Supporting Redfern/Waterloo Communities

According to community organisations, RWA officers informed them at a Community Centre Roundtable meeting that the Authority wanted a "One Stop Shop" community service agency in Waterloo, to be provided from a purpose-built community centre.

Some local community organisations have been providing comprehensive services within funding constraints for more than 30 years, with strong local support and accountability to the community. I believe that the Government should support and build on this significant investment in community infrastructure, rather than setting up new organisations that duplicate management, administration, and services.

This is especially important for the Redfern, Darlington and Waterloo communities, where there are high levels of disadvantage and a history of limited resources available to help. The community has contributed significant time, skills and money to building up these organisations, and Government should continue to support these efforts.