and to be completed in August 2009 (Indigenous job numbers to be determined).
  • $8 million being invested by the Indigenous Land Corporation in the redevelopment of the vacant former Black Theatre site in Cope Street. Works currently underway (7 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $6 million to be invested by the RWA in constructing the Eveleigh Heritage Walk, a pedestrian/cycle bridge connecting North Eveleigh and the ATP. Detailed deign work underway (Indigenous job numbers to be determined).
  • $7.2 million invested by the RWA and ATP in new roads and infrastructure to facilitate the Technology Park's future development. Works completed (6 Indigenous construction jobs).
  • $4.2 million invested by the NSW Police Service in March 2005 in establishing a new police station opposite Redfern Railway Station.
  • $3 million being invested by the RWA for the adaptive re-use of the heritage Blacksmiths Workshop at North Eveleigh to create community markets. Development approval expected by early December 2007 and completion expected in second half of 2008 (Indigenous job numbers to be determined).
  • $1 million invested by the City of Sydney in upgrading three parks in the Eveleigh Street precinct – Yellowmundee, Hugo Street Reserve and Pemulwuy Park. Works completed.
  • $850,000 invested by the RWA in developing the new Yaama Dhiyaan Indigenous training centre at North Eveleigh, incorporating the Les Tobler Construction Training Centre. Accredited training in the hospitality industry commenced in October 2006 and Koori Job Ready Courses in Construction commenced in early 2007. Training funds are mainly provided by the NSW Department of Education and Training along with some additional Commonwealth funding ( a total of 209 Indigenous construction jobs to date and over 70% of hospitality graduates have obtained work).
  • More than $1 million being invested by the City of Sydney in the upgrade of the skate-park and youth facilities at Waterloo Park.
  • $1.25 million in total allocated by the RailCorp and RWA for a concept design study for the upgrade of Redfern Railway station ($250K) and by RailCorp ($1 M) for further feasibility work in 2007-08 on the upgrade.

Sale of Surplus Government Lands

In 2006 the RWA brokered the sale of the former Redfern Public School for $14.8 million to the Commonwealth Government's Indigenous Land Corporation. The ILC paid the sale price to DET. This followed the RWA's rezoning blueprint for the site under Stage One of the BEP, which was given effect in the SEPP. The ILC has subsequently received planning approval for construction of a $30 million National Indigenous Development Centre on the site.

The SEPP also rezoned the former Rachel Forster Hospital site in accordance with the RWA's blueprint in the BEP. Following this, the RWA concept planned the site and put it to market. The sale tender process closed on 20 November 2007. Sale proceeds will be used to build a $10 million community health centre at the former Redfern Courthouse/Police Station. The completion value of the proposed residential development on the former Hospital site is estimated to be about $70 million.

The RWA is also currently concept planning surplus RailCorp lands at North Eveleigh to take to the market for sale in mid 2008, subject to approval. Once again this land was rezoned by the RWA under its BEP. It is expected that the Concept Plan application will be lodged in February 2008. The estimated commercial and residential construction cost on this 10.5 hectare site is $466 million.

These projects are expected to be significant local employment generators, in the construction phase and beyond. The RWA will be seeking to apply its Indigenous Employment Model to these projects.

Aboriginal Housing Company Land – Eveleigh Street Precinct (including the Block)

The new planning controls developed by the RWA in Stage One of the Built Environment Plan for the Eveleigh Street precinct, which includes 7752 square metres of land owned by the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC), have considerably increased the value and development potential of AHC land.

AHC land that was formerly zoned residential or open space has been rezoned as 'Mixed Use' with increased heights and floor space ratios. Indeed under the RWA's new planning controls, the development potential of AHC land in the Eveleigh Street precinct has nearly doubled from that which existed under the former City of Sydney planning controls – an increase of 6715 sqm from 7752 sqm to 14467 sqm of development potential.

The new 'Mixed Use' zone provides for a range of land uses within close proximity to Redfern Railway Station. It allows for employment activity and job creation within a range of enterprises including businesses, cultural, recreation and community services. The zone also allows housing.

On 24 October 2007, the AHC lodged a Concept Plan application with the Department of Planning for redevelopment of its land in the Eveleigh Street precinct. It is understood that the application seeks to take advantage of the significant opportunities provided by the new planning controls.

Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales – Indigenous Community

On 1 June 2006 the Commonwealth and NSW Governments entered into a formal partnership agreement for cooperation "on enhancing the economic and social revitalisation of Redfern-Waterloo in relation to the Indigenous community".

The Partnership Agreement states that the two governments will work closely together on key areas including employment and enterprise, education, Indigenous housing and the Block and human services.

The mutual aim of the Agreement is to address social and economic disadvantage, to reduce welfare dependency through wealth creation and to improve the delivery of services.

The terms of the agreement were negotiated by the RWA.

2.2 Proposed Stage Two of the Plan

The RWA is currently working in partnership with the Department of Housing to ascertain the options that may exist for revitalisation of existing public housing stock and the opportunities that this may create to enhance the availability of affordable housing in Redfern-Waterloo. The aim is to facilitate a comprehensive social housing improvement strategy for the area.

Options may include:

  • improving the public domain
  • renewing public housing
  • improving the mix of housing types and tenures
  • encouraging sustainable communities and enhancing social mix
  • facilitating the provision of affordable housing through consideration of various financial models, including a shared equity model of home ownership

The RWA and DoH will build on community strengths and recognise in particular that high rise public housing is home to significant communities. It is critical that the future built environment matches the community's needs.

The NSW Government has made the following public commitments in respect to the future of public housing in Redfern-Waterloo:

  • there will be no cuts to the amount of public housing
  • current residents will not be disadvantaged
  • all public tenancies are secure

The Redfern-Waterloo community and public housing tenants in particular will be extensively consulted on any proposals for public housing renewal.

