Crunch time for The Block

The project has a number of special features which are designed to meet the needs of the Aboriginal community and that highlight the significance of The Block. The Block is made up of terrace houses, owned or rented by Aboriginals. It was bought by the AHC after receiving a grant of $530,000 in 1973 under the Whitlam government.

The project aims to provide more affordable housing for Aboriginal low to middle income earners and to provide "a clean, healthy and safe environment" for Aboriginal children, as stated in the Pemulwuy project profile.

"We want to pave the way for the next generation. We don't want this generation now to be caught in this vicious cycle.

We want them to grow up in a good environment," said Mick Mundine, chief executive officer of the AHC.

With only 20 dwellings currently on The Block, five of which are unoccupied, the AHC 's project includes 62 dwellings. "The reason we picked 62 was because there were 62 Gadigal families in Redfern who got wiped out by smallpox when the British arrived. It's sort of like a commemoration to them," said Mr Mundine.

The Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA), a statutory body which was set up in 2004 with powers to override local councils, has a different vision for The Block. In response to the AHC's Pemulwuy project, the RWA incorporated its vision to commercialise the Block in their 2006 Built Environment Plan.

In August last year the RWA changed the zoning status of the Block from a 'Residential 2b' zone to a 'Business-Mixed Use 10' zone. It also reduced the residential floor space ratio from 1:1, which is still enjoyed in other areas of Redfern, to 0.75:1, forcing the AHC to redesign parts of its project and slow down its progress. Mick Mundine is outraged by such requirements. He pointed out that in other developments they can go up to 15 storeys high but in The Block they can only go to three levels.

A spokesperson for Minister Sartor, however, denied The Block has been treated differently to other parts of Redfern and Waterloo. "The Department of Planning assesses all proposals it receives rigorously and on their merits."

The project now complies with all of the RWA requirements as per the Built Environment Plan. Their floor space ratios have been adjusted and 50 per cent of the land will be used for commercial development.

Peter Valilis, manager of the Pemulwuy Project, supports the idea of commercial development on the AHC's land. "I've always been of the notion that we need some commercial development to generate income for the community but not at the expense of the residential; as long as we get our 62 houses."

The housing component of the Pemulwuy Project involves having a fourth room as a 'home clinic' where ill family members can stay in comfort. This was initiated in consideration of poor Aboriginal health standards in the area.

Other features of the plan include a three-tiered rental system to accommodate for families of different income levels, the consideration of Aboriginal culture in the area by renaming the streets with traditional Aboriginal names, use of solar light and rainwater tanks, opening up The Block as opposed to keeping it a `no-go' area to help community members integrate and lower crime rates through design and development.

Despite the fact the project had won several awards, in 2004 the RWA minister Frank Sartor, said he wanted to reduce further Aboriginal housing on The Block. His comment followed a parliamentary inquiry, leaked from Cabinet in the same year, into the value of land in Redfern. It found that the value of the land would increase by 30 per cent if The Block were a commercial zone.

After Mr Mundine's refusal of the Minister's proposal, Mr Sartor suggested merely renovating the 20 dwellings that exist on The Block and placing other residents in public housing elsewhere in Redfern and Waterloo. Mick Mundine also opposed that suggestion. "They can't make us sell our land to anybody, but they're trying to pull the wool over our eyes to really undermine us."

It has been seven years since the Pemulwuy Project plan was first drafted. The plan sits with the AHC's lawyers who are perfecting it to ensure its approval with the NSW Planning Department. Mr Valilis is confident that the project can not be rejected for any planning reasons as it now complies with all of the RWA's requirements.

Mr Mundine is ready for action if the Pemulwuy Project is not approved. "If Sartor knocks us back after the 40 day period, we're going straight to the Land Environment Court. We're going to fight him all the way."

Photo: Concept plan of the Pemulwuy project as shown on the Aboriginal Housing Company's website November 2007.

Photomontage of mixed development in the Pemulwuy project as shown on AHC website.

Source: University of Technology Precinct South Sydney Edition Issue 4/2007 page 7.

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