Interim Recomendations - August 2004

Recommendation 1                 33

That the NSW Government continue the place-based approach represented by the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project, despite the criticisms made of the Project, and make along-term financial commitment to the Project beyond the funding already committed up to 2006.

Recommendation 2                 33

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project, 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 3                 33

That the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project develops and implements a comprehensive strategy to ensure there is effective consultation and communication with the Redfern and Waterloo communities. In addition, to improve its relationship with the local community, particularly the Aboriginal community, the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project should establish mechanisms to facilitate capacity building within the Aboriginal community.

Recommendation 4                 33

That the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project expedites the completion of the Human Services Review, and that the NSW Government provide a copy of the Human Services Review report to the Committee as soon as it is completed. Further, that the plans for reform of government and non government services and their coordination which arise from the Human Services Review be communicated to all the partners in Redfern and Waterloo and to the Committee as soon as possible.

Recommendation 5                 65

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project, continue its constructive working relationship with the Aboriginal Housing Company and the provision of in kind assistance to the Company, with the aim of ensuring that the Company is able to redevelop and manage the Block.

Recommendation 6                 65

That the NSW Government expedite the completion of the audit of the financial affairs of the Aboriginal Housing Company and the valuation of its properties.

Recommendation 7                 65

That the three tiers of government make a firm commitment to the redevelopment of the Block by the Aboriginal Housing Company, subject to the requirements set out in Recommendation 8, and in particular that:

·         the NSW Government make a substantial funding contribution to enable the completion of the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project, and that it facilitate access by the Aboriginal Housing Company to other funding sources

·         the Federal Government be approached by the NSW Government to make a substantial funding contribution to the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project

·         the City of Sydney Council make a substantial contribution to the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project, which might take the form of in-kind assistance, such as handing over freehold title to laneways or waiving rates for a period of time.

Recommendation 8                 66

That the commitment of funds to the Aboriginal Housing Company for the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project identified in Recommendation 7 should be made dependent upon strict requirements relating to:

·         creation of a representative development control structure to manage and oversee the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project

·         continued involvement by the NSW Government in improving the governance structure and management practices of the Aboriginal Housing Company and ensuring its sustainability

·         the incorporation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles in the design of the redevelopment

·         extensive consultation with the local community

·         the transparent and equitable allocation of housing to tenants

·         establishment of an ongoing program for maintenance of the new housing stock

·         the employment, where possible, of Aboriginal people in the Pemulwuy Redevelopment Project

Recommendation 9                 66

That the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project provide assistance to the Aboriginal Housing Company to keep the local Aboriginal community, as well as the wider community in Redfern and Waterloo, regularly and comprehensively informed as to the progress of the redevelopment of the Block.

Recommendation 10                75

That the Minister for Police establish a specific system of recording incidents of violence against police sustained in the course of duty. The system should enable the type and location of each incident to be recorded, as well as the details of the officer(s) concerned (and any other relevant details). The system should enable statistics to be collated and monitored in relation to each Local Area Command and State-wide and comparisons between Local Area Commands to be made.

Recommendation 11                78

That the Minister for Police initiate a review of the level and type of violent incidents against police officers in the Redfern Local Area Command over the past 10 years, in order to ascertain the precise extent and nature of problem and to identify measures to minimise the number of violent acts against police officers. The review should compare Redfern with other Local Area Commands where violence against police is similarly a problem.

Recommendation 12                98

That NSW Police take into account the level of violence against police when considering the allocation of resources to the Redfern Local Area Command in the future.

Recommendation 13                84

That the Minister for Police, as part of the six month review of the initiatives announced on 16 July 2004, carefully examine the impact of the increase in officers on the ability of the Redfern Local Area Command to investigate crime and on the local community. The review should also identify the actual and authorised strength of the Redfern Local Area Command, the number of officers on leave and whether the new positions and secondments and the existing vacancies have been filled.

Recommendation 14                93

That the Minister for Police, as part of the six month review of the initiatives announced on 16 July 2004, carefully re-examine the level of experience among officers stationed at the Redfern Local Area Command, including:

·         whether it is in the interest of the Redfern Local Area Command and the local community to extend the suspension of the placement of probationary constables beyond the initial 12 month period

·         whether any `directed transfers' have been made

·         whether any other measures or incentives to encourage officers to go to the Redfern Local Area Command and/or to remain there for a constructive length of time are necessary.

Recommendation 15                95

That the Minister for Police undertake an audit of the implementation of the initiatives contained in the NSW Police Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2003-2006 in the Redfern Local Area Command and that where relevant initiatives have not been implemented the Minister make their implementation a matter of priority.

Recommendation 16                95

That the Minister for Police, as part of the six month review of the initiatives announced on 16 July 2004, consider the impact of the initiatives on the local Aboriginal community with reference to the NSW Police Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2003-2006.

Recommendation 17                105

That the Minister for Police, as part of the six month review of the initiatives announced on 16 July 2004, should incorporate an assessment as to whether sufficient resources at the Redfern Local Area Command are dedicated to robberies, with regard to crime statistics and the views of the officers working to target robberies.

Recommendation 18                106

That the Minister for Police, in addition to the six month review of the initiatives announced on 16 July 2004, undertake an 18 month review of the initiatives. As part of the 18 month review the matters addressed in Recommendations 13, 14, 16 and 17 should be examined.

Recommendation 19                106

That the Minister for Police release the final report of Strike Force Coburn as soon as possible with, if necessary, parts relating to the Coroner's Inquiry into the death of TJ Hickey or to sensitive operational matters, kept confidential.

Recommendation 20                136

That the Redfem/Waterloo Partnership Project, NSW Health and the City of Sydney Council work together to ensure that the Redfern/Waterloo Anti-Drug Strategy is fully implemented including:

·         the relocation, within the next three months, of the mobile needle and syringe service away from the residential areas to a nearby industrial area on Hudson Street, Redfern, with comprehensive information to users of the needle and syringe service about the relocation

·         a comprehensive review process and evaluation of the impact of the relocation of the mobile needle and syringe service, including the changes in demand patterns for Redfern and Waterloo

·         as a matter of urgency, a Memorandum of Understanding between NSW Health and NSW Police on the mobile needle and syringe service with appropriate guidelines and operating procedures for front line police and health workers

·         adherence to the limit set on the number of needles distributed to users per contact

·         continuation of the needle and syringe clean-up program and review of services provided in other jurisdictions including the installation of disposal units in all public toilets and `sharps sweeps'

·         appropriate maintenance of the syringe bins currently in place in two locations in Redfern and Waterloo

·         ensuring there is access to the overdose management response team.

Recommendation 21                136

That the NSW Government, through the Redfern/Waterloo Partnership Project, liaise with the Central Sydney Area Health Service, relevant Aboriginal organisations and representatives from the Aboriginal community, to ensure there are adequate referral services for Aboriginal people with drug and alcohol problems in Redfern and Waterloo. In particular, consideration should be given to the feasibility of establishing detoxication and other drug and alcohol related services, particularly for Aboriginal people, at the Rachel Foster Hospital site or another appropriate site.

Recommendation 22                136

That the NSW Government, together with the City of Sydney Council, undertake a community education campaign in the Redfern and Waterloo area providing information on the rationale for harm minimisation, the Redfern Anti-Drug Strategy and the needle and syringe service with a view to improving community understanding of the benefits to the health of illicit drug users as well to the wellbeing of the broader community.