REDWatch Disclaimer: To make the document readable some text may have been moved slightly and the Financials and Notes to the Accounts have been excluded from this text extract. This is provided as a tool to researchers and any referencing to the RWA Annual Report 2008-2009 should check any text found here against the pdf version of the Annual report found on the RWA’s website. While REDWatch has taken care to check the electronic extraction of the text we can not guarantee that this document is error free.

Contents

Minister’s Letter

Charter

Statement from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer

Aims & Objectives

Corporate Governance

RWA Executive Team

Board Member Profiles

Chapter 01: Heritage

Redfern

Waterloo

Eveleigh & Darlington

Indigenous servicemen & women honoured at 2009 Anzac Day event

Chapter 02: Moving Forward Together

Built Environment Plan

Human Services Plan

Training, Employment and Enterprise Plan

Aboriginal Employment Model (IEM)

Chapter 03: Community & Culture

Community Health Centre

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence

Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College

Les Tobler Construction Training Centre

The Eveleigh Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Chapter 04: Investing for the Future

Australian Technology Park (ATP)

North Eveleigh / Redfern Station

Sponsorships/Grants provided by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Financials

Appendices

The vision of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) is to establish Redfern-Waterloo as an active, vibrant and sustainable community by promoting and supporting greater social cohesion and community safety, respect for the cultural heritage, and the orderly development of the area in consideration of social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development.

PHOTO (LEFT): Family & Culture Day

PHOTO (FRONT COVER): Stallholders at the Eveleigh Markets in the 08/09 financial year

Minister’s Letter

The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP

Minister for Redfern-Waterloo

Parliament House

Macquarie Street

Sydney

Dear Minister Keneally,

It is with pleasure that I forward you the fifth Annual Report of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority for the year ending 30 June 2009.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Annual Report (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 No 87, the Annual Report (Statutory Bodies) Regulation 2000 and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 No 107.

Yours Sincerely

Roy Wakelin-King

Chief Executive Officer

Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Charter

Redfern and Waterloo are located just south of Sydney’s Central Business District. To the south-west are Sydney’s economic gateways, Port Botany and Sydney Airport.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) was created by a NSW Government Act of Parliament in Oct 2004 (Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 No 107) and established on 17 January 2005.

The RWA is responsible for revitalising Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington through strategic urban renewal, job creation and improved human services in consideration of social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development, public spaces, Aboriginal community needs, social cohesion and community safety.

Under the direction of the NSW Government’s 10-year urban renewal program for Redfern-Waterloo, the revitalisation of the area has instilled renewed confidence in the region and encouraged an influx of creative enterprise and private investment. With the amount of commercial, residential and community facilities being developed or refurbished as a direct result of RWA initiatives, Redfern-Waterloo is seeing the benefits of a commitment to reinvestment, jobs and sustainable economic prosperity.

Since the inception of the RWA in 2005, the NSW Government has directly facilitated the investment of well over $600 million towards infrastructure development, the provision of improved human services and employment opportunities for the local community including dedicated roles for Indigenous workers.

Statement from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer

We are pleased to present the Redfern-Waterloo Authority’s (RWA) Annual Report for 2008/09 – a year of continued growth and strengthening of the Redfern and Waterloo communities.

In the past twelve months the RWA has reached some significant milestones in the urban renewal of the area that is leading to real change for the local community.

The Affordable Housing Planning Agreement between the RWA and Frasers Property, the owners of the former Carlton United Brewery Site, was executed on the 28th November 2008 and will generate approximately $32 million in contributions for the provision of affordable housing within the RWA operational area.

The refurbishment of the Blacksmiths Workshop at North Eveleigh was completed in late 2008 and a special Farmers Christmas Market was held on the 13th December 2008 with great success. The Markets commenced regular trading in February 2009 and have attracted a large and loyal following of around 3,300 people each week.

The Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, the Hon. Kristina Keneally announced the approval of the North Eveleigh Concept Plan for the redevelopment of the historic former Eveleigh Railway Yards on the 31 January, 2009. The Concept Plan provides for a mixed use precinct for living, working, recreation and will offer affordable housing for key workers in the area, such as teachers, nurses and police.

The site will be developed over the next five to seven years and will accommodate residential, commercial, retail, cultural and community uses as well as public open space.

The $550 million redevelopment will create approximately 6,500 jobs including 3,300 construction jobs with 300 of these positions being for Aboriginal people. Approximately 3,000 permanent jobs will be created from the commercial, retail and cultural development of the site.

The redevelopment will also help fund an upgrade to the Redfern Railway Station, promoting public transport use for existing and future residents and workers.

Work commenced in 2009 on the redevelopment of the Redfern Police Station and Courthouse into a Community Health Centre. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2009 and once opened this development will create up to 94 full-time jobs.

Construction continued on the $123 million development at Australian Technology Park that will become the headquarters for Channel 7 and Pacific Magazines in 2010. This facility will be a media hub for Sydney and will bring over 2,000 people into the Redfern-Waterloo area on a daily basis. The positive impacts this will have on boosting the local economy and assisting to further energise the area is expected to be significant.

The development of the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence on the former Redfern Public School site moved forward in the past twelve months resulting in the construction of the Eora Sports, Arts and Recreation Centre a state-of-the-art recreation facility that will offer a wide range of accessible programs to the community and the construction of the Eora Campus that will provide accommodation for over 100 people to both Indigenous and non Indigenous sporting teams, schools and tour groups from throughout Australia. This major new development is due to open in late 2009 and will not only bring visitors from all over the country to the area, it will provide an exciting new local facility for the people from Redfern and Waterloo.

The RWA continued to work closely with Housing NSW in 2008/09 to investigate options and ideas for the revitalisation and renewal of social housing within Redfern-Waterloo.

The RWA’s training programs continued to go from strength to strength over the last twelve months.

The Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training Centre trained both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people to gain a Certificate II in Hospitality Operations and saw 66% of graduates from the four courses held go on to either paid employment or other training and educational opportunities.

Yaama Dhiyaan’s Aboriginal operators Aunty Beryl Van Oploo and Mathew Cribb were invited by the Slow Food Movement to attend an international meeting – Terra Madre (Mother Earth) in Turin, Italy in October 2008. The involvement of Yaama Dhiyaan in this international association that protects the traditional ways of farming and cooking demonstrates the profile that this RWA initiative is gaining as a leader in indigenous cuisine.

The RWA ran four Koori Job Ready Courses in Construction in the 2008/09 financial year resulting in 85% of graduates going on to work in the construction industry. This was the first year that the RWA took total responsibility for the management and implementation of the course which allowed the students to undertake their entire training on site at the RWA’s Les Tobler Construction Centre.

The success of the RWA’s ground breaking Aboriginal Employment Model that was developed to ensure the creation of employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the construction industry continues as other sectors of Government are now using it to employ Aboriginal people on their construction projects. The Aboriginal Employment Model has created over 450 employment opportunities for Indigenous workers to date.

Work is steadily progressing on the implementation of the Human Services Plan with both government and non-government agencies working together to achieve better outcomes for people in the local community through the implementation of the Plan’s actions. The progress of actions continues to be monitored on a monthly basis through the Human Services Implementation Senior Officers Group and this advice continued to be reported to the Chief Executive Officers of Human Service Government agencies and to the Minister for Redfern-Waterloo.

The RWA’s Case Coordination Project continued to achieve positive results in 2008/09. This project provides a coordinated process whereby government and non-government human service agencies work together to plan and implement appropriate interventions and strategies to address the needs of at risk children and young people in the Redfern and Waterloo area.

