“See Redfern before Frank Sells It” Parliamentarian’s Tour
REDWatch MEDIA RELEASE
“See Redfern before Frank Sells It” Parliamentarian’s Tour 12.30 – 2.00 4th May 2005
Community Group REDWatch has issued invitations to all NSW Parliamentarians to come on a bus tour of the sites likely to be sold by Redfern-Waterloo Minister Frank Sartor to fund the Redfern Waterloo Authority and its redevelopment of Government infrastructure in Redfern-Waterloo.
Possible Sites include Redfern Public School closed a couple of years ago, the Rachael Foster Hospital Site, the recently vacated Redfern Police Station and the soon to be closed Redfern Court House.
REDWatch spokesperson Geoffrey Turnbull said “REDWatch believes that is unfair for suburbs like Redfern and Waterloo to be expected to fund the building of state assets like a major Railway Station and renewed Public Housing by flogging off scarce inner city public land and some of the old government sites which are very much part of the area’s history. We are sure that it wouldn’t happen in Vaucluse or Pymble so why should it happen in Redfern and Waterloo”.
“At a time when people are talking about the lack of space in Sydney for recreation and sporting activities why would you sell of scarce public land to make up for lack of up front government funding” Mr Turnbull said.
The SMH of April 11 2005 broke the story that Minister Sartor was seeking a $36 million loan from the NSW Government to fund the new Redfern Waterloo Authority until sales of public land could be made to inject funds into the self funding authority.
A copy of the email to Parliamentarians follows for your reference.
For Further Information contact:
Geoffrey
Turnbull
Trevor
Davies
REDWatch
Spokesperson
REDWatch
Tour Organiser
Ph Wk: (02) 9318 0824
Ph:
04 0000 8338
email: turnbullfamily@stassen.com.au
REDWatch is a residents and friends group covering Redfern Eveleigh Darlington and Waterloo (the same area covered by the Redfern Waterloo Authority). REDWatch monitors the activities of government activities such as the RWA and RWPP and seek to ensure community involvement in all decisions made about the area.
REDWatch meets on the 4th Sunday of the Month at 2pm at the Redfern Community Centre.
A free email update service on Redfern Waterloo issues is also available from
COPY OF LETTER TO PARLIAMENTARIANS
“See Redfern before Frank Sells It” Parliamentarian’s Tour – Lunch Break 4th May
According to recent media reports (SMH April 11 2005) Minister Sartor has gone to state cabinet seeking a $36 million loan to fund the Redfern Waterloo Authority until he can sell off Government Land to fund the RWA and the “regeneration” of Redfern Waterloo.
REDWatch believes that is unfair for suburbs like Redfern and Waterloo to be expected to fund the building of state assets like a major Railway Station and renewed Public Housing by flogging off scarce inner city public land and some of the old government sites which are very much part of the area’s history.
We are sure that it wouldn’t happen in Vaucluse or Pymble so why should it happen in Redfern and Waterloo.
So before some of Redfern and Waterloo is sold of we invite you to join us on for a tour of some of our wonderful old heritage buildings.
We have hired a bus which will be outside Parliament house to leave at 12.30 on 4th May and will have you back in time for Legislative Assembly Question time.
Your tour guide will be Tony Pooley, former Mayor of South Sydney. We will provide background on the four most likely sites as well as refreshments at the Redfern Legal Centre which is near the historic Redfern Court House which is soon to be closed.
The Redfern Legal Centre is housed in the old Redfern Town Hall (which is owned by the Sydney City Council so can’t be sold off by Frank!).
We will finalise the program a week out and will let you know further details closer to the time.
Seats are limited so we urge you to get in early and book your seat by ringing Trevor on 04 0000 8338.
We hope to see you on the 4th May in Redfern-Waterloo before Frank sells some of it to fund the Redfern Waterloo Authority its still to be finalised Redfern Waterloo Plan.
Regards,
Geoff
Geoffrey Turnbull
For
REDWatch
C/- PO Box 1567,
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Ph
Wk: (02) 9318 0824 Fax: (02) 9310 2746
email: turnbullfamily@stassen.com.au