The RWA expects that there may be significant potential for Aboriginal employment arising from the implementation of public housing renewal under Stage Two.

At this stage, the RWA anticipates that a draft of Stage Two of the Built Environment Plan may be available for public exhibition by March 2008.

2B Management of Australian Technology Park

Improved Financial Performance

The RWA assumed ownership of the Australian Technology Park on 17 January 2005 by virtue of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004. However, the RWA did not assume formal management of the ATP from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority until 1 April 2005. Upon assuming management control, the RWA immediately set about a restructure of the company's operations. A new business plan was introduced and stricter financial disciplines were introduced.

Since 2004-2005, the ATP has recorded normalised profits totalling $16.73 million.

The profits that the ATP company is generating will be critical to financing the significant costs necessary to fund the future development of residual land at the Park over the next five years or so. Available funds may also be responsibly utilised towards reducing debt (up to $47 million) incurred through the RWA's Treasury borrowings to fund the development of the NICTA building.

The table below provides a year to year comparison of the company's strong performance over the past three financial years. It illustrates strong revenue and profit growth over the period whilst operating costs and employee related expenses have been reduced.

ATP Year to Year comparison [please see original for graph page 11 of submission - link No. 11, Redfern-Waterloo Authority]

Commercial Development of the Park

On 1 April 2005, the ATP was comprised of about 44,000 square metres of employment space, most of which was in heritage former railways buildings which had been adaptively reused. Indeed, there had been no new commercial development at the ATP in the previous five years. About 1000 employees worked at the Park.

Since assuming ownership and control, the RWA has built an additional 12,000 square metres of employment space in the form of a new research facility to house National ICT Australia and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. The RWA's $47 million development will be completed at the end of 2007.

In October 2007, the RWA also completed its $7.2 million Roads and Infrastructure Project, which has built new infrastructure critical to the Park's future commercial development.

In November 2007, early works also commenced on the $123 million development of a 43,500 square metre media hub to house the Seven Network, Pacific Magazines and Global Television in the first instance. Probably the biggest single private sector investment in Redfern's history, the development negotiated by the RWA with ATP Partnership Limited is scheduled for completion in September 2009.

The above developments alone will see the ATP's employment floor space increase from 44,000 in 2005 to almost 100,000 square metres by 2009. Total jobs at the Park will have increased from 1000 to about 3600. This also represents about a 20% increase in jobs for the entire Redfern-Waterloo area, reversing a decades-long decline in employment numbers.

Current projects have created a total 95 Indigenous construction jobs at the ATP. The agreement for the development of the Seven Network is also intended to generate further Indigenous jobs in the media businesses establishing at the Park.

Other development projects currently under negotiation are expected to see the ATP develop its full potential of 200,000 square metres of employment space over the next five or so years, which will result in about 8000 jobs at the Park. This means that the ATP will be the key employment generator under Stage One of the Built Environment Plan.

It is important to note that the market value of the ATP has increased by $43.15 million as a result of the RWA's development activities over the past two years.

3.0 Training, Enterprise & Employment

3.1 Jobs, Opportunity, Prosperity

The RWA's employment and enterprise development strategy aims to directly challenge the area's social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, educational and life opportunities and a higher standard of living.

The RWA sees wealth creation as an antidote to welfare dependency. The path to wealth creation through well-paid employment is education – whether this is through vocational education or tertiary education.

Urban renewal will mean enhancing employment and enterprise opportunities for the local and wider metropolitan community, as well as revitalising the area with new residents and economic activity. The Redfern-Waterloo Plan encompasses the three inter-linked elements of renewal of the built environment, facilitation of employment and enterprise development and reform of human services delivery by Government and Non-Government Organisations.

The Built Environment Plan proposes to create 440,000 square metres of net employment floor space that will be developed over future years through commercial development on sites currently designated as State Significant within the Redfern-Waterloo area. This translates to about 18,000 jobs.

There are currently about 12,500 jobs in the area, which is more than the resident workforce, yet local Aboriginal unemployment is a major issue. It would seem therefore that local unemployment is more about local job seekers needing greater training and skills to secure and maintain jobs in either the local area or from the adjoining CBD, rather than simply a lack of job opportunities.

Whilst there have been previous attempts to address Aboriginal employment issues in the area, what is needed is a comprehensive training and employment strategy that delivers skilled job seekers to meet the specific employment needs of the market, taking into account future growth potential.

The Aboriginal community has a high rate of unemployment amongst those who are in the labour force (31 %). There are an extremely high percentage of local Aboriginal people not in the labour force (62%). This widespread non-engagement with the workforce is a major factor contributing to the social and economic disadvantages facing the community.

Youth unemployment in the Aboriginal community has long-term consequences because it occurs at the beginning of a person's working life. Not only does the person suffer from a lack of income, but joblessness at this age also means they miss out on opportunities for skill development that results from on-the-job training and subsequent work experience.

Aboriginal people who experience unemployment early have a higher probability of experiencing joblessness and lower earnings in the future.

Studies (such as by the Smith Family 2003) have shown that the youth most at risk of unemployment live in disadvantaged communities characterised by low socio-economic levels; that have a higher level of early school leavers with associated low levels of literacy and numeracy skills and associated low levels of workforce participation.

Addressing the root causes of social disadvantage is a major part of addressing unemployment in the area. The Human Services Plan for Redfern-Waterloo, finalised by the RWA in December 2005, seeks to do this. Phase One of the Human Services Plan addresses reforming and integrating local services for Aboriginal people. (Refer to Chapter 4 for further details of the Human Services Plan)

Providing opportunities for wealth creation is an important element of the RWA's employment strategy. Empowering Aboriginal people to create their own wealth (through meaningful employment or starting their own enterprise) is one aspect of addressing the root causes of social disadvantage experienced in sectors of the community.