The RWA was active in supporting a range of groups throughout the year through the Community Gants Program. This included support of sports, arts, cultural and educational activities and events in the community as well as enabling individuals and organisations to attend conferences and trade shows to further build on this vibrant community.

The RWA remains firmly focused on urban renewal, improved human services and job creation for the residents of Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington. The RWA is committed to delivering of improved outcomes for the Redfern Waterloo area and looks forward to continuing this work in 2009/201.

Dr. Col Gellatly AO

Chairperson

Roy Wakelin-King

Chief Executive Officer

Aims & Objectives

• To encourage the urban renewal of Redfern-Waterloo into an active, vibrant and sustainable community;
• To promote, support and respect the Aboriginal community in Redfern-Waterloo with regards to the importance of the area to the Aboriginal people;
• To promote the orderly development of Redfern-Waterloo whilst taking into consideration principles of social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development;
• To provide and promote housing choices in the operational area;
• To enable the establishment of public areas in Redfern-Waterloo; and
• To promote greater social cohesion and community safety in Redfern-Waterloo.

In order to achieve its aims and objectives, the RWA maintains an undertaking to:

• Promote, facilitate, manage and secure the social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development and use of the operational area, including the development and management of land, the provision of infrastructure and the establishment of public areas;
• Provide and promote housing choices in the operational area (including for Aboriginal residents);
• Provide and promote employment opportunities for local residents, commercial opportunities for local businesses and cultural development (including the needs of the Aboriginal community) in the operational area;
• Enhance and manage public places in the operational area and to improve, maintain and regulate the use of those public places;
• Promote, co-ordinate, organise, manage, undertake, secure, provide and conduct cultural, educational, commercial, recreational, entertainment and transport activities and facilities in the operational area; and
• Do any other thing for the sustainable improvement of the operational area.

                                 CEO --------------:

                                     :                    v

                                     :                Business

                                     :                Administration

                                     :

                   :-----------------------:------------------------:------------------:

                   v                            v                              v                      v

Human Services             Training, Employment     Planning and     Urban Renewal

Community Relations     & Enterprise                  Urban Design

Corporate Governance

The Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, the Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, is responsible for the control and direction of the RWA. The Minister has established a Board of Governance and, while the Board establish the policies and directions for the RWA, its day to day management is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.

There are four Board Committees:

Audit And Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee is the focal point for communication between the Board, the external auditors, the internal auditors and management, as their duties relate to the financial accounting, reporting and internal controls and compliance.

The Audit and Risk Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities as to accounting policies and reporting practices of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority. It is to be the Board's principal agent in assuring the independence of RWA auditors, the integrity of management and the adequacy of the disclosures to the public.

Membership: John Mullaly (Chair), Jim Mitchell, Sam Mostyn and CEO.

Human Services Committee

The Human Services Committee assists the Board in implementing the Human Services Plan.

Membership: Sam Mostyn (Chair), Ann Weldon, John Mullaly, Lucy Hughes Turnbull and CEO.

Affordable Housing Committee

In accordance with RWA Board Procedures, the Affordable Housing Committee Terms of Reference are as follows:

• To review the development and operation of the proposed affordable housing program for Redfern-Waterloo;
• To review the operation of the Affordable Housing Voluntary Planning Agreement for the CUB site; and
• To review the operation of the Affordable Housing Contributions Plan for Redfern-Waterloo.

Membership: Ann Weldon, Lucy Hughes Turnbull, Warren Mundine and CEO.

Urban Renewal Committee

The Urban Renewal Committee reviews and advises on proposed urban renewal strategies in accordance with the RWA's Built Environment Plan.

Membership: Col Gellatly AO (Chair), Lucy Hughes Turnbull, Richard Johnson, Michael Collins and CEO.

                             Minister for Redfern-Waterloo

                                              :

                                      RWA Board

        :------------------:-------------------:----------------------:

       v                       v                       v                           v

Audit Risk         Human Services   Urban Renewal    Affordable Housing

Committee        Committee          Committee           Committee

RWA Executive Team

PHOTO L-R: Ian Cutcher, Kim DiLeva, Julie Dodd, Joanne McGuinness, Roy Wakelin-King, Julie Parsons ABSENT: Denny Hall

Board Member Profiles

Board members are appointed in accordance with Section 9 Schedule 2 of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Dr Colin Gellatly AO B Ag Ec 9 (Hons) UNE, M Comm (Hons) UNSW, Ph D NC State, FIPAA

Term of Appointment 23/01/08 to 16/01/11

Dr Col Gellatly AO was Chairperson of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and Australian Technology Park, as of 1 July 2007. Dr Gellatly AO is the former Director-General of the Premier’s Department, a role which he held since being appointed in 1994. He has held a number of senior management positions within the NSW public service, including as Director General of the Department of Land and Water Conservation. He is also Chair of Pillar Corporation, a member of the Board of State Water Corporation, a member of the UNE Council, member of Board of the NSW Rugby League and an Administrator, Wollongong City Council. Dr Gellatly AO has a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of New England, a Master of Commerce from the University of NSW and a PhD from North Carolina State University.

Mr Michael Collins FRICS

Term of Appointment 18/01/09 to 16/01/11

Mike Collins is a Sydney property practitioner. He has been involved in property economics, real estate valuation, property consultancy and asset management for over 35 years, and is professionally qualified in property economics and valuation. He runs his own property advisory company based in the Sydney CBD. Mike is the Chairman of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority. He is a board member of the Redfern Waterloo Authority and Australian Technology Park Precinct Management Ltd, a former Chairman of the Heritage Council of NSW and a former National and NSW President of the Australian Property Institute.

Mr Richard Johnson MBE M Phil (UCL) B.Arch Hons 1 (UNSW) FRAIA

Term of Appointment 23/01/08 to 16/01/11

Richard Johnson is an award winning architect and a director of Johnson Pilton Walker Architects. He was awarded the 2008 RAIA Gold Medal for his exceptional body of work and his contribution to the profession. He is a Professor in the Faculty of the Built Environment at UNSW, A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and a member of the Design Institute of Australia. He advises the Sydney Opera House Trust on the future of the building and is a member of the City of Sydney Design Advisory Panel.

He serves on the Boards of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, Australian Technology Park and the Australian Architects Association. Mr Johnson holds a Bachelor of Architecture from UNSW and a Masters of Philosophy (Town Planning) from University College London. In 1976 he was made a member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Architecture.

Ms Samantha Mostyn BA LLB

Term of Appointment 18/01/09 to 16/01/11

Sam Mostyn has an extensive background in business, management, law and sustainability. She recently left Insurance Australia Group (IAG) after six years as Group Executive, Culture and Reputation, a role in which she was responsible for Human Resources, Organisational Effectiveness, Corporate and Government Affairs, and Corporate Sustainability functions. Prior to joining IAG in 2002, Sam held senior executive roles at Optus and spent two years in London as Group Director Human Resources for Cable and Wireless plc. She serves on the Boards of the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Museum Reconciliation Australia, Australian Volunteers International and the AFL. She also serves on the NSW and QLD Climate Change Councils and Chairs the Advisory Council of CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship Project.

Mr Warren Mundine, CEO & Company Secretary – NTSCORP Limited

Term of Appointment 23/01/07 to 16/01/11

Warren Mundine is the CEO of NTSCORP Ltd and an advocate for empowering Indigenous people to break the poverty cycle and build a strong Indigenous economy. A Doctor of the University (honoris causa) (Southern Cross University), Mr Mundine is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also Chairman of the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and Chair of NSW Labor’s Indigenous Policy Committee. He is an Executive Member of the National Native Title Council; a Director of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation; a member of

Southern Cross University Foundation; a Board member of NAISDA Limited; and Ambassador for the Song Room and Indigenous Ambassador for the Australian Football Federation. Warren has been appointed by the Prime Minister to the Australian Government’s National Policy Commission – Indigenous Housing Committee. Mr Mundine has been involved in the development of the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) as an executive of the steering committee and has had considerable involvement in local government.

