Redfern Waterloo is changing and we want to hear your ideas about how to make it a great place for everyone to live.

The Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) is undertaking a Social Impact Scoping and Assessment to understand the potential social impacts of the revitalisation of Redfern Waterloo. GHD Australia is undertaking this work on behalf of SMDA.

Community input is an important component of this project and GHD is hosting a series of focus groups with public housing tenants, community members and key stakeholders to identify the potential social impacts of the revitalisation and discuss opportunities to address these impacts. The information gathered will inform the Social Impact Scoping and Assessment which is currently being undertaken by SMDA. This project is a preliminary assessment, and will inform more detailed and ongoing social impact assessment and master planning work into the future.

Background

The Redfern Waterloo area has been identified by the NSW Government as a priority area for revitalisation and redevelopment to accommodate the rapidly growing need for housing and employment in Sydney. Redfern Waterloo has been identified for a number of reasons, including its close proximity to the CBD, public transport links and amount of government owned land and assets.

SMDA is the agency responsible for driving housing and employment opportunities in Redfern Waterloo, working in partnership with other government agencies and key stakeholders to implement urban renewal initiatives.

The Draft Built Environment Plan Stage Two (BEP2) provides options to revitalise existing Housing NSW sites in Redfern, Waterloo and South Eveleigh to increase density and improve social mix. Currently the Redfern Waterloo sites accommodate 3,500 public housing dwellings, with 100 public housing dwellings on the South Eveleigh site. Draft BEP2 proposes a mix of 2,800 public dwellings, 700 affordable homes and 3,500 private dwellings for Redfern Waterloo and an additional 200 in South Eveleigh over the next 25 years.

Your ideas and participation is important for this project

Focus Groups

The purpose of the focus groups is to assist in identifying potential social impacts that could result from the redevelopment of the Housing NSW sites in Redfern, Waterloo and South Eveleigh. The focus groups will also work collaboratively to identify ways to address and manage these potential impacts to ensure that positive social outcomes are achieved for all current and future residents of Redfern Waterloo.

A series of focus groups will be held in early February 2012 with the following key community and stakeholder groups:

• Social housing tenants
• Indigenous residents
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse residents
• Private residents
• Local businesses
• Non-government organisations
• Government agencies
• Affordable and other housing organisations

The information gathered from these focus groups will directly inform the Social Impact Scoping and Assessment as well as future assessments of redevelopment plans for these Housing NSW sites, anticipated to be undertaken progressively over an extended time period. Participants will be provided with a brief report on the outcomes of the focus groups following completion of the project in mid 2012. SMDA is committed to working collaboratively with public housing tenants, community members and key stakeholders to ensure they are informed and consulted throughout the project.

More Information

For further information on the redevelopment of Redfern Waterloo can be found on the SMDA’s website at www.smda.nsw.gov.au
For more information about the Social Impact Scoping and Assessment contact:

Julie Parsons
Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority
(02) 9202 9117
julie.parsons@smda.nsw.gov.au

Lauren Harding
GHD
(02) 9239 7142
lauren.harding@ghd.com

Source:  Social Impact Scoping and Assessment for Redfern Waterloo - Focus Group Information Sheet PDF 490 KB PDF

The Redfern and Waterloo areas contains a major concentration of social housing in buildings ranging from 2-storey walk-up blocks to towers up to 17 storeys high in Redfern and 30 storeys high in Waterloo.  Redfern and Waterloo contain 3,500 dwellings owned by Housing NSW.

This area is suffering from a wide range of physical and social problems, including visually dominating buildings, uninviting public spaces, crime and anti-social behaviour.  Much of the housing is also in poor condition and not up to contemporary standards.

The Redfern and Waterloo Preliminary Masterplan Project will provide a plan to address these issues through the renewal of the social housing. It will provide for at least 3,500 additional homes resulting in a total of 7,000 dwellings, to be split approximately to at least 50% private housing, 40% social housing and 10% affordable housing. The plan will also provide for new shops and community facilities, and identify improvements to streets and public spaces.

During 2000 and 2011, Housing NSW has been talking with local residents and other stakeholders about their ideas for the renewal of the social housing area.