3.2 Developing a Culture of Work in the Aboriginal Community

The reasons for 31% of the Aboriginal Community being unemployed and 62% of the Aboriginal community not being in the labour force will vary from person to person, but will include: lack of skills and opportunity, physical and mental disabilities; family caring arrangements which prohibit 'traditional' work and generations of family members being unemployed.

The RWA wants to identify ways to motivate people who are able to work but for various reasons currently do not want to. Some people have lost motivation to work or look for work after many years facing lack of available opportunities, discrimination, stereo-typing, training course after training course that has not led to employment and even through not knowing how to apply for jobs.

Many Aboriginal people have grown up in an environment where their parents and role models are unemployed and they therefore have much less familiarity with a culture of work.

A large number of young people in the area have grown up in an environment where their parents and role models are unemployed. This can have a large impact on attitudes to working when, for example, a young person may not live in a home where any adults are engaged in the workforce. Young Aboriginal people in these households are markedly disadvantaged in terms of exposure to working skills, the realities of working life and the simple household rhythms of getting ready to go to work in the mornings.

Workplace technologies are changing rapidly and Aboriginal people from households where family members are not in the workforce suffer from a lack of skills and exposure to modern workplace approaches and processes, particularly in relationship to the computerisation of complex tasks and the changes in the composition of work.

Achievements to date

During 2006 and early 2007 the RWA commissioned a specialised project to work with the local Aboriginal community to gain an understanding of the factors that impact on how a community develops a culture of work. The project focused on identifying current programs and initiatives that work and developing strategies that are applicable to Aboriginal people.

RWA has found the best way to create a culture of work is to create the opportunity for Aboriginal people to become employed in mainstream jobs.

3.3 Employment and Enterprise Strategies

The RWA has developed several major strategies that are being progressively implemented over the next ten years.

The Built Environment Plan (Stage One) has been finalised and is currently being implemented. Initial projections estimate that up to 18,000 jobs can be created in future years through commercial development on the nine sites currently designated as State Significant by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Achievements to date

600 jobs alone will be created at the Australian Technology Park by 2008 with the RWA's decision to develop a $47 million new building to house the National ICT Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation and due for completion in late 2007. A number of other significant building projects at the ATP have commenced demonstrating the huge employment generating potential of this site alone.

The largest project underway is the $123 million development of the corporate headquarters of the Seven Network and Pacific Magazines at ATP. This development is expected to generate 2,000 permanent jobs. The RWA has negotiated for 60 jobs for Aboriginal people during the construction phase and is identifying job opportunities for Aboriginal people once operations have commenced.

The RWA has identified several major strategies that support the development of employment and enterprise opportunities for both local Aboriginal residents as well as the broader metropolitan Aboriginal community. These opportunities are located in walking distance to Sydney's second most accessible railway station; thereby ensuring jobs for Aboriginal people are located close to public transport services.

In addition to the above projects, the RWA's Employment Plan had identified further employment opportunities for Aboriginal people from the construction and long term developments at Rachel Foster Hospital site, Redfern Street Community Health Centre, National Indigenous Development Centre, the North Eveleigh precinct, the Redfern Station-Regent Street precinct and the redevelopment of Elizabeth Street.

3.3.1 Aboriginal Employment Model for Construction

In urban renewal projects on Government land the RWA creates jobs for Aboriginal people through implementing Aboriginal Participation principles. It is essential to the RWA's urban renewal vision that the local Aboriginal community are direct and substantial beneficiaries of the area's social and economic revitalisation.

Only tenders that include an Aboriginal Participation Plan are accepted for major construction works on Government land.

The RWA is negotiating with other Government agencies to do likewise, and is facilitating the training of a supply of skilled Aboriginal people to take up these opportunities in Government contracts outside of Redfern-Waterloo.

Achievements to date

The RWA's Indigenous Employment Model was developed to ensure that the creation of employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the construction industry would be successful. Without such a model employment opportunities for Aboriginal people have historically not been successful. The model makes it easy for employers to employ Aboriginal trainees and apprentices, through the RWA recruiting, providing pre-apprenticeship training and valuable mentoring support. .

The success of the RWA's ground breaking Indigenous Employment Model continues as other sectors of Government are now using it to employ Aboriginal people on their construction projects. The Indigenous Employment Model has created significant numbers of jobs for Indigenous workers.

The RWA has applied the Indigenous Employment Model to all government projects in the area resulting in 24 jobs for Aboriginal people being created during the refurbishment of the Carriageworks Arts Centre and associated infrastructure works at North Eveleigh.

6 positions created on the refurbishment of Yaama Dhiyaan Training Centre; 29 positions created during the construction of the NICTA building at ATP; 6 positions created on the roadwork contract at ATP and 60 positions to be created during the construction of the Channel 7 Headquarters at ATP.

The RWA provides the model to the City of Sydney which has resulted in the creation of more than 25 employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the City's urban improvement programs. The RWA provides the full resources of its Indigenous Employment Model to ensure the employment of Aboriginal people is successful.

To date the model has been used on a number of the City's projects such as the Glebe Point Road Upgrade, Redfern-Regent Street upgrade and the Redfern Park redevelopment.

The Commonwealth Government - through the Indigenous Land Corporation - is working with the RWA to employ 7 Aboriginal people during the construction work on the Black Theatre site on Cope Street. The Indigenous Employment Model is also being used to create over 20 positions for Aboriginal people on the construction of the National Indigenous Development Centre on the site of the former Redfern Public School.

Since the RWA commenced implementing the Indigenous Employment Model in mid 2005 approximately 209 jobs for Aboriginal people have been brokered in the construction industry in the Redfern Waterloo area.