Ms Lucy Hughes Turnbull LLB (Sydney), MBA (UNSW)

Term of Appointment 18/01/09 to 16/01/11

Lucy Hughes Turnbull is a Director of the Board of Melbourne IT, an Australian publicly-listed internet services company with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. She is also a Board Member of Australian Technology Park in Redfern, the Centre for Independent Studies, the Redfern Foundation Limited, the Turnbull Foundation and the NSW Cancer Institute. Lucy was Sydney’s first female Lord Mayor ( 2003-4) and Deputy Lord Mayor ( 1999-2003). She served as a Councillor on the City of Sydney from 1999-2004 and chaired many council committees, including the Central Sydney Planning Committee, the Planning, Transport and Development Committee and the Finance and Audit Committees. Lucy has also been active in the not for profit sector and is currently Chair of the Salvation Army’s City of Sydney Red Shield Appeal and Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney. Her interests include history, contemporary culture, planning, architecture and design and, in 1999, published the book Sydney – Biography of a City.

Ms Ann Weldon

Term of Appointment 18/01/09 to 16/01/11

Ann Weldon is a proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation and was one of the founding members of the NSW Aboriginal Children’s Service and Inner West Aboriginal Community Company to name a few. For the past 35 years, Ms Weldon has held executive positions and was a member of a number of Committees including the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Marrickville Aboriginal Consultative Committee and Aboriginal Legal Service. Ms Weldon was elected to the Sydney ATSIC Regional Council for three consecutive terms as a Councillor and as the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. Ann was appointed to the inaugural NSW Aboriginal Housing Board in 1998 as an ATSIC nominee and was then appointed the first female Chairperson of the NSW Housing Board from 2000 until 2007. Ann is also a Board Member of the Australian Technology Park.

Mr John Mulally (Appointed 23 January 2008) BA LLB (Hons)

Term of Appointment 23/01/08 to 16/01/11

John has almost 40 years experience as a lawyer specialising in major property and infrastructure projects. He has acted for major Australian and off-shore developers and investors, Australian and State Government instrumentalities and off-shore Governments. This has included the acquisition, development and sale of major projects in all capital cities of Australia as well as in Vanuatu, Jakarta, Bangkok,Singapore, Tokyo, London, Paris, St Petersburg, Kiev, Moscow and New York. He has also advised on major energy projects in Australia and off-shore. He is currently advising on major infrastructure and renewable energy projects in China and Africa. His role in these projects deals with the funding structure, legal requirements and the integration of the commercial with the legal outcomes required to achieve project development. John is also a member of the Australian Technology Park Board.

RESERVED BOARD MEMBERS

Current CEO – Mr Roy Wakelin-King BPS (UNE) GDP Bus (UTS)

Roy Wakelin-King was appointed the Chief Executive Officer on 16th February 2009. Prior to this, Roy was the Deputy Director General of the Office of Public Works & Services with the NSW Department of Commerce. Roy was also CEO of the World Youth Day Coordination Authority which coordinated the delivery of Government services for the highly successful World Youth Day 2008. Roy has been an Executive Director within the NSW Ministry of Transport in the position of Director- Transport Operations Division. This role involved the leadership and management of a multi-discipline division that coordinates the delivery of essential public transport services to the public of NSW. Roy has extensive experience in both operations and project leadership, particularly in the fields of transport and logistics. His experience includes a short Army career as a commissioned officer followed bya series of senior project and operational appointments within the NSW Government. Roy is also a member of the Australian Technology Park Board.

Former CEO – Mr Robert Domm BA LLB (Mon) MLLR (Syd) Grad.Dip.Legal Prac. (ANU)

Robert Domm was Chief Executive Officer of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and Managing Director of Australian Technology Park since the inception of the RWA in 2005 and remained in the role until his appointment by the NSW Government as Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in July 2008. Mr Domm brought broad experience and a strong commitment to social justice during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer with the RWA.

Note: Mohini Nair – Acting CEO, 29 November 2008 – 13 February 2009

MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Invited residents of Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington are also amongst members of three Ministerial Advisory Committees established to advise on matters relating to the development and implementation of the RWA’s Built Environment, Human Services and Employment & Enterprise Plans. These committees also include representatives from Federal, State and Local Government and the area’s Indigenous communities.

DISCLOSURES

The RWA has no related party disclosures to declare.

RWA BOARD ATTENDANCE FYR 08/09

Directors           RWA Board Meetings

                                     A1       B2

Colin Gellatly AO            9          10

Richard Johnson            8          10

Warren Mundine           5          10

John Mulally                  9          10

Mike Collins                  9          10

Sam Mostyn                  9          10

Ann Weldon                  4          10

Robert Domm                5          5

Roy Wakelin-King          5          5

Lucy Turnbull                 9          10

   1 Number of meetings attended   2 Number of meetings held

Chapter 01: Heritage

PHOTO: Redfern (Provided by City of Sydney Archives)

2009 marks 150 years since Redfern was proclaimed a municipality. The construction in Redfern of what was Sydney’s main railway terminus in 1855 transformed the suburb, with the pastoral land divided into small worker’s cottages and terraces for the influx of railway workers.

Redfern

Redfern was named after Dr William Redfern, who arrived in Australia as a convict surgeon and was granted land in the area by Governor Macquarie in 1817. Distinguished by swampy paddocks and grassy plains, Redfern was initially a residential suburb with a significant number of migrant market gardeners and seed growers settling in the area to service the CBD.

The construction in Redfern of what was Sydney’s main railway terminus in 1855 transformed the suburb, with the pastoral land divided into small worker’s cottages and terraces for the influx of railway workers.

Redfern has always been home to a large Aboriginal community. The traditional owners of Redfern were the Gadigal people who lived in the area and its surrounding suburbs for more than 40,000 years prior to European settlement. Following the Great Depression, the Indigenous community in Redfern was largely dispossessed with many squatting in empty buildings. It was in the 1970s that the squatters formed the Aboriginal Housing Company and, in conjunction with the property owners and the newly elected Whitlam government, were given a grant to buy six terrace houses in Redfern’s Eveleigh Street. The area became known as ‘The Block’ and this was the first urban Aboriginal land rights claim of its kind in Australia.

Despite erratic funding, the community-based company had purchased all houses in The Block by 1994. Within 10 years, however, much of the original housing had been demolished, but there are now plans for new residential, commercial and cultural facilities for the local community at The Block.

The area remains culturally and historically significant for Aboriginal people throughout Australia. It is also home to people from a wide range of ackgrounds, with Chinese and Russian the most common household languages spoken after English.

PHOTO: Cnr Regent and Redfern Street

The Block was the first urban Aboriginal land rights claim of its kind in Australia and brought significant positive renewal for the local Aboriginal community.

Illustrations:  The Block Redevelopment – Artists Impression & The Block – Redfern Aug 2009 * Parts reproduced from the Aboriginal Housing Company and AboutNSW websites

RWA is delivering almost $70M in affordable housing over the next decade.

Waterloo

Waterloo was originally the land of the Gadigal clan of the Eora nation and, like Redfern, it began primarily as a pastoral suburb with a significant number of market gardeners and dairy farmers.

When prominent Sydney merchants Daniel Cooper, his brother Robert and Solomon Levey bought the land around Waterloo in 1829, they would further the industrial activity with a paper mill, wool-washing works and a large flour mill. These industrial successes saw the establishment of over 100 manufacturing companies by 1914. With the Great Depression, many Waterloo residents would become unemployed and the suburb became characterised by overcrowded slum-like living conditions and industrial pollution.

