She said her own priorities would include housing, public safety, lighting, better use of public space, and more recreational facilities. “There isn’t a swimming pool south of Cleveland Street while there’s five north of it. They promised the Southern Sydney Aquatic Centre four years ago, and they haven’t even decided on a site yet.”

She also called for a good quality, multi-purpose neighbourhood centre that could be a focus for the community.

She is a strong supporter of the stalled Pemulwuy Project for the redevelopment of the Block. “If it gets off the ground there would be a huge amount of Aboriginal employment in the area. We need the Pemulwuy Project to start, so that there is diverse Aboriginal residency; so that you’ve got public housing, key worker housing, and some private housing all in the one area.” She was optimistic about the project moving forward despite current difficulties.

The issue of carbon trading was raised, and local leader Shane Phillips stressed the importance of involving the Aboriginal community in the process. “It would be great if our people had an opportunity to help try and save the environment through ways that our people have been doing for thousands of years.”

Mr Phillips spoke for many at the meeting when he affirmed the importance of education: “Let the kids learn about their own identity, and their family’s identity, and the big picture, so that they can see the value of education and gain a sense of belonging, and a sense of worth.”

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au

Once a month, locals door-knock the neighbourhood, calling on all drug users and sellers to take a "day off" for what the community calls a Redfern family day. "This is us saying we've had enough," says organiser Shane Phillips.

James, not his real name, is one user. "I hate my life" he says. "I don't want my daughter growing up without a father." James says if Redfern doesn't change, its unlikely he will either.

Living Black video journalist Yaara Bou Melhem went along on the door-knock and found addicts and dealers who are desperately trying to find a different life.

TRANSCRIPT

Redfern has had its fair share of negative attention, not least of all for riots, drugs and violence. But the community here is fed-up and is taking matters into its own hands, by hosting drug-free family days each month. Video journalist Yaara Bou Melhem brings this report on a grassroots community campaign to clean up the streets of Redfern.

VOICEOVER: Redfern's family day event is kicking off in a just few hours time, and organisers are taking on the uncomfortable task of asking drug users and dealers to take the day off.

SHANE PHILIPS, BABANA MEN'S GROUP: So, basically, what we're doing, we hand these out, we go around, people take these. They don't always receive them nicely, but most people do, because they know they're not part of it.

VOICEOVER: Shane Phillips coordinates the event. He's going door-to-door, telling his neighbours there'll be no drinking or drug use, at least for today.

SHANE PHILLIPS: Family and culture day's on again today

MAN: Yeah, bro, yeah.

SHANE PHILLIPS: and as you know, it's alcohol-free and drug-free. Family Day is about reclaiming our community from substance abuse - the sale of substances, drug dealing, people drinking in the street.

VOICEOVER: Family days have been running for the past six months.

Well, it's great. It's a pity it's not every day. It's for these little ones.

VOICEOVER: But it hasn't always gone down well.

SHANE PHILLIPS: Most times what I do is go around, knock on a door, get abused - no, not all the time.

VOICEOVER: Shane says the community is reclaiming the streets of Redfern, to give children the healthy environment they deserve.

SHANE PHILIPS: The signal is we've had enough. We don't want it here. It's not part of our culture.

VOICEOVER: The Block is one of Australia's best-known urban Aboriginal communities, for all the wrong reasons. It's long been associated with crime and drug abuse.

BRAD FREEBURN, ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICE: I really don't know where the turning point was. I really don't. All of a sudden it was like we had this major epidemic.

Brad Freeburn has been working with Redfern's addicts for more than 15 years.

BRAD FREEBURN: Redfern, you got Redfern station - that's pretty central, isn't it? You think about it, 'cause they could get their drugs, they'd get their needles, and they had somewhere to shoot up. And it was this trifecta effect.

VOICEOVER: Needles litter The Block in Redfern.

JOHN: This is the local shooting gallery, yeah. This is where they all shoot up. They shoot up in the corner, over the back, up the lane - you've got another two places round the back here where they do it.