Of these 209 positions, 97 people have been employed to date with another 112 positions to come on line in 2008-2009.

An analysis of the jobs filled to date identified positions across 24 trades, the major ones as follows:

  • Skilled labourers            30%;
  • Metal trades                  9%
  • Painters                        8%
  • Apprentice carpenters    7%
  • Apprentice electricians   7%
  • Apprentice plumbers      7%
  • Bricklayers                    5%
  • Civil trainees                  4%
  • Form work trainees        4%
  • Traffic controllers            3%
  • Apprentice landscapers 3%

Three Aboriginal apprentices and trainees employed under the model received industry awards for excellence during 2007.

Future directions

The RWA aims to have the State, Federal and local government sectors adopt the highly successful Indigenous Employment Model on capital programs across NSW in areas of high Aboriginal populations. Other State Government agencies are expected to use the RWA's model in the near future, including the Departments of Commerce and Housing, and the Transport, Infrastructure and Development Corporation (TIDC).

The RWA is also negotiating for the City of Sydney to use the model on infrastructure projects across the whole of the City as well as negotiating with the local government park representative body to expand the model across local government projects throughout NSW.

The RWA has commenced offering the model to the private sector outside of the RWA area to increase the number of jobs available for Aboriginal people. This area has been targeted by the RWA as offering unlimited potential following on from the successful program run in 2007.

3.3.2 Yaama Dhiyaan Training Centre

Achievements to date

The Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College opened its doors at Darlington in October 2006 to offer a unique learning experience. An initiative of the RWA in partnership with Aboriginal elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo and young Aboriginal chef, Matthew Cribb, the Centre offers an accredited hospitality training course with a strong focus on getting a job at its conclusion.

The NSW Government through the RWA committed $750,000 in capital works and establishment costs to establish this centre in 2006, with a further $100,000 committed in 2007. NSW Department of Education and Training has also provided support through training funds along with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

The course teaches a nationally accredited 8 week Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations), with a focus on Indigenous culture & cuisine. Graduates also receive certification in Barista, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gaming (RCG). The quality and scope of the training provides graduates with the qualifications and experience necessary for employment in the restaurant and café sectors, tourism operations, clubs, hotels and catering enterprises.

"There's a real feeling of pride amongst the local community that the Centre has been established here in Redfern" says Aunty Beryl Van Oploo.

Yaama Dhiyaan also provides function and catering services, which are an invaluable source of work opportunities for students. Significant on the job training and employment opportunities are also anticipated when the RWA commences operation of a commercial café and function centre in early 2008.

Training is offered to a minimum of 60 students over four courses delivered annually. More than 57 students have already graduated since Yaama Dhiyaan opened in October 2006.

The RWA has developed partnerships with major hospitality employers Compass Group, Accor Hotels and Spotless. Students are interviewed for jobs with these companies towards the end of their training.

Of the last hospitality courses, over 70% of students found employment within a month of graduating, including some who have never been in the workforce previously. Jobs include housekeeping, working in banquets and functions and as kitchen stewards at Accor Hotels around Sydney; Human Resources at Qantas; and catering work with Compass Group. In addition to this, some graduates have found jobs in other industries or have gone back to complete further study. They have been able to do this after they have increased their self confidence at Yaama

The Authority has developed partnerships with major hospitality companies including presentations to the students about employment opportunities with their companies, structured site visits to expose the students to the industry, programmed interviews and work experience.

This exposure to the industry is invaluable along with the work experience gained on Yaama Dhiyaan functions and catering events.

Students who have graduated over the last year have found employment or otherwise in the following areas:

  • Employed in hospitality industry                          45%
  • Employed in industries other than hospitality        21%
  • Undertaking further education                              8%
  • Custody issues preventing ability to work             8%
  • Parenthood                                                        6%
  • Looking for work                                                 6%
  • Travel                                                                1%
  • No contact                                                        5%

Located beneath Yaama Dhiyaan is the Les Tobler Construction Training Centre where the Koori Job Ready Course in Construction is taught.

A partnership of the RWA and TAFE NSW, the Centre is named in honour of the Aboriginal elder Les Tobler, who was instrumental in establishing the first Koori Job Ready Program and involved in recruiting unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for pre-employment programs.

In April 2007, 15 indigenous students took part in what was the first of the three 8-week Koori Job Ready Courses in Construction scheduled for 2007. On completing the courses, graduates are offered employment on various Redfern-Waterloo building projects through the RWA's Indigenous Employment Model. Since this programme was established in 2006, the number of students who have graduated is more than 60 with another 15 expected to graduate in December 2007.

The on-site training program operating out of the centre provides invaluable experience for students wishing to enter the construction industry. The benefits of on-site training are substantial, particularly for Aboriginal students as Aboriginal teachers can teach them within a workplace context, where successful Aboriginal tradespeople are employed on the major projects.

3.3.3 Aboriginal Enterprise Strategy

Achievements to date

The RWA delivers business workshops for Aboriginal enterprises, focusing on key business topics. These workshops are targeted at Aboriginal people interested in expanding their own construction based businesses, as well as identifying opportunities for enterprise development.

The workshops have enhanced the business skills of existing enterprises as well as informed Aboriginal people who are considering expanding enterprises about business planning and financing.

The Aboriginal Enterprise Service also links private sector companies to Aboriginal businesses that support the growth of Aboriginal enterprises. This is achieved by providing an easily accessible point of contact and up to date information on Aboriginal enterprises via the RWA web site and through direct marketing to major construction companies.

Future directions

Enterprise Development opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Service industries

The Authority has identified the service industries as offering employment and enterprise development opportunities for local people.

The Authority has developed a partnership with the Indigenous Land Corporation to develop a training, enterprise and employment strategy to ensure Aboriginal people are able to take up the future employment and contracting services that will be required to service the National Indigenous Development Centre, including hospitality cleaning, property maintenance, security and landscape maintenance services.

