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Final Recomendations - December 2004

For easy reference we have reproduced below the Summary of recommendations from the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into issues relating to Redfern and Waterloo Final Report December 2004 Pages xvi-xx.

Recommendation 1                 Page 26

That the Minister for Police extend the level of training received by new recruits in Aboriginal cultural awareness issues as part of their Diploma of Policing Practice.

 

Recommendation 2                 Page 26

That the Minister of Police ensure that the Aboriginal cultural awareness training provided to officers at the Redfern Local Area Command is reviewed in 2005 in order to develop the most appropriate training program for the Local Area Command.

 

Recommendation 3                 Page 33

That the Minister for Police ensure that the Redfern Local Area Command review its Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer program within six months to determine whether the new strategies that have been recently implemented have improved the program and whether any additional changes to the program need to be made. In addition, the results of that review should be included in the Government's response to this Report.

 

Recommendation 4                 Page 34

That the Minister for Police expedite the promised examination of the support and training structures available to Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers, as contained in the Government's response to the NSW Alcohol Summit 2003, to determine whether additional support structures and training are required.

 

Recommendation 5                 Page 51

That the Minister for Police undertake his six month review of the package of initiatives aimed at addressing policing issues in the Redfern LAC announced on 16 July 2004 as soon as possible after 16 January 2005. In addition, the findings of that review should be made public as soon as they are finalised.

 

Recommendation 6                 Page 62

That the Government ensure that the Human Services Plan arising from the Human Services Review is approved and publicly released on time, that is, by May 2005.

 

Recommendation 7                 Page 69

That the core activities of government agencies not included in the Human Services Review be formally reviewed in conjunction with the development of the Human Services Plan, in order to determine how those agencies need to change to improve the human services system of Redfern and Waterloo.

 

Recommendation 8                 Page 71

That as part of the Human Services Plan, the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project:

·         develop and use specific procedures for dealing with funded agencies in relation to reallocation of resources between agencies and the amalgamation of services

·         approve and expedite a process for renovating or improving the facilities of services.

 

Recommendation 9                 Page 72

That where, during the implementation of the Human Services Plan, the need for additional resources is substantiated, funding be sought from the Federal, State and/or Local Governments.

 

Recommendation 30                Page 79

That the Premier's Department act on the findings of the recent Grant Administration Review, to reduce the burden of funding and accountability requirements on non government agencies.

 

Recommendation 11                Page 84

That the NSW Government, in liaison with the non government agencies in Redfern and Waterloo, recognise and resource a local body to represent the non government sector and act as a negotiation point with government in developing and implementing the Human Services Plan.

 

Recommendation 12                Page 93

That the Department of Community Services' Eastern Sydney Community Service Centre take the following actions, as a matter of priority:

·         establish a process for allocating and responding to level two and level three cases

·         ensure adequate training and support for caseworkers, to optimise professional practice

·         build its relationships with other agencies through better case coordination and interagency participation, including with non government agencies and at the caseworker level

·         build its relationship with the Aboriginal community of Redfern and Waterloo through a more collaborative approach with Aboriginal families and service providers, and interagency participation.

 

Recommendation 13                Page 98

That the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project immediately reinstate the Youth Taskforce and ensure that its membership includes representation of government and non government providers, as well as young people themselves.

 

Recommendation 14                Page 98

That, in keeping with Recommendation 8 of this Report concerning the approval and expedition of a process for renovating or improving the facilities of services, the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project immediately consider the adequacy of accommodation for youth services in the area. In particular, the Partnership Project should ensure a speedy resolution of the issue of relocating the Fact Tree Youth Service to more appropriate facilities.

 

Recommendation 15                Page 98

That in developing a Youth Services Plan, the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project and other members of the Youth Taskforce ensure that there is adequate provision for weekend and after hours youth services, including recreational activities.

 

Recommendation 16                Page 102

That the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, as a matter of priority, make a formal commitment to actively supporting a `community healing strategy' in the Redfern and Waterloo Aboriginal community, as proposed in the Human Services Review Report, and that it provide appropriate resources to support this. In addition, the Partnership Project should approach community leaders as soon as possible to ask the community to undertake the strategy.

 

Recommendation 17                Page 109

That in establishing the community health facility in Lawson Street, the Central Sydney Area Health Service, ensure:

·         the provision of a broad range of services at the facility

·         the establishment of strong, ongoing links with existing services in the area

·         full consultation with relevant stakeholders and that consideration be given to the establishment of a formal consultation and governance mechanism such as a community board, and to the opportunity for research partnerships.

 

Recommendation 18                Page 109

That in implementing the recommendations of the Human Services Review, the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project ensure the immediate development of a drug and alcohol services plan and a mental health services plan. Both must provide for adequate local services and culturally appropriate services.