John has been a heroin addict for almost 30 years and offers to show me around The Block.

JOHN: Got a couple of people having a nudge now - I call it a nudge, like a shot - won't be too specific. I'll take you over here, and I'll show you this other place where they do their business. We got kids here - kids play in this little part here, and we got 'em using behind this old van. Just watch yourself as you walk past it. As you can see, there's all paraphernalia here - fit packets and needles and spoons.

REPORTER: So kids play here?

JOHN: Kids play in that little street just behind us here.

VOICEOVER: John has overdosed twice on heroin. He's seeking help for his addiction and is currently on a methadone program. Like most of the people living in Redfern, John knows exactly where he can score.

JOHN: It's a couple of houses over the back - I won't mention any numbers or anything - couple of these houses over here, you can buy it over there.

This 23-year-old says he's speaking with Living Black because he's looking for help. James - not his real name - says there aren't many drugs he doesn't use.

'JAMES': Heroin, coke, speed, LSD, trips - anything to get high - a bit of dope, smoke a bit of weed. I can be more than what I am and I know I can be more than what I am. And I hate what I'm doing to myself.

VOICEOVER: James says he's been in and out of jail and hardly sees his 5-year-old daughter.

'JAMES': I don't want my daughter growing up without a father, if you know what I mean. I could have a shot tomorrow and OD and not come out of it, and I wouldn't want my daughter to say, "Oh, where's my daddy? Where's my dad?" And every night I cry over her.

VOICEOVER: Although James says he wants help, living in Redfern isn't making it very easy.

'JAMES': I dunno - just living in this environment brings a bad vibe to other people and me, myself and young boys and girls my age - it's not a good place to be at the time of growing up. I don't like what I'm doing, but that's the way of life.

BRAD FREEBURN: I feel sorry for families ringing up, going, "I want this bloke in a rehab," or "this girl in a rehab". I say, "Do they know you're ringing?" and they say "No." I say, "We can start it all happening, "but until they walk in the door, nothing's going to happen." That's what you got to tell 'em.

VOICEOVER: Community leader Mick Mundine wants to change Redfern's future.

MICK MUNDINE: That's the needle bus there, right? That's the children's playground, back over there, and this is Redfern Community Centre.

VOICEOVER: He says the needle exchange van is a honey-pot for drug users.

MICK MUNDINE, ABORIGINAL HOUSING COMPANY: Now I believe that needle bus is just destroying our children's mind. I mean, when they grow up they think, "Geez, it's normal to have a needle bus there, "it's normal to get a needle, "it's normal to go shoot up and buy drugs." We got to break that vicious cycle.

VOICEOVER: He's given the needle bus service an ultimatum - move it, or else.

MICK MUNDINE: I gave 'em 10 months. I said, "If the bus isn't out of the community in 10 months, "you'll be locking me up in jail"

VOICEOVER: The health service has justified its visible presence here in Redfern, saying it's one of Sydney's drug hot spots. It says tens of thousands of clean needles are handed out here every month.

PAUL HABER, SYDNEY SW HEALTH SERVICE: Unfortunately, although it's unpleasant at times, our obligation is to prevent outbreaks of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C.

VOICEOVER: Drug use may be an ongoing problem in Redfern, but police say drug-related crime has dropped dramatically in the area over the past seven months.

SUPERINTENDENT LUKE FREUDENSTEIN, REDFERN POLICE: The figures are basically a third down on what we've had before, and I do believe days like the family day certainly contribute.

SHANE PHILLIPS: Seeing kids play around the place and enjoy being kids is enough for me. And for those fellas who are in the system, this is what it's about, this place now, The Block is about strength and unity and what we can do as a people.

Source: Living Black, SBS - http://news.sbs.com.au/livingblack/blockaid_563617

Phillips called on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to support one another. “We should spend at least 70 % of our time and energy on celebrating the positives, and only 30% on the negatives,” he lamented. “I’m so proud of Aboriginal peoples and what they’ve achieved. All of us have roles – performers, sportspeople, community workers. You are all community leaders,” he said.