In November 2011, a series of Community Design workshops were held to provide local residents and other stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the plan for the renewal of Redfern estate. This report outlines the process and outcomes of these workshops.

Waterloo

Loved Aspects of Waterloo Summary

Amongst the aspects of Waterloo that the residents love identified through this activity, a series of common themes emerged. These included:

• Proximity to facilities and public transport
• Diverse people
• Sense of community
• Trees and parks

Waterloo Issues Summary

Amongst the concerns about Waterloo identified through this activity, a series of common themes emerged. These included:

• Lack of community facilities and services
• Feeling of insecurity
• Lack of sun and daylight reaching dwellings and open space due to dense tree foliage
• Lack of seats with backs
• Poorly maintained and cleaned paths
• Poor visibility of shops

Common Ideas for improving Waterloo

Amongst the ideas for the improvement of Waterloo identified through this activity, a series of common themes emerged. These included:

• Central hub of local shops, services, community and medical facilities on George Street south of Raglan Street
• Larger shops/    showrooms on McEvoy Street with apartments above
• Pedestrian plaza at the heart of a community focal point
• Varied building heights
• New parks of varied types
• More open-canopied trees
• Underground car parking

Redfern

Loved Aspects of Redfern Summary

Amongst the aspects of Redfern that the residents love identified through this activity, a series of  common themes emerged. These included:

• Proximity to the city
• Redfern Park
• Cafés
• Trees
• Parks
• Community

Redfern Issues Summary

Amongst the concerns about Redfern identified through this activity, a series of common themes emerged. These included:

• Uninviting and unused open spaces
• Feeling of insecurity in streets, open spaces and building entries
• Lack of seating along key pedestrian routes
• Poor lighting in streets and public spaces
• Lack of shops, community facilities and toilets

Common Ideas for Improvement of Redfern

Amongst the ideas for the improvement of Redfern identified through this activity, a series of common themes emerged. These included:

• A central hub of local shops, services, community and medical facilities on Morehead Street OR
• Shops and services on Redfern Street with apartments above  OR
  
• Shops and services on Elizabeth Street south of Redfern Street with apartments above
• A pedestrian plaza at the heart of a community focal point
• Business space facing Elizabeth Street north of Redfern Street
• New streets or paths through long blocks, particularly Poets Corner
• Varied types and sizes of park
• Communal open spaces between buildings
• Underground car parking

What HNSW Say about the Next Steps

The ideas generated by the workshops will now be used to formulate and refine concepts to deliver the best outcomes. This will result in preferred concepts which will identify the proposed location for new shops and facilities, new and upgraded streets, paths and open spaces, and new residential buildings.

The refined concepts will form the basis of the structure plan within the Preliminary Masterplan and will be presented to the community in March 2012. This will form part of a second series of community design workshops intended to develop more detail around the concepts.

Finally, a Preliminary Masterplan will be developed that will provide more detail about the nature of the proposed new and upgraded buildings, streets and open spaces. This will be presented to the community in the second half of 2012.

The full reports from which the above has been extracted can be found at:

Redfern - Redfern Nov 2011 Community Design Workshop Report - HNSW Masterplan

Waterloo - Waterloo Nov 2011 Community Design Workshop Report - HNSW Masterplan

Aboriginal Housing Company Limited has submitted Environmental Assessments (EAs) for the above proposed project application and associated modification to the approved concept plan. The applications involve the demolition of existing improvements on the land and construction of a residential, commercial, retail, community and cultural facilities, public Open space, landscaping and car parking development.

The EAs may be viewed on the Department's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au). The EAs will also be on exhibition from Thursday 19 January 2012 until Wednesday 29 February 2012 during regular business hours, at:

• Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney;
• City of Sydney Council, One Stop Shop, Level 2, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney; and 
• Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre, 158 Redfern Street, Redfern.
  

If you wish to make a submission on the project, it must reach the Department by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012.
For further details on how to make a submission, please see below.

Persons lodging submissions are required to declare reportable political donations (including donations of $1000 or more) made in the previous two years. For more details, including a disclosure form, go to www.planning.nsw.gov.au/donations.

Under section 75H of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Director-General is required to provide copies of submissions received during the exhibition period, or a report of the issues raised in those submissions, to the Proponent and other interested public authorities. It is Departmental policy to also place a copy of your submission on the Departments website. If you do not want your name to be made available to the Proponent, these authorities, or on the Department's website, please clearly state this in your submission.