The substandard state of housing in Waterloo would have the suburb gazetted for redevelopment through housing estates, following the establishment of the NSW Housing Commission in 1941. Under this plan, much of the suburb’s older houses were demolished to make way for higher density, more affordable housing in the 1950s. Today, these social housing developments account for 49 percent of dwellings in Waterloo. High-rise housing commission towers were proposed in the 1970s but, instead, existing housing was renovated to maintain the heritage value of the Victorian architecture.

PHOTO: Aerial shot of Waterloo

Eveleigh & Darlington

Eveleigh was initially a rural district with several local market gardens and became one of Sydney’s key working class suburbs, predominantly to house workers for the Railway Workshops in the 1880s.

Eveleigh

The Workshops started as a train service and repair centre then began manufacturing steam locomotives in 1908. By this time, more than 3000 people were employed on the site and it was Australia’s largest industrial complex. Following their closure in 1988, the Workshops housed Paddys Markets for a short time while the Haymarket site was being redeveloped and they now form an extensive part of the Australian Technology Park precinct.

Today, the northern area of Eveleigh along Wilson Street is earmarked for significant development, and includes plans for the construction of a Heritage Walk – a pedestrian/cycle bridge to traverse the railway corridor near Redfern Station connecting Australian Technology Park with North Eveleigh and the suburbs beyond. In July 2008, the RWA prepared an Environmental Assessment for the project which was publicly exhibited until mid-August 2008 and also displayed on the RWA’s website.

The North Eveleigh precinct also includes the CarriageWorks complex, and the Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training College & Les Tobler Construction Centre, while visitors from across Sydney have been flocking to the area every weekend since February 2009 for the popular Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets.

Darlington

Darlington was settled in the 1820s when the first land holdings were granted in the area. A plant nursery and fruit garden established by botanist Thomas Shepherd was named after Governor Ralph Darling, and Darlington takes its name from that nursery. Today, a good deal of the area is owned by Sydney

University, with an ever increasing number of new businesses and cafes catering to a steady stream of students.

Note: Parts reproduced from the Aboriginal Housing Company and AboutNSW websites

PHOTO: CarriageWorks Complex

Indigenous servicemen & women honoured at 2009 Anzac Day event

On Anzac Day, 2009, a street march and commemorative service was held in Redfern to honour, recognise and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diggers.

On Anzac Day, 2009, a street march and commemorative service was held in Redfern to honour, recognise and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diggers.

The Redfern Anzac Day event also highlighted the need for greater recognition of our Indigenous servicemen and women in official commemorative ceremonies and public memorials. The street march began at The Block and proceeded to Redfern Park for the commemorative service. ‘The Coloured Digger Project’ is proudly supported by many organisations including the RWA and the City of Sydney, and its organisers are seeking public feedback and input for future Anzac Day events to ensure the wishes of the Indigenous community are met.

PHOTOGRAPED BY: Sarah Barker

PHOTO: Ken Zulumovski places a candle at the Redfern Park War Memorial

Chapter 02: Moving Forward Together

PHOTO: Cnr Regent and Redfern Street

According to Australia’s most recent census in 2006, almost 11,500 people considered Redfern home, 35 percent were born overseas, with Indigenous people making up 2.4 percent of the local population.

The suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo have a rich and varied history. Once staunchly working class, they are now home to a diverse and wide ranging community.

Over the past five years, the area has undergone significant changes including the City of Sydney’s upgrade of Regent/Redfern Streets and Redfern Oval; along with new developments such as the Community Health Centre and National Centre of Indigenous Excellence set to provide first class services and facilities to the local community.

There is a deep sense of community in Redfern and Waterloo. Home to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the area has an iconic status for Aboriginal people Australia wide. Redfern is also the birthplace of many important Aboriginal organisations such as the Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Housing Company which owns and manages The Block, the first urban land rights claim in Australia. Monthly Family and Culture Days are held on The Block and these provide an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate its unique and important Aboriginal culture.

The newly opened Farmers' Markets in North Eveleigh features over 60 regular stall holders offering a vast array of seasonal fresh and value-added produce including organic biodynamic foods from farmers and artisan food producers across NSW, while the Danks St Festival in Waterloo held every October has

become a much loved Sydney event with live entertainment, fabulous food, exhibitions and markets. A number of other exciting businesses have integrated into the industrial heritage of the Danks Street area including art galleries, furniture stores and restaurants.

The local schools’ community centres program, Connect Redfern, offers playgroups at Redfern Park on a regular basis featuring free entertainment and information for families, while Carriageworks provides a multi-venue centre focused on the creation and presentation of contemporary art and offers a myriad of events and performances.

These services and activities ensure Redfern-Waterloo continues to be a vibrant area offering a rich and dynamic lifestyle to its community.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is responsible for the revitalisation of Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington and Eveleigh through urban renewal, improved human services and job creation. This revitalisation is being delivered through the Redfern-Waterloo Plan which consists of three components:

Built Environment Plan (BEP)

Focusing on urban design, traffic, public access, public transport, land use, affordable housing, public housing, cultural heritage and urban renewal.

Human Services Plan (HSP)

Reforming human services and health issues affecting residents of Redfern-Waterloo.

Employment and Enterprise Plan (EEP)

Developing and implementing strategies to increase job and business opportunities in the area, particularly for those within the Indigenous community.

Built Environment Plan

PHOTO: Black Threatre Building

The Built Environment Plan Stage 1 was released in August 2006. The key objective of the BEP involves creating an economic and civic centre around Redfern Station with improved pedestrian connectivity between the business hubs of Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh and the Redfern CBD. This planning framework encourages future economic growth and the creation of up to 18,000 jobs in Redfern and Waterloo. The blueprint includes plans to generate more than 444,000sqm of new employment space, 2,000 new homes, a new town centre and better urban design.

The Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP2) is being developed by RWA in partnership with Housing NSW to provide for the renewal of the social housing estates within Redfern and Waterloo.

Significant Achievements

• Approval of the North Eveleigh Concept Plan by the Minister for Planning on 16 December 2008. The Concept Plan proposes:
• Around 1200 new dwellings near Redfern Station
• Retention and reuse of heritage buildings
• A public open space network including multiple parks
• New community and childcare facilities
• New infrastructure and services including road upgrades
• Creation of around 6,500 jobs
• Completion of the adaptive reuse of the Blacksmiths’ Workshop (North Eveleigh) for markets, community uses and parking
• Commencement of building works on the $10m Redfern Community Health Centre which involves the adaptive reuse of the former Redfern Court House and Police Station in Redfern Street
• Continued construction on the Indigenous Land Corporation’s National Centre of Indigenous Excellence
• Continued construction on the $123m Channel 7 production facility/office complex at Australian Technology Park
• Formation of a Heritage Taskforce
• Development of Redfern Town Centre guidelines
• Processing of development applications

Future Key Tasks

The RWA has commenced research and analysis with the Department of Housing to prepare the Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan (Stage 2). This plan will focus on options for the revitalisation of public housing in Redfern-Waterloo and opportunities to enhance affordable housing by:

• Revitalising public housing stock;
• Improving the associated public domain;
• Reducing the concentration of public housing;
• Increasing the local population for a more sustainable social mix; and
• Facilitating the provision of affordable housing, including a shared equity model of home ownership.

The NSW Government’s commitment to public housing in Redfern-Waterloo has been expressed very clearly.

• 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.

Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee

Mr Robert Domm           (Chairperson June 2008)

Mr Petar Vladeta            (Chairperson September 2008 & December 2008)

Mr Roy Wakelin-King     (Chairperson May 2009)

Mr Michael Bushby        Roads & Traffic Authority

Mr Kevin Sykes Railcorp

Mr Reg Fisk      NSW Department of State & Regional Development

Ms Kathy Roil    Housing NSW

Mr Andrew Thomas        City of Sydney

Mr Chris Johnson           Department of Planning

Mr Steve Tamas Auctionetwork

Community Members

Mr Alex Kibble

Ms Denny Powell

Mr Sol Bellear

Mr Geoffrey Turnbull

Ms Norah McGuire

Human Services Plan

PHOTO: Redfern Street, Redfern

The RWA’s Human Services Plan was developed in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on improving services delivered to children and families, Aboriginal people and young people and was endorsed by NSW Government in December 2005.

The Human Services Plan Phase 2 looks at improving service delivery for older people, people with disabilities, migrant communities and homeless people. Phase 2 was endorsed by NSW Government in May 2008.

The RWA has been responsible for the implementation of the Plan working with the government and non government agencies responsible for the actions contained in the Plan.

Ensuring that the Plan was monitored and evaluated was part of the Redfern- Waterloo Authority’s commitment to overseeing the implementation of the Plan.

An independent consultant was contracted to undertake the evaluation of the implementation of the Human Services Plan Phase 1 in 2008.

The Redfern-Waterloo Human Services Plan Phase 1 Evaluation Report was finalised in June 2009.

The Report reveals good progress on many of the actions, and highlights the fact that the Human Services Plan Phase One has resulted in key human services agencies working more collaboratively, sharing information and targeting specific new initiatives in the area.

The RWA has re-established the Redfern-Waterloo Youth Services Taskforce and Family Violence Taskforce to continue progressive action in these areas.

The Human Services Plan is a work in progress designed to be phased in over a ten year period and the RWA remains focused on urban renewal, improved human services and job creation for the residents of Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington.

Key areas of progress as a direct result of the Plan include:

• The introduction of sustained home visiting of new Aboriginal mothers in Redfern and Waterloo
• Connect Redfern actively involved in a number of the strategies listed in the Human Services Plan including the development of strategies for communicating with parents to increase children’s participation in childcare, supported playgroups and preschools and facilitation of interagency professionals
• Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS) has taken a number of steps to improve the integration of its mental health and drug health services as recommended in the Human Service Plan
• The SSWAHS community mental health team has been able to recruit a full-time Clinical Nurse Consultant to the Redfern Health Centre which has enabled the service to extend its intake hours of operation from 5 to 8 hours per day
• The RWA and the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) provided training in Dadirri - Deep Listening in Indigenous Counselling Skills Training from Gnibi College, Southern Cross University. This five day training course was offered free of charge and provided resource tools to aid the educational / healing process for those working with clients for crisis intervention, counselling or longer term healing interactions
• New Service specifications have been developed for NGO youth service funding agreements with DoCS
• The establishment of the Redfern-Waterloo Community Drug Action Team
• The development and implementation of the Waterloo Green Action Plan
• Support of the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group
• The delivery of a range of community building activities

Human Services Ministerial Advisory Committee

Mr Robert Domm           (Chairperson June 2008)

Mr Petar Vladeta            (Chairperson September 2008)

Dr Phil Lambert              Department of Education & Training

Ms Kristy Masella           Department of Aboriginal Affairs

Dr Greg Stewart            Sydney South West Area Health Service

Ms Meghan Hibbert        Housing NSW

Ms Lisa Charet              Department of Community Services

Ms Sally Trevena           Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination

Superintendent Luke Freudenstien   Redfern Local Area Command

Ms Suzie Matthews       City of Sydney

Mr Steven Gal                Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care

Ms Allison Peters          NCOSS NSW

Ms Lucy Hughes Turnbull

Community Members

Ms Mabel Chang

Mr Robert Perry

Ms Lynette Stewart

Mr Michael Shreenan

Training, Employment and Enterprise Plan

The RWA’s Training, Employment and Enterprise Plan increases employment opportunties, particularly through commercial and residential development.

The Employment & Enterprise Plan was published in May 2006 and was the first comprehensive training and employment strategy for the Redfern-Waterloo area. Its main aim is to deliver skilled job seekers to meet the specific employment needs of the market, to create educational opportunities and build on future growth potential.

The Plan focuses 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

Significant achievements

• The Eveleigh Markets commenced regular trading in February 2008
• The RWA became a member of the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and provided support to the organisation in developing opportunities for local
• Completed research into developing a culture of work, employment and training needs of local business
• Significantly increased land availability for commercial development to sustain 12,000 additional jobs in the area and residential development to sustain 2,000 more residents
• Developed Aboriginal Employment Model- RWA has brokered over 500 employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the construction industry
• Implemented vocational education strategy for local school children through work experience, traineeships, apprenticeships and career events
• Supported local school children to develop business skills through Young Achievers Australia program, Business Advisory Service and schools to markets program
• Supported the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in developing an Aboriginal Employment Strategy
• Developed and Implemented a community based vocational training centre in construction and hospitality
• Implemented a Business Advisory Service for Aboriginal and local residents to grow business opportunities in the area
• Developed a pilot Logistics and Transport training program in partnership with Eora College to fill industry skill shortages
• Opened Eveleigh Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets to offer farm fresh food to the community as well as business opportunities for local people. Eveleigh markets has engaged Aboriginal companies to provide security, cleaning and transport services
• Support of the development of a cultural precinct at North Eveleigh by opening Eveleigh Markets and Yaama Dhiyaan function centre
• Implemented business breakfast workshops for people wishing to set up businesses based at the Eveleigh Markets.
• Implemented workshops in Construction Business Management and Business Management

Future Key Tasks

• Working with the community to develop a Festival of Redfern
• Create a positive brand for Redfern in partnership with City of Sydney, Redfern Chamber of Commerce and local business and the community
• Revitalise the Redfern shopping precinct through economic development strategies and creative streetscape treatments in partnership with City of Sydney and land owners
• Develop an employment strategy with Channel 7 and Global Communications to maximise employment outcomes for the local community
• Continuing to operate the Yaama Dhiyaan and Les Tobler vocational training centre
• Providing educational and work experience opportunities to local school students
• Expand the use of the RWA Aboriginal Employment Model to local, state and federal government and private sector construction companies
• Develop a cultural industries strategy in partnership with City of Sydney and the Arts NSW to maximise the local enterprise development opportunities in the arts
• Maintain community access for Aboriginal people and the local community to the RWA Business Advice Service
• Deliver Enterprise Workshops in Indigenous foods and other local enterprise opportunities
• Expand and update web links for information on Aboriginal businesses
• Maintain community access to Eveleigh Markets
• Develop and deliver Schools to Markets business development program
• Develop an economic growth strategy for the Redfern-Waterloo area in partnership with City of Sydney, Redfern Chamber of Commerce and local business

PHOTO: Locals at Redfern Park

Aboriginal Employment Model (IEM)

The RWA’s groundbreaking Aboriginal Employment Model (AEM) has brokered employment opportunities in the construction industry for more than 250 Aboriginal people across 25 trades – from electricians to bricklayers, office administrators and crane drivers.

On the Redfern Oval upgrade, the RWA brokered 10 jobs, seven on the redfern streetscape upgrade, and five for the Glebe Point Road project. Several private sector groups are also replicating the RWA’s model to manage Aboriginal employment on sites throughout Sydney.