The afternoon featured drumming, dancing, choirs, bands and musicians from all over the world. The Doudoumba Drums of Africa was a big hit with the audience. As was the country-styled Sharnee Fenwick Band. Fenwick won the Young Deadly of the Year in 2006 at the Opera House and has a song nominated for Song of the Year in 2007.           ::.

Photo: Andrew Collis - The Sharnee Fenwick Band

Photo: Andrew Collis - The Doudoumba Drums of Africa

Response to RedWatch Candidates Questionnaire

March 2007

 Executive Summary

The NSW Government established the Redfern Waterloo Authority in 2004 to revitalize the Redfern-Waterloo area.

Achievements of the RWA in the last three years include:

New jobs and investment to Redfern-Waterloo:  The NSW Government, through the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, has made real progress in creating new jobs and opportunities for the local area and turning around social disadvantage.

We have seen a significant boost in the new jobs and investment flowing into the Redfern-Waterloo area, which is a direct attribute to the hard work of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority.

Our clear plan has seen the RWA generate almost $300 million in new investment for the area, including more than $76 million directly committed by the Authority itself:

$123 million to be invested by Sydney Broadcast Property to build a new state-of-the-art media centre at the Australian Technology Park or ATP, starting in April 2007.

The development is expected to generate more than 600 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs. Will include 60 construction jobs for Indigenous workers, under Jobs Compact signed by the CFMEU and Redfern-Waterloo Authority on 15 May 2005.

$47.5 million being invested by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority in a new research building at the ATP:  Six-storey building that will house National Information and Communications Technology Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation. Estimated Six hundred permanent jobs and during construction 26 jobs for local Indigenous people and new apprentices. The building will be completed about August this year.

$40 million invested in a new Contemporary Arts Centre at North Eveleigh:  The project saw heritage buildings at North Eveleigh converted into this contemporary performing arts space in conjunction with the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and RailCorp. The Contemporary Performing Arts Centre opened in January 2007 in conjunction with the Sydney Festival. Delivered 21 construction jobs for Indigenous people.

$35 million investment by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) to purchase the former Redfern Public School and redevelop it into a new National Indigenous Development Centre. The new Centre will help young people achieve their full potential through mentoring, training and learning initiatives. Expected to help up to 5000 young people each year when fully operational.  Existing Murawina Child Care Centre and four school buildings will be refurbished.

$35.25 million delivered by an Affordable Housing Contribution Plan over the next 10 years, delivering about 75 affordable housing dwellings in the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area – plus another $23 million for affordable housing under the agreement negotiated between the RWA and Carlton and United Breweries over the future development of its Chippendale site.

$16 million to be invested by the RWA for Aboriginal affordable housing:  The RWA has committed to facilitating the provision of new dwellings over the next 10 years to provide affordable housing for Aboriginal residents of Redfern-Waterloo. These dwellings are proposed to be in addition to any housing currently owned or proposed to be privately developed by the Aboriginal Housing Company on AHC land on and around the Block in Redfern.

The RWA Contributions Plan will deliver about $36.7 million in developer contributions for public domain and other public works as a result of future development in the area under the RWA’s Built Environment Plan.

$10 million in transforming the former Redfern Courthouse and Police Station into a new community health facility:  This new facility will become a ‘one-stop-shop’ for health service, designed in response to community feedback. The plan is to provide health assessments, early childhood and family support services, counselling, perinatal and family drug health services, mental health services, welfare support, sexual health services and more.

$6 million from the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to fund a new pedestrian/cycle link between North Eveleigh and the Technology Park

$6.5 million in new roads and infrastructure for the Technology Park.

$4.2 million invested by NSW Police in March 2005 to establish a new police station at the former TNT Tower.

Three-quarters of a million dollars to develop a new training centre at North Eveleigh, including the Yaama Dhinawan Indigenous hospitality training enterprise. 

145 jobs have been created for local indigenous people during the urban renewal process in Redfern Waterloo.

