$60m to overhaul The Block, Redfern

THE bill to fix what was a crime-ridden inner-city slum comes at $60 million - but no one has offered to pay for it.

An ambitious revival of the notorious housing estate known as The Block was unveiled yesterday as the State Government revealed its concept plan to transform Redfern.

The Block, once infamous for crime, a thriving drug trade and the riot that followed the 2004 death of teenager Thomas 'TJ' Hickey, will be rebuilt into a futuristic mixed-use hub.

The Pemulwuy Project will have 62 family apartments and more than 15,000sq m of commercial, retail, community and cultural space.

Aboriginal Housing Company head Mick Mundine said the project had no funding as yet and was about five years away.

"People say to me, 'Where (will) the money come from.' I don't know yet," he said.

"The dream will come true - we will get the money. The Block was such a hot spot in the past.

"It was degraded, it was down the gutter. I think if we can do what we can do here we'd be a good role model for a lot of black organisations out there and a lot of our people."

The project will be built using principles of crime prevention through environmental design.

"(It) will (provide) buildings designed to address open spaces to promote a neighbourhood-watch feeling," Minister for Redfern Kristina Keneally said.

Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/money/m-to-overhaul-the-block-redfern/story-e6frezc0-1225745352192