Your contact officer for this proposal, Jane Flanagan, can be contacted on Phone: (02) 9228 6431; Fax: (02) 9228 6455; Email: jane.flanagan@planning.nsw.gov.au. Please mark all correspondence regarding the proposal to Ms Flanagan's attention.

Yours sincerely
Alan Bright
A/Director Metropolitan and Regional Projects South
Department of Planning & Infrastructure 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001 Phone 02 9228 6111 Fax 02 9228 6455 Website planning.nsw.gov.au

EXHIBITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS - Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development, Redfern

Application No:    MP06_0101 MOD 1 & MP11_0093
Location:              Eveleigh, Vine, Louis, Caroline and Lawson Streets, Redfern
Proponent:           Aboriginal Housing Company Limited
Council area:       City of Sydney

Description of proposal

1. Modification of the approved concept plan for a mixed use development of the site comprising: affordable and student housing units, commercial, retail, community and cultural facilities, public open space, landscaping and car parking, to permit:

• a higher total gross floor area (GFA);
• less retail/commercial community and cultural facilities GFA;
• more residential and public open space GFA and more car parking; and
• no community re-use of 1-11 Vine Street.

2. A Project Application for:

Demolition of existing improvements on the land and construction of the mixed use development in accordance with the concept plan, incorporating the proposed modifications. 

Exhibition

A copy of the Environmental Assessments (EAs) may be viewed on the Department of Planning & Infrastructure's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au). The EAs will also be on exhibition from Thursday 19 January 2012 until Wednesday 29 February 2012 during regular business hours at:

• Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney; and
• City of Sydney Council, One Stop Shop, Level 2, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney; and 
• Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre, 158 Redfern Street, Redfern. 

Submissions

Submissions on the applications must reach the Department by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012. Your submission should include:

• Your name and address;
• The name of the applications and the application numbers;
• A statement on whether you support or object to the project; and
• The reasons why you support or object to the project.

Your submission should be:

• Faxed to (02) 9228 6455;
• Posted to Major Projects Assessment, Department of Planning & Infrastructure, GPO Box 39, SYDNEY NSW 2001; or
• Emailed to plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au or via the entry for the project on the Department's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au)

Persons lodging submissions are required to declare reportable political donations (including donations of $1000 or more) made in the previous two years. For more details, including a disclosure form, go to www. planning .nsw.gov.au/donations

Under section 75H of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Director-General is required to provide copies of submissions received during the exhibition period, or a report of the issues raised in those submissions, to the Proponent and other interested public authorities. it is Departmental policy to also place a copy of your submission on the Department's website. If you do not want your name to be made available to the Proponent, these authorities, or on the Department's website, please clearly state this in your submission.

Enquiries: 1300 305 695 or information@planning.nsw.gov.au

Links to documents on the Department of Planning & Infrastructure from REDWatch

There are two exhibitions happening simultaneously so there are two EAs - Environmental Assessment _ Project Approval Application No 11_0093.pdf and Environmental Assessment Modification of Concept Plan Approval No 06_0101.pdf. All the supporting Appendices are the same for both exhibitions and can be found under Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development Concept Plan MP06_0101 MOD 1.

The Department's website also shows the documents submitted by the AHC on two occasions to obtain the Departments requirements for the exhibition (the Director General's Requirements (DGRs). The initial documents submitted are difficult to follow on the departments website as there is no indication of what is in each file. For a list of contents of each file in the 2010 application see REDWatch's Pemulwuy Project Modification Details Publicly Available.

The application documents also contains a copy of the approval to submit from landholders covered by the proposal including the City of Sydney Council, Aboriginal Medical Centre, Housing NSW, The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and previously the Department of Aboriginal Affairs NSW these can be found under Section 75W application form.pdf (952.9 KB).

All documents will be available at:

• Pemulwuy Mixed Used Development, Redfern
• Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development Concept Plan MP06_0101 MOD 1

at 157-163 Cleveland Street Redfern was also expected in January 2012. It is not a part of the Pemulwuy Project but is a separate development proposed by Urbabest in the same precinct so keep an eye out also for this exhibition.