1.  Role of the RWA and Community Consultation

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 establishes and sets out the RWA’s principle functions, taking into consideration social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development, public areas, Aboriginal community needs, social cohesion and community safety.

The RWA’s tasks include:

• Generating jobs for the people of the area,
• Improving delivery of services to the community
• Promoting urban renewal that respects and strengthens the rich heritage that makes this community unique in Sydney.

Current activities of the RWA include:

• Development of job creation schemes for local unemployed, with a particular emphasis on the Indigenous community;
• Developing a Human Services Plan that will improve the delivery of social services to the community;
• Encouraging new anchor tenants and investors to build and bring jobs to the Australian Technology Park;
• Facilitating urban renewal and heritage restoration opportunities at North Eveleigh and other surplus government lands;
• Working on plans to enhance access to and refurbish Redfern Railway Station;
• Seeking a sustainable solution for the Block and its environs;
• Working with the RTA on improving traffic management/pedestrian safety/retail amenity on Regent and other major streets;
• Implementing a community consultation strategy that will include regular newsletters to residents providing news of latest events and activities, setting up an interactive website, quarterly community forums and smaller community meetings on specific issues.

The Redfern-Waterloo Plan is being developed in stages by the RWA with priority being given to economic revitalisation, human services and job creation.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is committed to the NSW Government’s priority of improving the quality of life in Redfern-Waterloo through the involvement of people who live in the community. We will implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy to ensure the best outcomes for all people who live in the Redfern-Waterloo area.

The community consultation framework includes:

• Three Ministerial Advisory Committees on Built Environment, Employment & Enterprise, Human Services;
• Public meetings notified to residents;
• Resident & business focus groups;
• Internet based feedback mechanism;
• Regular post feedback mechanism;
• Working groups of officers as required;
  

All residents can be involved.

Community representatives have been appointed to the three advisory committees. The Committees also contain Government agency representatives.

1.  Built Environment – considering urban design, traffic, public access, public transport, land use, affordable housing and urban renewal.  Community Members: M/s Jocelyn Jackson, Mr Alex Kibble, Mr Richard Pembroke, Mr Shane Phillips, Mr Jonathan Rez, Mr Steve Tamas, Mr Geoffrey Turnbull, M/s Ann Weldon

2.  Employment and Enterprise – considering strategies to increase job and business opportunities in the area, including the Indigenous community.  Community Members:  M/s Megan Gardiner, M/s Margaret Hobbs, Mr Anthony John Larkings, M/s Bronwyn Penrith, Mr Dennis Weatherall, Mr Michael Dalah

3.  Human Services – considering human services and health issues affecting Redfern-Waterloo.  Community Members: M/s Jill Edwards, Mr Howard Glenn, Mr Dominic (Dom) Grenot, Mr Paul Knight, M/s Shirley Lomas, Ms Lynette Stewart, Ms Mabel Chang

Human Services Meetings

Four service cluster groups met to address the first stage of the Human Services Plan. The cluster groups comprised of people responsible for providing services in Redfern-Waterloo.

The workshops each focused on one of the following areas: Health Services, Youth Services, Services for Families and Children, Services for Aboriginal People.   

Community Consultation on the Draft Built Environment Plan and Draft State Environmental Planning Policy

The RWA undertook a comprehensive communication strategy to seek community and stakeholder input on the draft Plan.

This included advertising, information posted on the website, newsletters, information and feedback sessions, a community forum, presentations, briefings and residents meetings.

Key measures included:

1. Public exhibition of the Draft BEP and Draft SEPP for two months to April 14 2006.
2. 15,000 newsletters delivered to all residential dwellings within the RWA operational area advising of the draft BEP and SEPP and consultative arrangements.
3. 2,000 draft Plans distributed to stakeholders, key organisations and interest groups as well as members of the community.
4. A public meeting held March 4 2006 at Redfern Town Hall.
5. Daily Information/Feedback Sessions from 27 February to 10 March at the RWA offices, with additional information sessions held at the community’s request.
6. Special residents’ meetings, stakeholder briefings and interviews with local Aboriginal people.
   