 

Recommendation 19                Page 114

That the Department of Education ensure, as a priority, that there are:

·         comprehensive strategies in place in Redfern and Waterloo to address truancy, suspensions and exclusions

·         adequate transport services to enable children from Redfern and Waterloo to attend Alexandria Park Community School.

 

Recommendation 20                Page 119

That the Department of Housing continue to seek ways to address tenant concerns in relation to maintenance, the physical environment of the estate, estate and tenant management, and security and safety.

 

Recommendation 21                Page 119

That the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Department of Housing ensure that the process of redevelopment o£ public housing proceeds with extreme care in order to protect the rights of tenants and the Government's duty of care towards them. In particular, consultation, information sharing and maximum tenant choice must all be ensured.

 

Recommendation 22                Page 125

That the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project and the City of Sydney Council, in consultation with the Redfern and Waterloo community, develop a community development strategy for the area, the primary focus of which is on community members and groups. The strategy should include provision for a small grants scheme to fund local community development activities.

 

Recommendation 23                Page 126

That when implementing Recommendation 7 to formally review the activities of government agencies not included in the Human Services Review, the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project ensure that the following core government responsibilities are comprehensively considered:

·         child protection services

·         mental health services

·         alcohol and other drug services • education

·         housing

·         ageing and disability services.

In addition, the review should consider the cultural sensitivity of the full range of services, with regard to both the Aboriginal community and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

 

Recommendation 24                Page 137

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority, produce the draft Redfern Waterloo Plan as soon as possible and ensure that appropriate community consultation occurs in the development of the Plan. In addition, the Redfern Waterloo Authority should ensure that the consultation that has already occurred on the RED Strategy is considered in the development of the Plan.

 

Recommendation 25                Page 137

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority, as a matter of urgency, conduct an audit of the Government assets in the Redfern and Waterloo area, and publish this audit including an itemised list identifying and describing the assets. The Redfern Waterloo Authority should ensure that any development of these assets is done in consultation with the Redfern and Waterloo communities, and that monies raised in the development of these assets go directly to addressing the needs of the area.

 

Recommendation 26                Page 140

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority, consult with current public housing tenants on any future plans to redevelop public housing stock.

 

Recommendation 27                Page 140

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority, consider measures to ensure the provision of affordable housing and allow for affordable housing targets.

 

Recommendation 28                Page 141

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority, ensure that all future commercial or residential development applications of scale are subject to a comprehensive social impact assessment process.

 

Recommendation 29                Page 144

That the NSW Government remain committed to its guarantee not to compulsorily acquire the Block at Redfern. In addition, the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, should work with the Aboriginal Housing Company, and the broader Aboriginal community, to enable the redevelopment of the Block.

 

Recommendation 30                Page 150

That the NSW Government ensure that the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, or a similar coordinating body, is extended beyond 2008, is adequately resourced, with appropriate performance measurement, so that the long term social disadvantage in Redfern and Waterloo can be addressed.

 

Recommendation 31                Page 155

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, ensure that the Redfern Waterloo Plan and the Human Services Plan contain an appropriate set of indicators and performance measurements by which the objectives of the Plans can be assessed. In addition, the Plans should be made publicly available; and regular evaluation and review should be undertaken and made public.

 

Recommendation 32                Page 159

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, establish short, medium and long term strategic objectives for the area and key outcomes associated with those objectives. In addition, the Government's performance against these objectives should be regularly reviewed and reported to the public.

 

Recommendation 33                Page 159

That the NSW Government ensure that the Redfern Waterloo Plan 2004-2014 is integrated into the broader Metropolitan Strategy.

 

Recommendation 34                Page 159

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, ensure that the strategic plans for the Redfern and Waterloo area identify and allow for the active involvement of local, State and Commonwealth Governments.

 

Recommendation 35                Page 161

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, make a commitment to the Redfern and Waterloo community to make all plans, strategies, reports and accountability measures publicly available in a timely manner. In particular the NSW Government should release the following plans, strategies and documents as soon as they are completed:

·         the Redfern Waterloo Plan 2004-2014

·         the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project Business Plan

·         the jobs Plan

·         the Human Services Plan

·         strategic objectives and outcomes for the area as a whole.

 

Recommendation 36                Page 163

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project and the Redfern Waterloo Authority, take all possible steps to achieve genuine partnership between State and Commonwealth agencies, the City of Sydney Council, the non government sector and the local community in order to address the issues facing Redfern and Waterloo.

 

Recommendation 37                Page 164

That a further parliamentary inquiry into issues in Redfern and Waterloo and measures taken to address them be conducted in 2006.

 

Recommendation 38                Page 165

That the NSW Government take the lead in encouraging all political parties and independents to adopt an ongoing commitment to Indigenous issues and work cooperatively with the Aboriginal community to address the serious social disadvantage affecting Aboriginal people.