Redfern's The Block to be redeveloped

The NSW Government has approved the concept plan for the project at inner-city Redfern, giving it the go ahead in principle for development.

Decades of crime, a thriving drug trade and a riot after the 2004 death of teenager Thomas "TJ" Hickey, who became impaled on a fence while being followed by police, contributed to the neighbourhood's troubled reputation.

Known as the Pemulwuy Project, the development will see the construction of 62 family apartments and more than 9000 square metres of commercial, community and cultural space.

The project is named in honour of Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy who led resistance against European settlers from 1792 until he was shot dead in 1802. His name is derived from the Darug word pemul, meaning Earth.

The land is owned by the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) headed by Aboriginal leader Mick Mundine.

"People say to me: 'Where (will) the money come from?' - I don't know yet," Mr Mundine said.

But he's adamant the project will be built within five years.

"The dream will come true - we will get the money," he said.

NSW Planning Minister Kristina Kenneally, Deputy Premier and local MP Carmel Tebbutt, federal member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore all attended the planning approval announcement at The Block today.

However, neither the state nor federal governments have flagged any funds for the development.

"We'll certainly defer to the Aboriginal Housing Company because it's their land, it's their project and we want to see where they want to take it next," Ms Tebbutt said.

NSW Opposition planning spokesman Brad Hazzard backed the planning approval but warned residents of The Block not to expect much else.

"If it's taken 10 years for state Labor to give an approval for a development application on The Block, is it going to take another 10 years to get any sense out of this government in terms of assisting with finance?"

Resident Charles Marr said local Aboriginal youths should get first crack at construction jobs created by the project.

"If they haven't got the qualifications or the certificates, we'll put them in a course to do it and then chuck them on it," Mr Marr said.

Jack Dunn, who has lived in The Block for four years, welcomed the project but warned it is just a start not a silver bullet.

"It's a step forward but there's a long way to go," he said.

"You've got to deal with education, health, employment - the issues we've got to look at too besides housing."

Mr Mundine says he hopes the completed project will improve residents' lives and inspire other Aboriginal communities.

"The Block was such a hotspot in the past," he said.

"It was degraded, it was down the gutter."

He said success for the project would provide a good role model for black organisations and Aboriginal people everywhere.

Source: www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25724957-12377,00.html