2.      The Built Environment Plan

The Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan (Stage One) is a component of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan, along with the Human Services Plan and the Employment and Enterprise Plan.

The Built Environment Plan (Stage One) encourages an employment and investment based revitalisation of the area by providing a planning framework for the following Redfern-Waterloo sites as identified in State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005:

• Australian Technology Park
• North Eveleigh
• South Eveleigh Railyards
• Eveleigh Street Precinct (including the Block)
• Redfern Railway Station/ Gibbons Street/Regent Street Precinct
• Former Rachel Forster Hospital
• Former local Court House and Redfern Police Station
• Former Redfern Public School
  

Most of these sites, which total around 35 hectares, are State Government owned and are located near the Redfern Railway Station and Redfern Town Centre.

The Built Environment Plan proposes a consistent set of controls relating to urban design, land use zoning and the carrying out of future development of Redfern-Waterloo sites. It also identifies strategies for associated transport and traffic management, heritage protection, open space and public domain improvements, infrastructure provision, pedestrian and cycle access and guidelines for the achievement of safe and sustainable communities.

The Plan will be complemented by more detailed guidelines contained within

Development Control Plans and/or Concept Plans to be determined following consultation with the community.

It is estimated that the Plan will generate about 400,000 m2 of employment generating land, which translates to around 18,000 jobs. About 2,000 new dwellings could also be developed.

A State Environmental Planning Policy will provide the statutory basis for the implementation of the environmental planning aspects of the Plan.

The key principle of the Plan involves the creation of a Town Centre with an economic and civic heart focussed around Redfern Railway Station and pedestrian and cycleway links to business hubs at the Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh, Redfern and Regent Streets.

Urban Design

Urban design analysis has provided the basis for height controls and shaped the desired future character of each site. The Plan proposes general urban design guidelines that are supplemented by design concepts for each site, outlined in Section 4 of the Plan.

Transport

• The transport strategy outlines key initiatives including:
• the redevelopment of Redfern Railway Station
• improved connections to bus services
• management of traffic from new development
• improved traffic operations on Regent and Gibbons Street
• improved connection between ATP and North Eveleigh
• encouraging safe and easy cycling.
  

Infrastructure

Consultation with major service providers has indicated that capacity of essential services may be augmented to meet the increase in demand.

A Contributions Plan for the provision of public facilities and amenities is on public exhibition.

3.  State Significant Sites 

The first stage of urban renewal will centre on a number of sites in Redfern Waterloo declared to be State Significant Developments under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005. These are identified on Map 16 of the SEPP.

State significant development is development that the Minister for Planning has determined is of state or regional significance, and will therefore require his/her consent.

For example, the Redfern-Waterloo Authority is investigating essential developments for an accessible, efficient railway station. A heritage Station with steep steps and no easy access for elderly or disabled people and parents with young children, Redfern Station is the eighth busiest Station in the NSW network - a role which will increase in activity as the population grows. Redevelopment will improve access to and the efficiency of RailCorp operations and include commercial activity.

These State Significant sites in the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area include the following:

1. North Eveleigh Precinct
2. South Eveleigh Precinct
3. Eveleigh Street Precinct
4. City West
5. Australian Technology Park (ATP)
6. Eveleigh Street Precinct
7. Redfern Railway Station
8. Gibbons - Regent Street Precinct
9. Redfern Public School
10. Redfern Police Station / Court House
11. Rachel Forster Hospital
    

The Minister for Planning is the consent authority for development on all State significant sites in Redfern-Waterloo.  The Minister for Planning has delegated certain consent authority functions under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) including planning assessments and a minor determination role to officers of the Authority.

The consent authority functions that have been delegated to certain officers include:

• Assessment under Part 4 of the EPA&A and determination as a consent authority of developments as listed in Schedule 3 – Types of Development in the Instrument of Delegation executed by the Minister of Planning.
• The assessment and determination of all applications under Section 96 of the EP&A Act to modify a development consent where consent was issued either under the delegation or by the Minister of Planning (under a previous delegation) where the consent relates to development on State significant sites in Redfern-Waterloo.