10 of the 12 busy platforms are accessable through steep concrete steps, the other 2 underground platforms are reachable by escalator, but there is no wheelchair access to any of the platforms.

Transport for NSW said 75 per cent of passengers across the rail network do have disability access, according to the Director of Disability Rights Policy at the Australian Human Rights Comission, David Mason, precise measurements are difficult to take and access to Redfern station is not yet required.

“The Disability Discrimination Act does not yet require access to all public transport: there is a required schedule for phased achievement of access as per the Disability Standards for Accessible Pubic Transport which commenced in 2002 and set out a series of targets from there,” he said.

“Given the importance of Redfern as an interchange and as a link to the university and other major facilities it would of course be desirable for Redfern to be accessible as soon as possible.”

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann asked questions of the government on notice during Budget Estimates hearings regarding improved access at Redfern station.

“From the Minister’s response it appears that the Easy Access upgrade for Redfern hasn’t even been scheduled yet. This isn’t good enough,” Ms Faehrmann said.

“This is a key station that services a very densely populated community. It should be treated with the utmost priority,” Ms Faehrmann said.

Spokesperson for Redfern community group REDWatch, Geoffrey Turnbull, said: “In 2003 we asked for at least one lift so at least people with mobility problems could access Redfern even if they needed to travel via Central to change to another line”.

REDWatch and other groups are renewing their call in 2012 for one lift to be built as a matter of urgency.

“We need to force the issue on Redfern Station otherwise it could be many more years before we see access problems addressed.”

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said they are undertaking a review into the way stations are selected for easy access upgrades, commuter car parks and interchanges and general station upgrades in order to ensure the best possible outcome for public transport customers and the taxpayer.

After the review is completed the Government will be in a position to announce new and additional rail station upgrades based on the updated criteria.

However, action is far from assured.

“We understand that nothing will happen until the new government finalises their Transport Master Plan. Redfern station will then need to compete for funding up against other transport projects” Mr Turnbull said.

Source: www.altmedia.net.au/wheelchair-access-denied-no-getting-off-at-redfern/46874

Council officers currently are compiling a cross-disiplinary list of initiatives completed, underway or budgeted in each area as an initial frame for what is going on locally. Brochures that include these lists should be on the website mid-January.

The village plans themselves will come together over the coming four or five months with input/suggestions/vision from groups like REDWatch and others in the community about projects where communities would like support or facilitation, or ideas that form part of a longer term vision for the community, things that may have been missed etc.

The timing at this stage is that we will be compiling all the suggestions /proposals over January and February, community forums will be run in each area in March, and draft plans will go to Council around May (and be exhibited for community comment) .

You can find out about the new "Village Groups" and how to make a submission at www.2030inyourvillage.com.au. You can also make a submission by filling in this form. 

One of the first studies done on the new boundaries was the Redfern Street Village Centre study (PDF 445Kb)

Council has circulated the flyer below to encourage community involvement. Please note that the wording used below was incorrect and there are as yet no finalised 'preliminary plans' these as explained above are expected in mid January.

2030 in Your Village

The City of Sydney includes diverse villages and neighbourhoods, each known for their distinctive characteristics.

These villages and neighbourhoods are at the heart of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan. When developing the plan, we envisioned them as places where you can walk or ride a bike for most of the shops and services you need, take time out in a leafy park or enjoy a community event.

We invite you to be involved in planning the next stage of the future of your neighbourhood and village.

Our villages are as equally important for the culture and economy of our city as the CBD.

In 2005/2006, we developed Local Action Plans (LAP) in consultation with you to honour our City of Villages commitment. Most LAP projects are underway or complete, including new facilities, parks and street improvements.

We again consulted in 2007 to develop Sustainable Sydney 2030 – our long term vision to make Sydney environmentally, economically, socially
and culturally sustainable.

Many new residents and businesses have made Sydney their home since 2007. As the City develops new community-based projects we again invite
you to work with us.

We have prepared preliminary plans for discussion and comment.

They reflect our work so far and capture what we already know about your neighbourhood.

You can see them at www.2030inyourvillage.com.au and follow the prompts to have your say or send your feedback to City of Sydney Village Planning Team, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Following your comment and feedback, we will prepare draft plans to discuss with you at a workshop in early 2012. After the workshops, we will
develop proposals for Council’s consideration and funding in future budgets.

