Green light for The Block development

"Because he's done more for the Aboriginal community than anyone else," said Geoff Turnbull, a spokesman for the residents group, REDwatch.

Four years ago, Mr Sartor indicated would prefer not to have any more Aboriginal housing at the site that was the birthplace of Australia's black rights movement.

Mr Turnbull said the former Labor minister's tough talk effectively achieved the impossible: uniting diverse indigenous groups behind the Aboriginal Housing Corporation, which owns the 1000 square metre block.

Years of political wrangling were momentarily forgotten on Thursday as the State Government announced it had approved a concept plan for the $60 million Pemulwuy project under the Part 3A "major projects" process. Development applications will follow.

The Aboriginal Housing Corporation's chief executive officer, Mick Mundine, described the Planning Minister Kristina Keneally as "like the rose that's been picked from the garden" for giving the project the green light.

Under the plan, the remaining ramshackle terrace houses at The Block will be razed to make way for a mixed-use development featuring 62 one- to four-bedroom apartments and more than 9000 square metres - or 60 per cent - commercial space, including shops and cultural areas.

Mr Mundine, who refused to hand over control of the area to the Redfern-Waterloo Authority under Mr Sartor's watch, said it was a brand new day for the community.

On questions of timing and funding, however, he was less certain.

"People are saying to me, `Where will the money come from?' I don't know. You've got to have a little faith and the money will flow in," he said.

Ms Keneally was joined at The Block today by City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, the federal Labor Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek and the NSW Member for Marrickville, Carmel Tebbutt.

The Opposition and the Greens welcomed the announcement, but Opposition spokesman for Redfern-Waterloo, Brad Hazzard, said it had been "a long time coming because of State Labor's incompetence and obstructiveness".

A resident, Charles Marr, watched as a media pack followed the politicians on a tour of the area. He said he had not been told about the plan.

"I don't know exactly what they're doing. It would be good if they put out pamphlets and let people know."

Photo: Jacky Ghossein: Kristina Keneally, Carmel Tebbutt, Tanya Pilbersek and Clover Moore with Mick Mundine in Redfern.

Source: www.smh.com.au/national/green-light-for-the-block-development-20090702-d6fz.html