RWA Pays AHC Fee for Pemulwuy Project Assessment

The break though follows discussions between Meredith Burgmann (Former Legislative Council President and ALP Candidate for Lord Mayor in Sydney), Mick Mundine and RWA and SHFA CEO Robert Domm on 25^th August 2008.

Following the initial meeting the RWA made an offer to the AHC to pay the fee but the AHC had concerns about aspects the accompanying agreement proposed by the RWA. One of the key concerns was the possible interpretations of a provision concerning negotiations with the RWA and other government agencies to ensure good governance of the project.

It is understood that the DoP has been doing adequacy testing of the AHC’s proposal against the Director General’s Requirements (DGRs) and that some additional information on the plans has been requested. It is expected that the proposal will be able to move to exhibition reasonably quickly.

The next political hurdle for the AHC is likely to arise from the exhibition where Government are likely to use any concerns raised about the AHC and its history to try and again push for changes at the AHC and in the governance of the project. While these are outside the scope of the planning controls that govern the project approval, such concerns have been high on the Government and RWA’s historical agenda, and there is no reason to believe they have dissipated.

Local Community Group REDWatch welcomes the breakthrough.

"This project is crucial to sorting out many of the problems associated with Redfern's Block and in making Redfern a place of hope and pride for both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Australians in the future" REDWatch Spokesperson Geoffrey Turnbull said.

"The Government and the AHC have been in a stand off since 2004 over the AHC's plans for Pemulwuy project. The failure to progress the project has lead to four extra years of uneccessary sorrow for many on the Block" said Turnbull.

"The NSW Government and the RWA hopefully will work co-operatively with the AHC to ensure an outcome which is good for the Block and whole community" Mr Turnbull said.

Geoffrey Turnbull

Spokesperson

REDWatch