3.3.4 Aboriginal Business Service

Achievements to date

The RWA has set up an Aboriginal Business Service, in partnership with the Department of State and Regional Development, to encourage and cuitivate successful indigenous businesses. Small business is a growing sector within the Redfern-Waterloo community and one where there are employment opportunities for local Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Enterprise Service has operated out of the RWA's office in Redfern since October 2005. The consultants located at the RWA provide information on business start-up and business development. Aboriginal people benefit from a one to one approach with an experienced business advisor who can provide strategic business information and guidance. Making the service accessible locally provides greater support to the Aboriginal business community.

To date, the service has advised on a wide range of business initiatives from cafes to driving schools. The RWA is committed to expanding this service in line with future demand and sees a role in identifying business opportunities and working with the community to encourage local people to take up the emerging opportunities.

Over the 2 years that the service has been operating, the business consultant has assisted over 70 potential or existing enterprises and is seen by the local Aboriginal community as a significant support specifically available for Aboriginal people.

Future directions

The continuation of this service is invaluable to enable Aboriginal people access to professional business support. The Authority will negotiate with the Department of State and Regional Development to continue to jointly fund this initiative

3.3.5 Vocational education programs for local Aboriginal school students

The education and employment training systems play a key role in preparing Aboriginal young people for employment. Completing Year 12 provides a significant buffer against unemployment (particularly amongst Aboriginal youth where high school retention rates are half that of non-Indigenous youth).

Phase one of the Human Services Plan for Redfern-Waterloo has prioritised lifting the local school attendance and retention rates and local school numeracy and literacy levels to at least the state average. These factors alone have a large impact on a person's employability.

Through teaching local Aboriginal children vocational and enterprise skills and exposing them to community based employment experiences, they have an increased chance of successfully transitioning from school to employment or further education and training.

Vocational learning is appropriate for all years of schooling and includes general employability skills, enterprise education, career education, community and work based learning.

Vocational learning should provide basic skills and knowledge relevant to a range of workplace settings. There should also be a strong focus on commencing pathways to employment and further vocational programs. Assisting students to set goals that lead to future employment and providing employment experiences is also important.

Achievements to date

The RWA delivers vocational educational opportunities to Alexandria Park Community School in construction and hospitality.

Students are offered work experience at Yaama Dhiyaan function centre throughout the year. In addition, the Authority delivers a practical building program each year, aimed at students at risk of disengaging with school. Both programs have proven highly successful.

In addition, through Yaama Dhiyaan, the Authority is able to provide vocational training for young Aboriginal people in the Juvenile Justice system that historically have been excluded from achieving vocational based outcomes.

3.3.6 Business Enterprise training for Aboriginal school students

Achievements to date

In 2006 the RWA delivered a business skills program for Aboriginal students at Alexandria Park School through the successful school based Young Achievers Australia program.

This program taught school students through experiential learning techniques to: develop, finance, produce, market and sell the product they developed. The practical experience gained through this initiative has benefited those students wishing to pursue a career in business, as well as expose others to potential job opportunities in their community through enterprise development.

As the RWA's work progresses, it will:

  • Work with the local community to ensure that the opportunities for Aboriginal people through cadetships are maximised for young Aboriginal people in the area.
  • Expand cultural enterprises through design production linked to the tourist industry as well as support connections to international markets.
  • Support Aboriginal cultural enterprises to create a cultural experience in Redfern targeted at the growing cultural tourism industry.
  • Facilitate the commercial development of cultural enterprises.
  • Work with other programs that support entrepreneurial development in young people.

3.3.7 Development of RWA area into Aboriginal cultural precinct

Achievements to date

The RWA is implementing a number of strategies to reposition Redfern-Waterloo as a major cultural precinct in Sydney. Opportunities for cultural enterprise development are expected to grow commensurate with the success of the revitalisation program.

The CarriageWorks Contemporary Performing Arts Centre currently operating at the North Eveleigh provides a unique opportunity to develop a cultural industry precinct within the RWA operational area. To facilitate this, the RWA-owned Australian Technology Park is providing sponsorship support of $125,000 over four years to help bring the Sydney Festival to the CarrriageWorks each January.

The North Eveleigh cultural precinct has become the creative heart of the RWA urban renewal program; an evolving and dynamic urban area offering a unique environment for residential and commercial development.

The RWA has identified the opportunity for a significant Aboriginal Arts Centre to be developed in the North Eveleigh precinct. The centre would showcase Aboriginal arts as well as provide the opportunity for cultural industry development. This would include Indigenous design, textile printing and clothing manufacturing sold through the Arts Centre and retail outlets.

Through the development of local markets at North Eveleigh, a number of other enterprise opportunities will arise through food stalls, craft and art stalls and entertainment. Involvement of Aboriginal people in these markets will be a key element in their success and will be what differentiates them from other markets across Sydney.

The North Eveleigh cultural precinct, along with the development of Indigenous cultural tourism in the area, will create employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

To support and sustain a cultural industry sector, the RWA in partnership with the Department of State and Regional Development, will hold cultural industries business development workshops in 2008. The workshops will focus on market and arts development opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Redfern-Waterloo area.

3.3.8 Cultural resilience

The RWA is committed to strengthening Aboriginal cultural resilience through the development of enterprises that celebrate Aboriginal culture.

Achievements to date

Yaama Dhiyaan has provided Aboriginal people with a place in their community where they are proud to be Aboriginal. Yaama celebrates Aboriginal culture through its cuisine. It is a show case for Aboriginal art, showing pieces from the Boomali Aboriginal Artist collection.

The management and staff at Yaama is Aboriginal and the Aboriginal community expresses its support by choosing to have their weddings, wakes, birthday parties, elder's events and policy launches at Yaama.