Certain functions have also been delegated by the Director General of the Department of Planning to officers of the Authority. These include:

• The administration and processing of applications under Part 4 of the EP&A Act
• The preparation, consultation, recommendation for the Minister and adoption of an urban development plan or master plan.

In most cases the City of Sydney Council is the consent authority for development and/or works on all other land not identified as State Significant within the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area. Development applications for these proposals are lodged, processed and assessed by the Council.

4.  Open Space

The Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan has been amended to identify proposed open space areas including public open space, private open space and civic spaces.

The area commonly referred to as “Marian Street Park”, bounded by Gibbons Street and Rosehill Street, will be zoned ‘Public Recreation’ and the proposed maximum height limit of 18 storeys has been removed from the BEP. It is also proposed that the open space be dedicated to the Council of the City of Sydney, subject to adequate funding being committed to upgrade the park.

Other indicative locations of future and existing publicly accessible open space areas with the RWA’s strategic sites include:

• A new civic space that will link the Town Centre and Redfern Railway Station and providing a focus for enterprise and activity.
• Areas within North Eveleigh comprising around 15% of the total site.
• Areas within the Australian Technology Park including tennis courts, playing fields and pedestrian/cycle walkways.
• The zoning of the playing fields on the former Redfern Public School, comprising around 4,500 square metres, will be changed from ‘Special Uses’ to ‘Private Recreation’. The Indigenous Land Corporation, which is purchasing the site, has indicated that managed public access to the playing fields will be supported.
• Land located at the Pitt Street frontage of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site, which is currently zoned ‘Special Uses – Hospital’.
  

5.  Public Housing

The Government will neither reduce the amount of public housing in Redfern- Waterloo nor disadvantage its current residents.

One of the key elements identified during community consultations in 2003 was the need to provide better housing options in the area. The renewal of public housing estates will be investigated. No decision has been made on their future. Public housing accounts for thirty-five percent of residents and fifty percent of the housing stock in the area.

The Government is looking at all the options for the long-term future of public housing in Redfern and Waterloo. There will be substantial consultation with tenants, local organisations and other government and non-government agencies before any plans for the area are pursued.

The RWA proposes to address the public housing issue in a detailed way in Stage 2 of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan.

All tenancies are secure.

There are no plans to redevelop any public housing at this time, with the exception of the proposed Elizabeth Street development which has been the subject of extensive community consultation.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority Bill 2004 provides that the Authority should provide and promote housing choice. Affordable housing levies will be obtained to assist the achievement of this.

6.  Human Services Plan

The findings of the 2004 Review of human services in Redfern Waterloo, called for better integration and coordination of both government and non government services in order to achieve improved outcomes for the local community.

To get these results, changes must be made to the way human services are being provided in the area. The Human Services Plan provides the framework, strategies and actions necessary to make this happen.

The NSW Government developed the Plan by working with the local community through cluster groups of representatives of Family and Children, Health, Aboriginal and Youth services.

This process involved residents, service providers, businesses, government and non-government organisations and identified the areas that they felt could be improved as well as discussing the best ways for services to work together to get results.

The feedback reports from each cluster group formed the basis of the draft Human Services Plan. This advice has been further strengthened and shaped by the Human Services Advisory Council, Chief Executive Officer Steering group, Senior Officers Working Group and the National Council of Social Service resulting in the draft Human Services Plan.

The public consultation phase provides another opportunity to provide further information that could influence the Plans direction and increase the effectiveness of the outcomes for the community.

The Plan is designed to reflect the hoped for potential of the Redfern Waterloo community and it focuses on the priority areas that require attention and support.

This includes concentrating on services for young people, children and families and Aboriginal people in the first stages of action. Services dealing with migrants, the aged, people with disabilities and homeless people will be addressed in early 2006 as Phase 2 of the Plan.

