Redfern and Waterloo Revitalisation by RWA or Not?

I happened to glance at the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) website the other day when I was struck by their opening statement.

“The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is responsible for revitalising Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington through urban renewal, improved human services and job creation.” (Has it happened? Did I Miss it?)

‘What an astounding claim’, I thought - I never in my life came across a single agency that could make such an claim, never mind have the resources, capacity, or means to revitalise any community on it’s own. I would love to know the secret to their claimed success.

Do not get me wrong, I think the area has seen some fantastic changes for the better and there is still a long way to go; I do ponder though how much of it is a result of RWA’s existence?

Surely addressing today’s complex community issues would require a multi-sector approach that is comprehensive, not just a sole agency - yet according to the Latest REDWatch bulletin this appears not to be the case “The re-formation of the South Sydney Interagency comes after the clear failure of the RWA to deliver the co-operative approach between government and non-government human service agencies recommended in the review of human services”

Despite RWA ‘successes’ in relation to future and current employment opportunities, and their land development strategies, surely they must hang their head in shame for failing to establish a solid working relationship with the NGO’s and community activists in the area? After all they (the NGO’s) are delivering the bulk of human services in the area and effectively within a context of stretched resources, and with a higher demand of services.

Despite this it seems they are having little input into the urban renewal programme of RWA, whom are being perceived to be working within a ‘top down approach despite there being overwhelming evidence throughout the world showing that that approach never works.

It is an established fact that a whole-community as well as a whole-government approach is required for any reform or ‘regeneration’ of any community to be effective - surely then all the players need to be working within an equal footing. One would assume that RWA would be in a position to demonstrate leadership, and an understanding to form their strategies which would encompass the collective energies of the community.

Surely we should be in a situation after three years of RWA’s presence in the community where the whole community; residents, and NGO’s, and Government Agencies felt an equal sense of partnership, and ownership of the renewal process? If it happened it would no doubt make the potential success of sustainable revitalisation to be far greater.

I leave with this question - surely any renewal attempts that do not have the full backing of the local community (and when NGO’s are not seen as an equal player), it is likely destined for failure… is it not?

Taz Devil - Waterloo, NSW