Aunty Beryl Van Oploo teaches the non Aboriginal community about the culture of Aboriginal Australians. Aunty Beryl embodies cultural resilience. Yaama hosts cultural awareness and appreciation events for schools, businesses, universities and the private sector.

Over 100 students graduate from Yaama Dhiyaan and the Les Tobler Training Centre annually. At the completion of each course a formal graduation ceremony allows the family and friends of the students to come together to celebrate the success of their child, parent or relative in a joyous public event. These events celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture in an Aboriginal environment and provide positive role models of successful Aboriginal people.

Cultural resilience is the ability to withstand the pressure that main stream society places on marginalised communities. The Authority's position is to maximise the number of Aboriginal people who successfully complete their education and move into employment or enterprise development thereby achieving economic independence. Economic independence facilitates self determination.

Future Direction

The Authority's is committed to work with Aboriginal people to cement the positive initiatives in the Redfern Waterloo area and to facilitate the ongoing celebration of Aboriginal culture through the development of an Aboriginal Arts Centre and Aboriginal cultural industries.

4.0 Human Services Plan

A review of human services in Redfern and Waterloo conducted in 2004 concluded that many services in the area were poorly coordinated and integrated. In some instances, the review found that there were also administrative inefficiencies, poor governance and there was service duplication. It was noted that services could offer better value for money if enhanced integration was achieved.

The Redfern Waterloo Authority developed the Redfern-Waterloo Human Services Plan in partnership with Commonwealth, State and Local government agencies, service providers and the local community. The Plan aims to improve the coordination, quality and access to health, education, disability, transport, employment and other human services in Redfern and Waterloo.

The Human Services Plan was developed in Phases. Phase One focuses on improving services delivered to children and families, Aboriginal people and young people. It also identifies priorities and actions to address improvements to the delivery of health services.

Phase Two looks at improvements to service delivery for older people, people with disabilities, migrant communities and homeless people.

Along with improvements to service delivery the Plan also sets out to improve the capacity of non-government organisations (NGOs) operating in the area to deliver better services.

Overall, the Human Services Plan is premised on delivering positive outcomes for the Redfern-Waterloo community, to be achieved through reforms to service delivery within existing resources.

4.1 Phase One

On 13 December 2005 the NSW State Cabinet endorsed the release of the Redfern-Waterloo Human Services Plan (Phase One).

The Phase One priorities are:

  • Improve the health and well being of children;
  • Lift local school numeracy and literacy levels to at least the state average;
  • Lift local school attendance and retention rates to at least the state average;
  • Improve support for vulnerable people;
  • Reduce the incidence of family violence;
  • Increase participation and involvement of young people in the community;
  • Increase numbers of young people accessing employment and training opportunities;
  • Reduce drug and alcohol misuse;
  • Reduce offending and recidivism; and
  • Build community capacity.

4.1.1 Services for Aboriginal people

As part of the development of the Human Service Plan, NSW Government agencies have worked with Aboriginal and other service providers to ensure the strategies and actions in the plan deliver positive outcomes for the Aboriginal community.

NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations are also required as part of the Plan to provide services in a culturally appropriate manner and in ways that are relevant to the needs of the Aboriginal community.

The Plan also creates opportunities for the Aboriginal community to find ways forward and for Elders to pass on heritage to children and young people in a positive way. Where appropriate actions in the Plan have also been linked to Two Ways Together, the NSW Government's Aboriginal Affairs Plan 2003-2012.

Achievements to date

There has been much progress of the Human Services Plan Phase One to date. Reports on the implementation of actions by Government agencies have been collected by the RWA on a quarterly basis and base line data relating to the priority areas has also been recorded and will continue to be recorded until 2010 to track the anticipated changes over time.

Actions by agencies that have already been achieved in the priority areas and that will specifically assist in closing the gap to overcome indigenous disadvantage include the following:

Improving the health and well-being of children
  • The Aboriginal Teenage mothers' sustained home visiting project is in place in Redfern and Waterloo.
  • A Pathways Project that documents service delivery pathways to care from maternity hospitals in the Eastern Zone for pregnant women and family with young children has been completed.
  • Early Childhood Action team formed by NSW Department of Community Service to support playgroups
  • Connect Redfern is providing support to programs such as the Inner City Mobile Playbus and Playgroups in the Parks incorporating targeted early literacy and numeracy activities as well as facilitating network and support forums for childcare workers.
  • Redfern Occasional Care has provided an additional 10 baby places.
Lift local school numeracy and literacy levels to at least the State average
  • Plans that have explicit literacy and numeracy goals to meet Department of Education and Training targets for Aboriginal students are in place at Alexandria Park Community School (APCS) and Darlington Public School (Aboriginal students make up a significant proportion of these school communities).
  • The Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre to improve literacy among disadvantaged children is in operation.
  • Early intervention approaches to literacy e.g. Reading Recovery is being implemented by APCS and Darlington Public School.
Lift local school attendance and retention rates to at least the State average
  • Targeted leadership programs for Aboriginal students are in place at APCS, Green Square School and Darlington Public School.
  • Regional student welfare consultant and regional consultant Aboriginal education are acting as initial mentors for Aboriginal students.
  • Restorative Justice Practices with a strong emphasis on Aboriginal students and involving Aboriginal mentors being trialled at APCS
  • Mentor training for Aboriginal Education Aides, Aboriginal tutors and community members offered.
  • All Aboriginal Department of Community Services (DoCS) workers have been trained in Family Decision Making practices.
  • All Aboriginal DoCS workers have committed to participating in a Family Conferencing model.
  • Redfern Waterloo Case Co-ordination Project targets school attendance for at risk children and young people.
  • Plan-it-Youth (youth mentoring program) Coordinator appointed and program is being rolled out at APCS.
Improve support for vulnerable people
  • DoCS Early Intervention Team established to support improved access to and coordination of services to families in need of assistance and improved case management – this includes increased staff numbers at Yallamundi the Aboriginal Intensive Family Based service run by DoCS.
Reduce the incidence of Family Violence
  • Family Violence Taskforce established. This Taskforce has representation from local Aboriginal organisations.
  • Family Violence position established at Mudgin-gal (funded by FACSIA)
  • RWA have supported the 'Black out Violence' campaign (resource development and support of local activities).
  • Two additional Police Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers have been employed in the Local Area Command
  • RWA have sponsored the Mudgin-gal Chairperson to attend interstate conference
Increase participation and involvement of young people in the community
  • RWA have supported the establishment of Midnight Basketball program in Redfern
  • The City of Sydney has supported young people from Redfern and Waterloo to participate in the Nura Mani Athletic Carnival and in the ATSI Basketball Nationals.
  • Establishment of the Koori Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program
  • Horse Whispering Program with NSW Police Horse for young people
  • Police Youth mentoring program
  • Commencement of Police Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee
  • RWA Aboriginal Boy and Men's Fishing Mentoring Clinic
  • Youthblock Health Service have developed two programs specifically targeting Aboriginal youth — Rediscovering Native Ancestry & Photo U & Me — creative arts program reconnecting Aboriginal young people to their communities and health services.
Increase numbers of young people accessing employment and training issues

