1. Introduction

1.1 The Redfern-Waterloo Plan

The Redfern Waterloo Authority’s (RWA) operational area includes the suburbs of Darlington, Redfern, Waterloo and Eveleigh (Diagram 1.1 RWA Operational Area and RWA Strategic Sites) [2.4MB]. Under the Redfern Waterloo Act 2004, the Minister for Redfern-Waterloo is required to prepare a Redfern-Waterloo Plan to provide the overall framework for the revitalisation of the operational area through urban renewal, job creation, improvements to the physical environment and improvements to the provision of human services.

The Redfern-Waterloo Plan is an evolving document which will be embellished over time and in stages. The Redfern-Waterloo Plan will comprise three major components [14 KB] - the Built Environment Plan, Human Services Plan and the Employment and Enterprise Plan.

This Stage One draft Built Environment Plan relates to the planning and design aspects of certain strategic Redfern-Waterloo strategic sites (Diagram 1.1 RWA Operational Area and RWA Strategic Sites) [2.4MB].

Under the Redfern-Waterloo Act the Minister for Planning may prepare an environmental planning instrument to give effect to the planning aspects contained within the Redfern-Waterloo Plan. Over the next decade it is likely that the Built Environment Plan will be extended to incorporate other sites in the Redfern-Waterloo operational area.

The Human Services Plan establishes a framework for improving access to health, education, employment and other essential services in Redfern-Waterloo. It identifies actions to improve the delivery of services to ensure positive results for individuals and the community as a whole.

The Employment and Enterprise Plan aims to address the area’s social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, business and educational opportunities. Strategies have been developed to support the development of employment and enterprise opportunities for local residents, as well as the broader Sydney metropolitan community.

1.2 Purpose of the Stage One draft Built Environment Plan

This Stage One draft Built Environment Plan (referred to as draft Plan) has been prepared to provide a planning framework for the redevelopment of the Redfern-Waterloo strategic sites based on urban revitalisation and renewal.

It provides the basis for community consultation and has informed the preparation of a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) which will provide the statutory basis to guide future development on these strategic sites.

The draft Plan has been prepared taking into consideration the area’s regional, metropolitan and local context and issues. It also draws on earlier work and community consultation undertaken by the former Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Project and the former Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, as part of the Redfern, Eveleigh, Darlington and Waterloo (RED) Strategy in 2003.

The land use and design strategies in the draft Plan have been developed through an urban design analysis of the existing context and site specific conditions of each strategic site. This process has generated potential development yields, and indicative employment and residential projections.

1.3 Area Covered by the draft Plan

The draft Plan applies to the eight RWA strategic sites within the RWA’s operational area as shown in Diagram 1.1.[2.4MB] The RWA strategic sites are identified in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005. They are mostly State Government owned and are strategically located near Redfern Railway Station and the Redfern town centre. They have a total area of around 35 hectares.

The eight RWA strategic sites covered in this draft Plan are:

• Australian Technology Park (ATP)

• North Eveleigh

• South Eveleigh

• Eveleigh Street

• Redfern Railway Station, Gibbons and Regent Streets

• Former Rachel Forster Hospital

• Former Local Court House and Redfern Police Station

• Former Redfern Public School

1.4 Implementation of draft Plan

The intent and direction of this draft Plan is reflected in a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) for RWA strategic sites. The SEPP will replace any existing statutory plans and policies which currently apply to the RWA strategic sites.

A Development Control Plan (DCP) for the RWA strategic sites will be prepared to complement the SEPP and provide more detailed site specific guidelines for future development. The DCP will include general guidelines which will apply to all sites, as well, as more site specific design and planning requirements.

Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act the Minister for Planning is the consent authority for the carrying out of development on RWA strategic sites. A proposal for the carrying out of development will be assessed under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act if it has a capital investment value of more than $5 million. A proposal for the carrying out of development which is under $5 million may be assessed under Part 4 of the Act. The Minister for Planning has the discretion to decide whether a development should be determined under Part 4.

The Minister for Planning may require concept plans to be prepared for development sites in accordance with Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

The existing Master Plan for the Australian Technology Park will be amended to accord with the draft Plan.

1.5 Structure of draft Plan

The draft Plan is divided into the following sections.

Section 2    The Redfern-Waterloo Area

This section provides a snapshot of the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the Redfern-Waterloo area and issues facing the area now and in coming years.

Section 3    Strategies for Revitalising Redfern-Waterloo

This section outlines the key strategies needed to achieve the vision for Redfern-Waterloo including land use, urban design, infrastructure, transport, heritage and utility services.

Section 4    Land Use and Design Concepts for RWA Strategic Sites

This section details the land use and design intent for each RWA strategic site. It details the proposed land uses and design concepts for each strategic site.

Section 5    Future Key Tasks

This section summarises the key tasks to be undertaken to progress the planning for the RWA strategic sites.

Section 6    Proposed Stage Two of Built Environment Plan

The section gives an outline of the major issues currently anticipated to form the basis of the future Stage Two of the Built Environment Plan.

1.6 How You Can Comment on the draft Plan and SEPP

The draft Plan and draft SEPP will be on public exhibition for a period of two months. Details of the exhibition period will be communicated to all households in the area and will be advertised in local media and on the RWA’s website (www.redfernwaterloo.com.au ).

During the exhibition period the RWA is seeking community and stakeholder feedback on the draft Plan and SEPP.

To provide your comments you can:

• send a letter to CEO, Redfern-Waterloo Authority, PO Box 3332, Redfern NSW 2016

• send an email to redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au

• complete the feedback form on the RWA website (www.redfernwaterloo.com.au )

• attend a community forum at a date and time to be advertised

• attend any community information/feedback sessions at dates and times to be advertised

Your comments will help us to finalise the Stage One Built Environment Plan and SEPP