Housing NSW a slum landlord

One women’s magazine worth reading

Surry Hills first with a small bar

Henderson Road revolts

Unauthorised roller shutters trash the ambience of Kings Cross

Talent at the Redfern Community Centre

Redfern gets another IGA store at Souths

Housing NSW has some heart

Housing NSW a slum landlord

Last year we carried a number of stories about the appalling condition of public housing and the same neglect by the State Government this year doesn’t look any better. The Central Courier, January 7 2009, tells of a block of units (and shows pictures) of public housing in Waterloo where a corridor was awash with effluent and left like that for four months. I wonder if Minister Borger would put up with sh-t for a day, let alone four months.

One women’s magazine worth reading

Marie Claire (one of the better women’s magazines) February edition carries an amazing story about a local Redfern woman, Belinda Carr, who now works at Mudgin-Gal Women’s Centre. Her story is one of a journey from shooting up heroin on the Block. Now clean for seven years, Belinda, says Marie Claire, “is living proof that even the most dismal addicts can turn their life around”. She works for a service station and a day a week at the Mudgin-Gal “where she lends an empathetic ear and gives heartfelt encouragement to women in trouble”.

Surry Hills first with a small bar

The campaign for small bars seems to have been finally won. John Wardle, who has campaigned very hard for the changes to legislation to allow small bars, recently sent out an email proudly announcing Sydney’s first small bar. It’s in Crown Street, Surry Hills and will feature live blues and jazz on Sundays 7-10pm, with an in-house grand piano. Wardle explains: “The venue has a restaurant liquor license with a primary service authorisation (PSA) pending. PSA is a recent introduction to NSW liquor laws where restaurants can now serve a drink without a meal.”

Henderson Road revolts

The residents of Henderson Road were issued a notice last month about a DA for three satellite antennas on the roof of the Australian Technology Park. One of the residents said, “I don’t quite understand why they would be putting through an application for the installation of the antennas when the building is already in progress. I would have thought that this application would be incorporated with the original development application as part of the building.” The residents are asking questions about the impact of radiation on those nearby and they are concerned about traffic and parking in the area.

Unauthorised roller shutters trash the ambience of Kings Cross  

The SSH has expressed concern over the years about the use of roller shutters for shops on Redfern Street. One headline for the article, I think, read “Redfern Street Baghdad by night” – and that was before the Council amalgamation in 2004. The amalgamation happened and people hoped for an improvement. Andrew Woodhouse, President of the Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, points out in a recent media release the relevant planning control. The South Sydney LEP, covering the Potts Point and Kings Cross areas, Part F, design criteria section 5.2, states unequivocally: “Solid roller shutter doors are not permitted. Transparent or open grill shutters are permitted if located behind the shop front.” Andrew cites seven places in the Cross where there have been DAs approved with roller door shutters. We will have a full report next month.

Talent at the Redfern Community Centre

Redfern Community Centre's music studio proudly launched its new CD Songbird Calling on Friday November 28 at Redfern Community Centre. Its media release tells us that: “Songbird Calling is a dynamic compilation of fresh new songs from artists local to Redfern who have been making good use of the recording studio and the music programs available at the Centre since it first opened adjacent to ‘The Block’ in 2005.  Songbird Calling, the second compilation album from Studio RCC, particularly highlights the diverse talents of local Aboriginal and Torres Islander singers and songwriters, new and well known. Included on the CD are other great local artists and community performers whose contributions beautifully complement the voice of the album. What is achieved is a strong compilation of original songs from Redfern Community Centre that have a lot to say. All the performers and musicians, often in collaboration with each other, have worked with professional support to produce great recordings of great songs. Presenting a range of ages and styles the 13-track CD includes the artists: Dave Quinlan, Wire MC and Choo Choo, Nadeena Dixon, Lawrence Barlow (Lollipop), Cathy Stanley, Tim Bishop, Bryan Wymarra, Block Brothers, Rhubee Neale, The Dreamtime Brothers, Common Ground, Ricky Emmerton, Dr Greenthumb and Block Harmony.” 

If you want to hear some genuinely talented Musos, drop in at the City of Sydney’s Neighbourhood Service Centre, 158 Redfern Street, Redfern. Your donation of $15 goes directly to funding future initiatives of support to local music artists developing their craft at Redfern Community Centre.

Redfern gets another IGA store at Souths

Geoff Turnbull, in his Redfern Waterloo updates, tells us that “Souths Leagues Club has revealed the supermarket to be included in the club’s refurbishment will be an IGA supermarket. Souths say it has tenants lined up for the building when it opens. In addition to running the café on Redfern Park, Souths is also looking for a ‘Signature Chef’ as part of their plan to attract people to the area for functions and good dining at the renovated Club.”

Housing NSW has some heart

You may remember the Age Pension flats in Darlington where the residents were campaigning for an intercom in the complex. Well, good news! They have now been promised it will finally happen in February. We will keep you informed.

Source: South Sydney Herald February 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au