Employment and Enterprise Ministerial Advisory Committee

Mr Robert Domm           Chairperson June 2008

Mr Petar Vladeta            Chairperson September 2008 & December 2008)

Dr Phil Lambert              Department of Education and Training

Mr Peter Roberts           TAFE NSW Sydney Institute

Ms Kristy Masella          Department of Aboriginal Affairs

Mr Mark Spinks             Centrelink

Mr Phil Raskal               City of Sydney

Ms Bernadette Selfe       Department of State and Regional Development

Ms Sharon Hawkins       Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Community Members

Anthony Larkings

Dixie Link-Gordon

Les Tobler

Michael Dalah

Siobhan Bryson

Karl King

Con Passas

Chapter 03: Community & Culture

PHOTO: CarriageWorks Art space and Café

The RWA has facilitated the investment of $300M+ towards infrastructure and improved human services since 2005.

$70M worth of local investment is expected to be generated through the new Community Health Centre development.

The RWA’s commitment to the urban renewal of Redfern-Waterloo, combined with major initiatives by the City of Sydney, is destined to create an exciting residential, commercial and cultural community over the next decade.

The beautification delivered a number of streetscape enhancements including wider footpaths with new paving and more trees, new lighting and street furniture, a new art installation and shared traffic/pedestrian/cycle zones, while the planned redevelopment at North Eveleigh is a major part of the RWA’s commitment to the urban renewal of Redfern-Waterloo and is destined to become an exciting residential, commercial and cultural community over the next 10 years.

Community Health Centre

As part of the RWA’s Human Services Plan, which aims to deliver improved health services to the local community, Redfern’s former Courthouse and Police Station is now the site of a planned $10 million Community Health Centre. The Courthouse & Police Station is one of several key “strategic sites” identified by the RWA which can contribute to providing land for business and residential purposes. These sites maximise the advantage of existing public transport; the Sydney CBD, Airport and Port; recreational and cultural facilities; and nearby significant health and educational facilities.

The project is being funded by the sale of the Rachel Forster Hospital site on the corner of Pitt and Albert Streets, Redfern, and was approved by the NSW Government in July 2008. The Centre will provide a comprehensive range of services, create up to 94 full-time jobs in the area, lead to the adaptive reuse of a significant building and deliver a range of important health benefits to local families.

Other aims and objectives of the development are to:

• Provide access to and between different health and community services
• Provide flexible building design to allow for future modification and anticipated growth in demand for services and changes in clinical practice
• Ensure development provides harmony and balance with the surrounding areas
• Provide a high quality urban environment through careful design of buildings and a well designed public domain Community Health Centre
• Provide a safe and secure environment for users and staff of the facility and the wider community

Through projects such as this, the community is starting to see the results of both phases of the Human Services Plan, which identify specific challenges faced by a broad section of the community particularly in the areas of population, drug and mental health. The Centre is scheduled to open in November 2009.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence

Following successful negotiations by the RWA for the sale of the former Redfern Public School from the Department of Education and Training to the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) in 2007, work commenced in December 2008 on the $24 million National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) on the site of the former school.

Designed by award winning architects, Tonkin Zulaika Greer, the NCIE will include new multi-use classrooms, accommodation, and dining facilities for up to 100 people. Four school buildings are to be refurbished as part of the development, while additional facilities will include a gymnasium, heated pool and a sports training field to be operated by the YMCA.

A number of organisations will be based at the centre, including the Exodus Foundation, which will set up a tutorial centre for young adolescents; the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia, which runs several sporting and life development programs for Indigenous people; and the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, an organisation providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to become involved in various team sports.

The project delivers at least 20 construction jobs for Aboriginal workers as part of the RWA’s Aboriginal Employment Model and is expected to be fully complete by the end of 2009.

The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) will provide sporting, educational and leadership development opportunities to thousands of young Indigenous people from across Australia.

NCIE Redevelopment Plan – Artists Impression

The project delivers at least 20 construction jobs for Aboriginal workers as part of the RWA’s Aboriginal Employment Model and is expected to be fully complete in 2010.

Yaama Dhiyaan offers a unique learning experience which teaches students the basics of hospitality, with an emphasis on Indigenous Australian cuisine.

Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College

The Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College in Darlington offers a unique learning experience which teaches students the basics of hospitality, with an emphasis on Indigenous Australian cuisine. An initiative of the RWA in partnership with Aboriginal elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, and Aboriginal chef, Mathew Crib, the centre offers an accredited hospitality training course. Almost

100 students have been trained in the Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations) since the Centre opened in October 2006 and provides graduates with the qualifications and experience necessary for employment in the restaurant and café sectors, tourism operations, clubs, hotels and catering enterprises.

In October 2008, Aunty Beryl and Mathew were invited by the Slow Food Movement to attend an international meeting – Terra Madre (Mother Earth) – in Turin, Italy. The Slow Food Movement is an international association that protects the traditional ways of farming and cooking, bringing together food communities, cooks, academics and youth delegates to work towards increasing small-scale, traditional, and sustainable food production. Aunty Beryl and Mathew met with other Australian farmers, chefs and product providers attending the event and have formed an Australian network to continue to share their culture and connection to the land. The RWA will support and promote Yaama Dhiyaan as an Australian leader in the Slow Food Movement.

Les Tobler Construction Training Centre

Les Tobler Centre offers a Koori Job Ready Construction Course specifically designed to train and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into paid employment, for which Les was recognised at the ACTU’s National Union Awards in March 2009.

Graduates of the course are provided with positions created by the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model, including the National Indigenous Centre for Excellence and the Channel 7 building at Australian Technology Park.

A second Koori Job Ready Course in Transport & Logistics (Certificate II Warehousing & Storage) was offered this year. The Centre was extensively refurbished in December 2008 so that the entire Job Ready Construction course can now be provided on site. The subjects studied include Construction OH&S (Induction Card), forklift training, plastering, painting, carpentry, concreting and First Aid.

More than 120 students have graduated from Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College courses since 2006.

Photos: Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College & Yaama Dhiyaan graduation

The RWA will support and promote Yaama Dhiyaan as an Australian leader in the Slow Food Movement.

The Eveleigh Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets

The heritage Blacksmiths’ Workshop underwent refurbishment by the RWA to house undercover stalls for the Eveleigh Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets.

As part of the adaptive reuse of the rail yards at North Eveleigh, the weekend Eveleigh Farmers’ Markets & Artisans’ Markets were launched in February 2009. This followed a highly successful Christmas Farmers’ Market in December 2008. Sydney’s only ‘rain, hail, shine’ market venue, the markets are housed in the custom-renovated Blacksmith’s Workshop adjacent to the CarriageWorks arts and cultural precinct, which creates a core community facility and is a major part of the RWA’s urban renewal project.

Since the first official market on February 28th, 2009, the Eveleigh Market has grown in popularity and is now a favourite place to shop for weekly groceries. The protection of an undercover market place and the provision of an area dedicated to tables and seating provides a relaxing environment to catch up with family and friends. Shoppers are coming from as far as the Central Coast, and the market is considered a must-do for overseas and interstate visitors wanting to sample local produce and meet with NSW growers and producers.

The market is home to over 60 regular stallholders featuring a vast array of seasonal fresh and value-added produce including organic, bio dynamic foods from farmers and artisan food producers across NSW. Farm fresh produce includes seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, organic pasta, free-range pork, artisan cheese, other dairy foods, and baked goods and local wine growers. Many people comment on the diversity, quality and affordability of produce specially the fruit and vegetables.

PHOTO: Eveleigh Artisans’ Markets

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Like almost any region in Australia, sport is one of Redfern-Waterloo’s most significant cultural pursuits and home to the South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League team.

Sport is one of Redfern-Waterloo’s most significant cultural pursuits and home to the South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League team.

