Mick Mundine celebrates – more to come

The development company is on track to have their Pemulwuy Project approved by the Department of Planning later in the year after spending the bulk of 2006 jockeying around planning requirements.

The Pemulwuy Project is a mixed-use development plan for an area that includes the area known as the Block. The plan will provide residential units for home ownership by Indigenous people, an Elder’s centre, respite and health care facilities and an art gallery, in addition to commercial facilities. The AHC’s intention is to “restore a strong and healthy Indigenous community to Redfern” correcting for its media-savaged reputation.

Since lodging a proposal with the Department of Planning last April, the AHC has made three amendments to conform with changes to local planning requirements and enhance their prospect for approval success. The AHC was to submit its final Concept Plan by the end of April, which if approved by the Department, will make way for the submission of the Project Application. 

While not wanting to speculate on Sartor’s likely sway, the man they call “Uncle Mick,” and the eldest of six Mundine brothers, is adamant the project will be approved – whether by the NSW Government within the legislated 42 days of receipt of the Project Application, or sometime later in the courts if the AHC is forced to take action.

“Redfern is like the Opera House or Harbour Bridge for our people,” said Mundine. “It’s our God-given right to be a part of the (State Government’s) vision for the area.”

His fervent conviction is further grounded in the AHC’s compliance within the letter of Sartor’s planning laws. The AHC has since consulted with the community as demanded by the Department, and enlisted the advice of some pre-eminent thinkers on planning related matters such as internationally acclaimed architects Cracknell and Lonergan, Smyth Planning and planning lawyer John Mant.

The City of Sydney Council provided consent for the project last month, subject to some ownership provisions, while the Office of Community Housing, private landowners in Lawson Street, Redfern Police and community group REDWatch have all indicated their support. The support of two Aboriginal companies and a school are outstanding before the Department of Planning will consider the Project Application.

The Department of Planning did not care to comment on the progress of the plan, but did say that all information relating to the Pemulwuy Project is available on their website.

Mick Mundine, who has been with the AHC for 32 of its 34 years, said the implementation of the Pemulwuy Project would be his career highlight, after celebrating his 60th birthday and his brother Beau’s 50th in March with a party that still fondly reverberates around AHC’s corridors.

“Everyone wants to reach the top of a mountain in their lives, and my mountain is right here in Redfern with the Pemulwuy Project,” said Mundine.

Source: South Sydney Herald May 2007 http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/