The Plan identifies the organisations that are essential to human service delivery and describes the type of actions needed to achieve the anticipated results.

The Plan already has the support and agreement from the government agencies involved in human services for Redfern Waterloo.

The contributions and support that will be required from the non government human service providers in order to achieve improved outcomes for our community are incorporated in the strategies and actions contained in the Plan.

A working group of Senior Officers from the government agencies responsible for the strategies included in the Plan has been set up to ensure that outcomes are met. This group called ISOG, will meet on a regular basis to progress action and will be supported by the RWA’s Human Services Team and report to the CEO’s Steering Committee.

The Human Services Team and ISOG will also work together with the non-government organisations whose services support the priority areas being addressed through the Plan to make sure that outcomes are achieved.

Local, regional and state representatives from non-government service organisations will also be invited to make presentations to the CEO Steering Committee and ISOG as part of the active exchange of information that will assist in improving co-ordination and service delivery for the community.

A Ministerial Advisory Committee on Human Services has also been established and includes representatives from government, non-government, Aboriginal organisations and community members. This group will play a role in providing ideas and suggestions as the plan is being put into action.

The RWA has developed a comprehensive communication strategy to keep the community and service providers informed on the progress on the Plan. This will include information posted on the website, newsletters, presentations, briefings, emails and meetings.

Over 200 people provided their input in the development of the Plan. This provided large amounts of advice and many viewpoints and suggestions on how to improve human services in Redfern Waterloo.

Every recommendation that could be achieved through the Plan was considered, and where like issues had a connection or relationship they were grouped together with the best options to address the issue investigated.

The community’s ongoing involvement and participation in the Human Service Plan will be a key factor in achieving successful outcomes for Redfern Waterloo. Feedback is always welcome. The Redfern Waterloo Authority has developed a range of community engagement strategies to provide opportunities for the community to comment throughout the life of the Plan.

7.  Emploment and Enterprise Plan

The RWA’s Employment and Enterprise Plan aims to directly challenge the area’s social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, educational and life opportunities and a higher standard of living.

The RWA sees wealth creation as an antidote to welfare dependency. The path to wealth creation through well-paid employment is education – whether this be education at university or through vocational education.

The statistics demonstrating the area’s current social and economic disadvantage are revealing.

40% of housing in Redfern-Waterloo is public housing (23% in Redfern and 73% in Waterloo). 38% of households have a weekly income of less than $400, with 16% being less than $200.

Almost one third (27.9%) of the population in Redfern-Waterloo is receiving income support in the form of Disability Support Pension, Newstart Allowance, Single Parenting Payment or Age Pension.

Details of people living in Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh or Darlington that are receiving income support at September 2005 are as follows:

• Age Pension - approximately 2,908
• Disability Support Pension - 2,023
• NewStart Allowance – 1,237
• NewStart Mature Aged Allowance - 46
• Single Parents Payment – 550
• Partnered Parenting Payment - 83
• Youth Allowance (not studying) – 89
• Youth Allowance (full time study) – 503
• CDEP Payment – 45    (source: Centrelink Data)
  

The RWA has developed several major strategies that we will progressively implement over the next ten years commencing in 2006.

The Built Environment Plan projections estimate that up to 18,000 jobs can be created in future years through commercial development on the nine sites currently designated as State Significant by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority. Final projections will be in the final Built Environment Plan.

It should be noted that about 600 jobs alone will be created at the Australian Technology Park by 2007 with the RWA’s decision to borrow up to $47.5 million from NSW Treasury to commence construction in early 2006 of a new building to house National ICT Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation. A number of other significant building projects at the ATP are currently under contemplation by the RWA, demonstrating the huge employment generating potential of this site alone.

However, the Redfern Waterloo area has not achieved its full economic and employment potential despite its strategic location as the southern gateway to the City, its public transport accessibility, its strategic position in the heart of the airport CBD corridor and its proximity to some of the largest tertiary campuses in the nation. The area provides a unique opportunity to achieve the highly sought after outcome of being able to live and work in one’s local community.