Born in Redfern in 1908 and named as a result of the time when players caught and sold rabbits, calling out ‘Rabbitoh’ as they walked through the district, the team played at Redfern Oval between 1948 and 1987.

Souths are the most successful professional team in the history of the ARL in terms of total championships won, having claimed 20 first grade premierships, and returned to their home ground in February 2009 following the City of Sydney Council’s $19 million upgrade of Redfern Oval and the redevelopment of the South Sydney Leagues & Football Club. The Rabbitohs celebrated their centenary year in 2008, while the South Sydney Football Club was named the National Trust’s inaugural ‘Community Icon’ in recognition of the club’s significant longstanding contribution to sport and sporting culture at both state and national levels.

The RWA of course supports local sporting groups and associations at grass roots level, including the provision of uniforms for the Redfern All Blacks and Waterloo Storm in the Koori Knockout. The Redfern All Blacks were formed in the mid 1930s and played an important role as a community and political group in the area in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

This proud organisation is still going strong in 2009 and provides a platform for developing young Aboriginal players. The Redfern All Blacks have produced a number of NRL players both current and past including Gordon Tallis, Anthony Mundine and Nathan Merritt.

The RWA also provided assistance to members from the Redfern-Waterloo area of the Young Aboriginal Women’s Mentoring, Coaching & Leadership Sports Development Program to attend the Knockout.

This project used the event to look at ways for the participants to develop mentoring, coaching and leadership skills, particularly concerning violence and abuse, through sports and group projects in a socially healthy and safe environment.

PHOTO: The South Sydney Rabbitohs train at Redfern Oval

Chapter 04: Investing for the Future

PHOTO: Australian Technology Park

The RWA committed more than $54M to the new research facility roads & infrastructure at ATP.

Significant investment by the RWA in Redfern-Waterloo continues to stimulate economic and social outcomes for the local community.

Commercial, residential and infrastructure development, the provision of improved human services and job creation, including roles for Indigenous workers, along with a range of new facilities for the local community, have been directly facilitated as a result of significant investment in Redfern-Waterloo by the NSW Government.

• New businesses have moved to or are planning to relocate into the area to service an increasing number of residents
• The developing media complex at Australian Technology Park is the largest commercial investment in Redfern for at least a decade
• The newly established Farmers’ & Artisans’ Markets in North Eveleigh attract thousands of visitors to the area every weekend
• The proposed revitalisation of the North Eveleigh precinct to include new residential dwellings, the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and the creation of public open space including five new parks

Australian Technology Park (ATP)

Around 100 organisations employing up to 1800 people currently occupy leased space in this world class facility.

The Park is a major focus in the urban renewal of the Redfern Waterloo area, while the transformation of the site continues to stimulate economic and social outcomes for the local community. As home to one of Australia’s most dynamic exhibition and conferencing venues, it also plays a significant role in promoting the virtues of the local area as a major entertainment destination.

In late 2005, a multi-million dollar investment by the RWA resulted in construction of the 11,000sqm research facility for National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) and the Defence, Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO), which was completed in May 2008, along with new roads and infrastructure.

Also in 2008, construction began on the $123m television studio and media office complex to house Channel 7, its publishing group, Pacific Magazines, and the headquarters of Global Television. This represents the largest commercial development in Redfern for more than a decade and heralds the ATP’s evolution as one of Australia’s leading media centres.

Australian Technology Park will be one of the main drivers in Redfern’s economic growth over the next decade, with an ultimate workforce of more than 9000 permanent employees, representing a 20 percent increase in jobs for the area. The developing media environment at ATP will stimulate commercial interest and encourage associated industries wanting to seek synergies with such a large and dynamic industry presence to locate, if not exclusively within ATP, to the Redfern-Waterloo precinct.

PHOTO: Channel 7 Complex Development at ATP

North Eveleigh / Redfern Station

In a Concept plan lodged by the RWA and placed on public exhibition between 1 May and 12 June 2008, the Plan seeks approval for floor space in the North Eveligh area equivalent to more than 181,000sqm. A significant portion of the site will be retained in public ownership including the CarriageWorks, Eveleigh Markets and the former Scientific Services Building on Wilson Street.

North Eveleigh’s transformation will result in:

• Up to 9,300 people working permanently at ATP within 5 – 10 years as a result of land permitting the construction of 110,000sqm of commercial floor space to be progressively developed
• Up to 3,270 people working permanently at North Eveleigh within 5 – 7 years following the RWA’s concept planning and proposed sale of surplus land on the site
• 2,400 residents living in 1,260 new dwellings including affordable rental housing
• Environmental sustainability, new open space, community and cultural facilities and retention and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings

Meanwhile, the RWA continues to work with RailCorp in finalising a proposed upgrade of Redfern Railway Station. This will include a pedestrian / cycle bridge to improve access and enable vital connectivity between North Eveleigh and the ATP. The capital works will provide easy access, improve passenger and staff safety, achieve a capacity upgrade to meet future passenger demand and facilitate commercial and retail development surrounding the station. This will also enhance proposed development in the Eveleigh precinct and minimise traffic impacts by promoting public transport usage. The bridge will be known as the Eveleigh Heritage Walk and is partly funded by a $6m contribution from the RWA and ATP. Another aim of the bridge is to provide a magnificent perspective of the rail history of the area. Pedestrians will be able to cross between the northern and southern sides of the rail corridor with the bridge linking Wilson Street in Darlington with the ATP and suburbs beyond.

The redevelopment is expected to generate 3,300 construction jobs – more than 300 of which will be allocated for Indigenous workers under the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model.

PHOTO: Artist Impression of the North Eveleigh Concept Plan

Sponsorships/Grants provided by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority

2008/2009 Financial Year commencing 1st July 2008

The RWA’s local investment also includes sponsorship and the provision of funding throughout the year to community projects, local sporting organisations and Indigenous enterprises.

Organisation                              Purpose                                                            Amount

SDN Children’s Service               Easy Cooking on A Budget                                 $2000

Redfern All Blacks                     Sponsorship Koori Knockout                               $5362

Connect Redfern                        School Holiday Camp                                         $3000

Redfern All Blacks                     Sponsorship of Basketball team                           $939

Waterloo Storm                         Sponsorship Koori Knockout                               $3125

Wyanga                                    Christmas Party                                                  $2000

Connect Redfern                        Playgroups in the Park                                      $5000

Babana Aboriginal Mens Group   Coloured Digger Project                                   $2000

Indigenous Sporting Academy Inc Night of the Black Stars Boxing Event            $2000

The Factory Community Centre   Thingyan Festival                                               $300

Solander Landscaping Project     Purchase of protective equipment for students  $1070

Redfern Community Centre         Children’s Christmas Party on the Block             $2000

Link Worker Project                   Payment of application fee to obtain birth certificates $340

Alexandria Park Community School         NAI DOC Week Events                           $1500

The Factory Community Centre   Cook Gardens 12th Anniversary Celebrations     $300

Assistance to Aboriginal community Member to obtain Light Rigid Drivers Licence required to gain employment as a Trainee Paramedic $400

Tribal Warrior                 Assistance to attend Australian Tourism Exchange           $1000

Tribal Warrior                             Assistance for Family and Culture Days               $1000

Free Eye Screening Day             Sponsorship of catering and entertainment           $592

Total                                                                                                                   $34,928

Financials

Due to the difficulty of dealing with tabulated data we have not included the Financials and the Notes to the Accounts in this text version. Those interested in the information contained in the accounts should consult the electronic version of the RWA Annual Report for 2009-10 - 08-09 Annual Report - Full Version (pdf ~3mb)

Appendices

Executive Positions

                                                                                                     07/08    08/09

No of executive positions equivalent to SES 1 or higher(male)        1          2