Clover Moore MP Lord Mayor

Many of the 10 village groups the City of Sydney has identified share a major main street. Village groups will help Council manage how they work to provide services and fairly allocate funding. The Ten village Groups are:

• CBD & Harbour
• Chinatown & CBD South
• Crown & Baptist Streets
• Glebe Point Road
• Green Square & City South
• Harris Street
• King Street
• Macleay Street & Woolloomooloo
• Oxford Street
• Redfern Street

The Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) announced today that it has engaged the Government Architect’s Office to review draft plans for a major housing revitalisation project in Redfern-Waterloo, providing an additional 3,700 new dwellings. This review is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment for urban renewal in identified areas close to public transport to provide much-needed dwellings.

Mr Wakelin-King, CEO of the SMDA, said that the Government Architect’s Office will review the draft Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP 2) which identifies a number of Housing NSW sites in Redfern, Waterloo and South Eveleigh to be re-developed, which was publicly exhibited in early 2011.

“This plan is not about re-locating existing residents but is about planning for the future in partnership with Housing NSW,” Mr Wakelin-King said “Our initial plan, which was released for public comment early this year, identified that these areas can sustain up to 7,300 dwellings, which includes 700 affordable housing dwellings and 3,500 private dwellings.”

Draft BEP 2 provides for a mix of social, affordable and private housing to achieve long term social sustainable outcomes. The provision of new dwellings within well-located sites close to jobs and public transport is one of the NSW Government’s top priorities.

Redfern-Waterloo is well serviced by major transport hubs, world-class tertiary education facilities, major health infrastructure, established employment lands and the evolving creative centres of the Australian Technology Park and North Eveleigh.

The review of draft BEP 2 will build on previous community feedback received and will include consultation with City of Sydney Council and state agencies, and will involve a number of targeted community workshops. The review will inform the draft plan which will be placed on formal public exhibition in 2012, in conjunction with a master planning process being undertaken by Housing NSW.

The review will focus on sustainable outcomes and the planning controls proposed in the draft plan including appropriate building heights, setbacks, landscaping and provision for public parks.

“The SMDA looks forward to the positive contribution the Government Architect’s Office will bring to this important urban renewal opportunity for the area,” Mr Wakelin-King said.

The draft BEP 2 sites form part of the Redfern-Waterloo urban renewal area which is currently being investigated by the NSW Government under the Urban Renewal State Environmental Planning Policy.

Source: www.smda.nsw.gov.au/downloads/bep2%20_media_release_011211.pdf

Customer Service Benchmarking – Service Delivery Solutions

Customer Service Service Standards

Housing NSW is undertaking a new way of ensuring the quality of service provided by the Housing Contact Centre and local offices is of the highest possible standard. Service standards have been developed in consultation with the Tenants Advisory Committee. An excerpt of the Standards is below. Assessments are conducted on services provided and the results of these assessments are compared to benchmarks to identify areas of good services and areas for improvement. 

Source: Housing NSW Document released on 22 November 2011

The Pemulwuy Project to renew The Block is an important project for Redfern and the City. It will create new affordable housing for Aboriginal families and provide child care, student accommodation, shops and a gallery. It will also improve the public spaces with public art and a better connection to Redfern Station.

Council is involved because we have agreed to transfer Eveleigh Lane, the eastern part of Caroline Lane, and seven pockets of land on Eveleigh Street to enable the development to take place.

The token sum for the transfer of land is a sign of our support for a project we believe will revitalise this community and restore its Aboriginal presence.

Council will make a final decision on granting owner’s consent at its meeting on Monday night and there will be more opportunities to have a say once the Development Application is submitted to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for approval.