See Chapter 3 on Training, Enterprise and Employment

Reduce Drug and Alcohol misuse
  • RWA and City of Sydney have developed a proposal for a Dry Alcohol Facility in Redfern that will cater specifically for Aboriginal men. This project has attained support from the NSW Department of Housing in the provision of a facility with the RWA allocating funding for the refurbishment of the building. Funding is being sought from the Commonwealth to operate the service.
  • Aboriginal organisations have been consulted regarding the establishment of the Redfern Waterloo Drug & Alcohol Taskforce
  • The Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program is providing high percentages of referrals for Aboriginal people in Redfern and Waterloo with 66% of Aboriginal referrals completing the program.
  • Holistic Healing practices offered in Redfern & Waterloo
  • Aboriginal school community consulted regarding the delivery of culturally appropriate drug and alcohol educations to young Aboriginal people in schools.
  • Increase in Aboriginal baby birth weights, reduction in neonatal deaths and reduced the risks of associated domestic violence and child protection issues through increased numbers of women accessing the South West Area Health Service Perinatal and Family Drug Health Service.
  • Development and implementation of a range of actions through the Waterloo Green Action Plan to address the health needs of street drinkers
Reduce offending and recidivism
  • Increased use of Youth Justice Conferencing — Police implementing young offenders legal referrals in partnership with the Aboriginal Legal Service
  • The Start Again Mentoring Program (StAMP) links local residents (trained as mentors) to people who have exited custody and are now living in or connected to the City of Sydney Local Government Area. It is in place as part of the Redfern Waterloo Community Safety Action Plan.
Building community capacity
  • The RWA with NSW TAFE provided cross cultural awareness training to NGO's and Government agencies .
  • The RWA in partnership with NSW TAFE provided Governance training to the Aboriginal NGO's within the RWAs operational area.
  • A Sticky-Beak Tour of government agencies roles and responsibilities was offered to all NGO's.
  • Babana Men's Group — the RWA have provided resources and support to this group since it's inception in February 2006. This 100 strong group of men meet on a monthly basis to promote positive involvement of Aboriginal men in the local community in a variety of activities and programs.
  • The RWA support and participate in the local Women's group, the Koori Interagency and HACC Koori Advisory Group.
  • RWA have supported a number of NAIDOC week activities in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
  • RWA have supported the Koori Knockout competition in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

4.1.2 Review and Evaluation of the progress of the Human Services Plan Phase One.

An independent qualified consultant has been contracted to undertake the review and evaluation of the progress of the Human Services Plan Phase One to date.

An Evaluation Framework for the Human Services Plan has been developed and was endorsed by the relevant stakeholders in June 2006.

This framework consists of a hierarchy of outcome, intermediate and process indicators covering the ten key priority areas.

Key tasks in developing the Evaluation report will include:

  • Review of relevant plans and policies including the State Plan 2006 and Two Ways Together for Aboriginal people.
  • Assembly and interpretation of 12 month data on outcome indicators compared to baseline data.
  • Assembly and interpretation of 12 month data on service output and intermediate indicators compared to baseline data.
  • Assembly and assessment of agency performance in implementing key actions and strategies, and
  • Consultation with key stakeholders including government agencies, non government agencies and community.

The draft evaluation report will be prepared for circulation to the Human Services Plan Implementation Senior Officers Group for comment in early March 2008. The Human Services Plan will continue to be reviewed and evaluated on a biennial basis to monitor progress and achievement of anticipated outcomes for the community of Redfern and Waterloo.

4.2 Draft Phase Two- Human Services Plan

The draft Phase Two of the Human Services Plan has been the subject of a community consultation process. The draft Plan proposes to continue the implementation of Phase One and ensure consistency and complementarity between actions in the two phases. The draft Plan is currently awaiting formal Government endorsement.

The draft Phase Two of the Plan is intended to help achieve three major priorities under the State Plan: Strengthening Aboriginal Communities, Opportunity and support for the most vulnerable and early intervention to tackle disadvantage.

The eight draft priority areas are:

  • Improving dementia support;
  • Improving service quality for migrant communities;
  • Improving access to aged care and health services by Aboriginal people 45 years and older;
  • Reducing homelessness;
  • Improving identification of need and access to services for people with a disability;
  • Reducing social isolation;
  • Improving access to local and community transport for people who are transport disadvantaged; and
  • Improving safety and amenity.