No of executive positions equivalent to SES 1 or higher(female)      1          1

Chief Executive Officer – SES Level 7 (period 1 July 2008 – 28 November 2008) Robert Domm $291,444.29

Chief Executive Officer – SES Level 7 (period 16 February 2009) Roy Wakelin-King $291,444.29

Staff Numbers by Level (2008/09)

                                               Men      Women Total

$46,320 - $51,783                      -           1          1

$51,784 - $65,526                      -           1          1

$65,527-$84,737                        2          3          5

$84,738 - $105,923                    1          2          3

$> $105,923 (non SES)              1          2          3

$> $105,923 (SES)                     1          -           1

Ms Mohini Nair was Acting CEO with the RWA from 29 November to 13 February 2009

“ Since taking up his appointment Roy Wakelin-King has actively worked to consolidate the achievements of the RWA and to lead the engagement of the community in the realisation of the future opportunities for the Redfern Waterloo area. Roy Wakelin-King has also focused the organisations efforts on the delivery of its ongoing obligations under the Redfern Waterloo Plan including the establishment of BEP2, the development of designs for Redfern Station and preparation for the divestment of North Eveleigh and the Australian Technology Park. Roy Wakelin-King has also led the Australian Technology Park through the challenging period of the Global financial Crisis which has resulted in a good overall performance of the company in these challenging circumstances.” Col Gellatly

Staff Numbers by Employment Basis – 3-Year Comparitive Data

EMPLOYMENT BASIS   2006/07             2007/08             2008/09

Permanent                    14                     13                     9

Temporary                     4                      3                      3

Full-Time                       18                     16                     10

Part-Time                      -                       -                       2

Casual                          -                       -                       -

STAFF NUMBERS                                             2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

Men                                                                  12         12         8

Women                                                             24         13         16

Aboriginal Person or Torres Strait Islander        6          6          2

Person with a Disability                                      -           -           -

Person from a Racial, Ethnic or

Ethno-Religious Minority Group                         4          2          2

People whose first language is not English     6          10         4

Legislative Changes

Nil to report.

Overseas Travel & Corporate Credit Cards

Two Yaama Dhiyaan Aboriginal contract staff undertook a study tour of Turin to gain an understanding of global food markets, product mix and displays and to promote Australian Indigenous cuisine. They were sponsored by the Slow Food Movement, Department of State and Regional Development, private sector donations and the ATP. They also visited Food markets in Paris, Florence and Rome as part of the tour.

Payment of Accounts

All agreed accounts were settled in a timely manner.

Corporate Services

Finance, accounting services were provided to RWA by the finance division of the Australian Technology Park. The Australian Technology Park also provide payroll services from 1 July 2009 until 6 March 2009 when this was transferred to Service First the NSW corporate services provider. Information and technology services were also provided by Service First for the entire financial year 2008/09.

Risk Management

The RWA has a Business Risk Map of its operations. The primary objective of the Business Risk Map is to coordinate risk management activities within the RWA to ensure the activity is focused on areas of greatest risk and is also used by Business Audit to derive its strategic audit plan.

Contributions are made by the RWA to the Treasury Managed Fund for workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents, property loss, public liability and various other insurable risks. RWA staff have assigned wardens and participated in emergency evacuation drills. No OH&S incidents have arisen.

Freedom of Information Procedure

During the reporting period, no requests were made to the RWA under the Freedom of Information Act. In the previous financial year 1 request was received under the Freedom of Information Act. In the same period, no major issues arose, and there were no investigations or applications for review submitted.

Formal requests made under the Freedom of Information Act for access to documents held by the RWA should be accompanied by a $30 application fee and directed to:

The FOI Coordinator

Redfern-Waterloo Authority

PO Box 3332

Redfern NSW 2016

The contact number for all FOI inquiries is (02) 9202 9100

Land Disposal

There were no land disposals for the year ended 30 June 2008.

Plans, Policies and Procedures

Code of Conduct

The RWA has its own Code of Conduct which was developed in accordance with the principles of ethical and responsible decision-making and embodies the public sector values of respect for the law, the system of Government, the community and its persons, integrity, diligence, economy and efficiency, and accountability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (EEO)

Through its policy, the RWA implements the following principles of the EEO:

• Fair practices in the workplace
• Management decisions made without bias
• Recognition of and respect for the social and cultural backgrounds of all staff and clients
• Employment practices which produce staff satisfaction, job commitment and quality client service
• Improved productivity

The RWA also has a policy for the Action Plan for Women along with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.

Disability Access Policy

The RWA complies with the NSW Government Disability framework through its Disability Access Policy. This provides a process for the RWA to better meet the needs of staff and the community in relation to persons with a disability. The RWA is committed to ensuring all people have reasonable access to the resources and spaces governed by the Authority.

Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement

The RWA recognises and values the different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds of all the people of NSW and endorses the four principles of multiculturalism as set out in the Community Relations Commission and principles of the Multicultural Act 2000.

Towards this objective, the RWA will develop and implement policies sensitive to the needs of all staff and clients and ensure that its Boards and Committees reflect the multiculturalism of the community.

NSW Government Action Plan for Women

The RWA supports the NSW Government Action Plan for Women and promotes workplaces that are equitable, safe and responsive to all aspects of women’s lives. It will also promote the position of women in all areas of society as well as access to and successful outcomes for women in all parts of the education and training system.

Occupational Health & Safety Management Plan

The RWA is committed to the occupational health, safety and welfare of its employees, those contracted to perform work on its behalf and visitors to the premises. It is committed to regular consultation with staff and their representatives, and where necessary, with contractors and suppliers of equipment and services to ensure OH&S management is of the highest standard.

RWA had 0 (zero) injuries or claims under the OH&S Act 2000.

Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy

The RWA is committed to the implementation of the Government’s Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP).

RWA engages the services of an environmental management company through the NSW Government Contract to manage the recycling of paper and cardboard. RWA also recycles toner and ink cartridges. RWA purchases recycled paper for printing purposes.

Following is a full list of RWA Plans and Policies:

Risk Management Policy

Risk Management Plan

Risk Management Framework

Information Management & Technology Disaster Recovery Strategy

Internal Audit Plan

External Audit Plan

Staff Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Board Members

Protected Disclosure Act Policy Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

OH&S Management Plan

Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement

Disability Access Policy

Action Plan for Women

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy

Procurement Policy

Complaints Handling Policy

Business Ethics Statement

Privacy Management Plan

Corporate Credit Card Policy

Energy Management Policy

Fraud Corruption Control Strategy

Environmental Management Policy

New Starter Induction Program

Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy

Publications

Newsletters (16,000 copies per issue):

July 2008

December 2008

April 2009

Annual Report

October 2009

Annual Report

The RWA 2008-2009 Annual Report is made available electronically at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au

The total cost of external production and printing was $44,575 (inc GST).

Contact Details

Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Level 11, Tower 2

1 Lawson Square

Redfern NSW 2016

Telephone: +61 2 9202 9100

Reception 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday

Website: www.redfernwaterloo.com.au  

Designed and Produced by:

TONICCONNECTIVE TM

Art Director:

Imelda Dickinson

Designer:

John Liang

Photography:

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Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Level 11, Tower 2

1 Lawson Square Redfern NSW 2016

PO Box 3332 Redfern 2016

T: 02 9202 9100 F: 02 9292 9111

redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au 

www.redfernwaterloo.com.au

Reception Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

T: 02 9202 9100 F: 02 9292 9111

www.redfernwaterloo.com.au

Source: This text document has been based on text electronically extracted from the 08-09 Annual Report - Full Version (pdf ~3mb). The Financials and Notes to the Accounts have been excluded from this text version.