Information

• Report to Corporate, Finance, Properties and Tenders Committee Meeting Monday 28 November 2011 - Owner’s Consent - Lodgement Of A Development Application For The Redevelopment Of The Block - Known As The Pemulwuy Project | PDF 77Kb

• Attachment A: Location Plan Attachment A | PDF 293Kb
• Attachment B: Resolution of Council, and Report to Council, of 27 June 2011 Attachment B | PDF 347Kb
• Attachment C: Public Domain Plans Attachment C | PDF 1.6Mb
• Attachment D: Summary of Submissions Attachment D | PDF 442Kb
• Attachment E: Caroline Lane Plan Attachment E | PDF 662Kb
• Attachment F: Draft Deed (Confidential)
  

For the last 7 years REDWatch has been in the business of getting the word out about what is happening in Redfern & Waterloo. We have done this without any external funding relying on the time and contributions of our members. The nature of REDWatch’s activity limits the places that REDWatch can go to for funding but income is necessary to better do many of the things we do – like getting the word out to residents about forums and activities for those not on email, so we are having to look at fundraising activities.

REDWatch recently made a submission for funding to Project Local which is a community grant programme which is run locally through Central Magazine. The $2,500 grant turns out to be granted on community voting and so we are asking our members and supporters to support our Community Resourcing and Education project. Voting Closes on Friday 2 December 2011.

To give REDWatch your votes you first have to register  http://projectlocal.com.au/ and then get a link which gets you 10 votes and access to voting. REDWatch is one of four local options within the Central’s coverage area – ours is the big red square!

You get given 10 votes and get to cast them one at a time for the projects of your choice. So if you want to cast all 10 votes for the REDWatch proposal, which we hope you will do, then you will need to vote 10 times for the REDWatch proposal.

The Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) is currently considering the submissions received regarding the non-statutory exhibition of draft BEP 2 which occurred earlier this year. The SMDA is also arranging for a range of further studies and analysis to support the appropriate future controls for the draft BEP 2 sites. This forms part of an urban renewal study for the Redfern-Waterloo Precinct with priority for the draft BEP 2 sites.

When complete, these studies and draft planning controls will be exhibited. The key studies that will inform the future controls for draft BEP 2 are:

• A Communications Strategy (to guide the consultation process and engagement with key stakeholders);
• An Urban Design and Public Domain Study (reviewing the previous draft BEP 2 and associated analysis and all submissions received, together with the study requirements from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure);
• Transport, Traffic and Accessibility (reviewing previous preliminary work, augmented with more detailed analysis of the wider area and appropriate modelling, in close consultation with Transport for NSW);
• A Social Impact Assessment (building upon previous review work on community facilities, and appropriate scoping for social impact assessment);
• Economic analysis (including the economic/industry profile of the area and retail needs, availability, and impact on centres);
• Infrastructure and environmental capacity (including utility capacity, natural and man-made processes and sustainability measures);

To date, Aecom has recently been appointed to undertake the Infrastructure and Environmental Capacity Study and Straight Talk has been appointed to undertake a Consultation Strategy. 

• Straight Talk will undertake the Consultation Strategy;
• Aecom will undertake the Sustainable Servicing and Supporting Infrastructure Capacity Study;
• Parsons Brinckerhoff will undertake the Transport, Traffic and Accessibility Study; and
• Hill PDA will undertake the Economic Analysis.]

Consultants for other studies are yet to be appointed at this stage. However, it is anticipated that consultants will be appointed shortly and work will be underway in November 2011.

The SMDA will progressively advise on its website of the appointment of consultants and welcomes feedback from individuals, organisations and other stakeholders on key issues which they would like considered in the relevant study by the SMDA. This way, SMDA will be able to ensure key issues are considered appropriately and in a timely manner.

If you have any questions, please contact the SMDA Urban Renewal Team on 9202 9100 or email contactus@smda.nsw.gov.au.

Source: http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/other/latest_news/20111114_bep2_urban_renewal_sepp_study.pdf

Background

Commencing operation in 2005, the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) was established to undertake urban renewal and revitalisation across the built environment, employment and enterprise, and human services in its local area. The Redfern-Waterloo Authority was established as a temporary organisation and during the past six years, there has been over $300 million of investment in the area through improved development, job creation, health and community services.

The Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) was established in December 2010 to identify, plan and develop substantial new urban centres within greater Sydney. The SMDA will be assuming many of RWA’s functions and has two precincts currently under review being RedfernWaterloo and Granville.

Subject to parliament, the RWA Act 2004 should be repealed by late 2011.