Key draft actions arising from the priorities are to:

  • Make it easier for older people to access dementia services by improving hours of operation;
  • Involve general practitioners in diagnosis, care and case management;
  • Increase respite services for carers;
  • Improve access to information through community language radio and newspapers;
  • Improve access to English classes for new migrants;
  • Establish a Redfern Community Health Centre to improve the delivery and coordination of health services to the local community;
  • Examine the extension of the Seniors Card to Aboriginal people aged 45 or older;
  • Examine the need for an aged care facility for Aboriginal people;
  • Increase the number of Aboriginal people working in local services;
  • Develop a support service for homeless people that is culturally appropriate and addresses the needs of 'transient' homeless people;
  • Pilot housing models that lead to sustainable accommodation;
  • Develop an affordable housing strategy;
  • Ensure modifications to Redfern Railway Station, and other infrastructure, cater to people with disability;
  • Undertake community safety audits in public housing estates with the support and assistance of tenants;
  • Give greater consideration to current tenants' needs in the allocation of new tenancies;
  • Introduce an ongoing audit of maintenance in public housing such as repairing lights, doors and removal of graffiti;
  • Involve older people in classroom and school activities;
  • Examine the need for enhanced community facilities in the Redfern-Waterloo area;
  • Trial projects that improve transport access for older people, people with disability, transient people and people with low incomes;
  • Improve transport connections to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and shopping venues;
  • Actively engage older people in planning and implementing urban renewal strategies and improving the use of public space;
  • Review current and future Department of Housing maintenance work plans;
  • Improve access to community facilities such as libraries, computer rooms, meeting rooms and community kitchens; and
  • Examine the need for additional aged care facilities in the Redfern-Waterloo area.

4.2.1 Phase Two Evaluation

Subject to endorsement by Government, the Human Services Plan Phase Two will also have a specific evaluation framework developed to review and evaluate progress. The Evaluation Framework contains a hierarchy of outcome indicators, service output or intermediate indicators and process indicators representing the core priority areas within the Human Services Plan Phase Two enabling performance to be monitored.

The Evaluation Framework will be developed in conjunction with agencies following endorsement of the Plan.

5. 0 Conclusion

The experience of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority in its relatively short period of operation is that there are no quick fix solutions to the problems of entrenched social and economic disadvantage.

The NSW Government's decision to establish an urban renewal authority with a clearly-defined purpose - to prepare and implement a long-term strategic plan for the area's revitalisation - has laid a solid foundation for future growth and prosperity. Essential linkages are being created to ensure that the benefits of urban renewal are shared by those in most need. However, positive change to the status quo is invariably incremental.

It is crucial that all tiers of government continue to engage with the local community and contribute significantly towards finding solutions to endemic social problems. The local community must also accept its share of responsibility and play a major role.

The Indigenous community of Redfern-Waterloo has suffered social and economic disadvantage over a sustained period of time. While there are many success stories which regrettably do not receive due recognition, there is no denying that poverty, lack of opportunity, unemployment, inadequate training and skills, crime, substance abuse and poor health are factors which continue to confront the local Indigenous community. These necessarily contribute to the lifetime expectancy gap.

Within its available resources, the RWA has deliberately targeted its strategies towards addressing the root causes of Indigenous disadvantage. A major effort is being made to leverage off the employment opportunities created by Redfern-Waterloo's new economic growth.

As the Employment and Enterprise Plan states:

The RWA's employment and enterprise development strategy aims to directly challenge the area's social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, educational and life opportunities and a higher standard of living.

The RWA sees wealth creation as an antidote to welfare dependency. The path to wealth creation through well-paid employment is education – whether this be education at university or through vocational education

The early signs are that these innovative strategies have not only been successful, but in some respects they have been life-changing.

In the Redfern-Waterloo context, every forward incremental step must be regarded as critically important.

6.0 Appendices

The RWA submission contained as Appendices the various Plans produced by the RWA. We have provided links to those plans on the RWA website for convenience

A. RWA's Built Environment Plan (Stage One)

Built Environment Plan (pdf~13mb) Please note that this is a very large file. If your PC does not have the capacity to open it please see below the Plan broken up into its various components or alternatively open the plain text file and the Plan diagrams separately.

Cover (pdf ~678kb)
Table of contents (pdf ~81kb)
Section 1 Introduction (pdf ~821kb)
Section 2 The Redfern-Waterloo area (pdf ~1.6mb)
Section 3 Strategies (pdf ~5.5mb)
Section 4.1 – 4.3 Land Use and Design concepts (pdf ~2.1mb)
Section 4.4 – 4.5 Land Use and Design concepts continued (pdf ~1.4mb)
Section 4.6 – 4.8 Land Use and Design concepts continued (pdf ~1.4kb)
Section 5 & 6 future Tasks (pdf ~300kb)

Click here for plain text file
(pdf ~741kb)

B. RWA's Employment and Enterprise Plan

Redfern-Waterloo Employment & Enterprise Plan (pdf ~154kb)

C. RWA's Human Services Plan (Phase One)

Redfern-Waterloo Human Services Plan (Phase 1) (pdf ~298kb)

D. RWA's Human Services Plan (Phase Two) Draft

Draft Redfern Waterloo Phase 2 Human Services Plan (pdf ~126kb)

[Source: This is an OCR Text version of the Body of the Submission by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Closing the Gap – Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage, Sydney 30 November 2007. The Original Submission is not in text form and can be downloaded from the Inquiry website from the following link No. 11, Redfern-Waterloo Authority.]

IMPORTANT NOTE ON OCR TEXT: As this text version is produced by OCR, it is possible that it contains some errors. REDWatch can not guarantee it is 100% accurate. You should check the original scan to to satisfy yourself the text is correct. This version is to enable people to electronically search the submission which is impossible in its original scan form.