Fact Sheet purpose

The RWA Transition Fact Sheet is to provide an overview for the transition of the RWA’s functions including:

• The achievements of the RWA and its partner agencies
• The NSW Government’s commitment to Redfern-Waterloo
• What will happen to RWA’s functions
• The role of the SMDA
• The next steps

Achievements of the RWA and partner agencies

As a consequence of the implementation of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan and the work of the RWA and its partner agencies, the following has occurred:

• The $53 million National Centre for Indigenous Excellence which opened in February 2010 including the direct support of $500,000 from the RWA;
• The concept planning and sale of the Rachel Forster Hospital for a 150 dwelling residential development valued at $70 million upon completion;
• The development of Australian Technology Park including $123 million for 8 Central Ave (Channel 7) and the $47 million NICTA Building;
• The establishment of Eveleigh Market;
• The redevelopment of the Redfern RSL ($25 million) and Gibbons St Carpark ($35 million) for residential and commercial use
• The enhancement of heritage in the local area through the Redfern-Waterloo Heritage Taskforce, the Heritage Interpretation Plan and heritage-related projects at Australian Technology Park with more than $3 million being invested in the Redfern area;
• Improved perception of Redfern-Waterloo by the wider community;
• Assisting Redfern police in the reduction of serious crime;
• An improved range of targeted local health and community services;
• Improved training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people via the Aboriginal Employment Program including Koori Job Ready and Yaama Dhiyaan. Since its inception, over 850 employment opportunities have been created for the Aboriginal community;
• The implementation of Phase one and two of the Human Services Plan. Phase one focused on improving health services, services for Aboriginal people, youth services, alcohol and mental health issues, and services for children and young families. Phase two looks at improving human services delivery for older people, people with disabilities, migrant communities and homeless people; and
• The RWA has provided over $1 million in community grants over the past six years.

What you need to know

What is the NSW Government’s commitment to the Redfern-Waterloo area.

• The NSW Government is committed to the long term social outcomes for Redfern-Waterloo and its ongoing renewal to bring positive and lasting benefits to the area;
• Redfern-Waterloo will continue to see future significant and positive developments through the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) and other agencies; and
• The NSW Government will continue to consult closely with the community.

Why is the RWA winding up

• The RWA was established to facilitate change up to a 10-year period. It was always a temporary organisation;
• The RWA has made a positive contribution in the Redfern-Waterloo area and has facilitated change through collaboration with agencies and the community; and
• The RWA has delivered a strategic framework for human services reform. Agencies will continue the reform process initiated by the Redfern-Waterloo Plan; and
• Significant change has occurred in the Redfern-Waterloo area over the past six years with real and lasting benefits for the community in the areas of investment, job creation, health and community service.

What will happen to RWA’s functions

• Many of the responsibilities of the RWA will continue through the SMDA and other agencies;
• The transition of RWA’s functions has already commenced with the transfer of Development Applications to City of Sydney and the Aboriginal Employment Program now being supported by Australian Technology Park Sydney Limited;
• RWA is committed to creating sustainable pathways for the key programs under the RedfernWaterloo Plan and will be discussing with its partner agencies the best ways to ensure programs continue to operate successfully in the local area; and
• The RWA will keep the community updated as the transition plans develop.

What is the role of the SMDA

• The role of the SMDA is to drive housing and employment opportunities in specific areas serviced by public transport and infrastructure and build economies of urban centres;
• As a priority, the SMDA will focus on the urban renewal of the Redfern-Waterloo and Granville precincts;
• While the SMDA will continue a number of the core planning and development functions of the RWA, it has an entirely separate legislative platform;
• SMDA takes a state significant view of metropolitan precincts and projects, not just State significant sites;
• The SMDA will adopt the urban renewal functions of the RWA including planning and development to continue the renewal of Redfern;  and
• The SMDA will be delivering further plans for the Redfern-Waterloo precinct including the Built Environment Plan 2 and an Urban Renewal Study; and
• The SMDA will continue to consult with the community.

More information

Further fact sheets on the transition of the activities of the RWA will be provided in the future. If you have any questions in the interim please contact:

Redfern-Waterloo Authority

Tel: 9202 9100 Email: redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au

Level 11, Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern NSW 2015

www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au

Source: http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/other/latest_news/transition_fact_sheet_021111.pdf