The RWA will investigate the benefits to the area of having Redfern-Waterloo designated an enterprise zone for up to a 10 year period, which could involve the offering of targeted payroll tax concessions to new or expanding small and medium sized businesses in the area, especially when linked with an employment and training strategy.

The RWA has identified several major strategies that will support the development of employment and enterprise opportunities for both local residents as well as the broader metropolitan community. These opportunities are located in walking distance to Sydney’s second most accessible railway station, thereby ensuring high levels of public transport patronage and limiting vehicle impacts on the local community.

The major strategies are focused on the following aspects:

1. Revitalising Redfern retail precinct

2. Increasing business development land

3. Capitalising on Research/Innovation Zone

4. Strengthening partnerships with local employers

5. Improving education and training opportunities for local residents

6. Developing industry based employment strategies

7. Targeting employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and youth

8. Supporting local business

The RWA’s employment and enterprise development strategy is a critical component of the overall Redfern-Waterloo Plan, along with the Human Services and the Built Environment Plans. The strategy has been developed to ensure that the employment opportunities being created in the area both current and future are available to the local communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington and Eveleigh.

The Employment and Enterprise Plan seeks to provide opportunities for wealth creation for the local community, through empowering those people that can work to create their own wealth through meaningful employment or enterprise development.

The Employment and Enterprise strategy will be focused initially on:

• Increasing supply of employment opportunities, particularly through increasing potential for commercial and residential development.
• Capitalising on the research/Biomedical Innovation Zone.
• Improving education and training including a dedicated vocational training centre, to provide people with the opportunities to gain access to well paid work.
• Strengthening partnerships with local employers.
• Industry based employment strategies.
• Employment and enterprise strategies for Aboriginal people and youth.
• Supporting local business

Whilst the plan is ambitious, the Authority has already in place significant education and employment strategies for the construction and hospitality industries with particular emphasis on opportunities for Aboriginal people (see below for more information on these strategies).

The plan draws on earlier work with the Authority’s partners from industry groups, group employment companies, job network providers, local schools and universities, employment services, vocational training providers and enterprise development agencies.

The overwhelming response to the Employment and Enterprise Plan has been positive and significant new partnerships with industry are currently being developed in those industries identified as having skill shortages, in order to maximise the job opportunities in these industries for locals.

How the Plan was developed

In October 2005 the RWA developed an initial Discussion Paper on Employment and Enterprise. The paper was distributed to the RWA Board and the Employment and Enterprise Ministerial Advisory Committee. The Ministerial Advisory Committee is made up of community and government representatives with an expertise in employment. Following feedback from these groups, a draft Employment and Enterprise Plan was developed.

Community Consultation on Draft Plan

The RWA has sought to identify those people in the community that are interested in employment and enterprise. We have done this through the RWA’s website registration, mailing list registration and individuals who have contacted the Authority to register their interest.

The Draft Plan was put on public exhibition for community consultation from December 12 2005 to February 28 2006. The Draft Plan was posted to people who had expressed an interest in employment and enterprise, community members, local NGO’s and Government agencies.

The Authority’s staff met with numerous individuals, community and industry organisations to discuss the Draft Plan and seek their feedback over the 2 month consultation period.

The Plan was also placed on the Redfern-Waterloo Authority website and was advertised through the January Redfern-Waterloo Update, the RWA’s regular community newsletter which is distributed to approximately 15,000 residences in the area. In addition, interested community members called the RWA offices and had the Draft Plan posted to them.

Eighteen submissions were received, with three being received after submissions had closed. The submissions received included five from NGO’s; four from residents; five from government departments and four from elected members of parliament or council.

The majority of respondents were supportive of the plan but wanted particular issues highlighted or strengthened in the final plan as follows:

• Supply of childcare provision;
• Employment & education opportunities for mature age people;
• Support for small business and enterprise development;
• Coordination with local service providers;
• Mismatch between future job opportunities and the capability of the local community;
• Ensure the employment meets the needs of residents, and is meaningful employment;
• Acknowledge that a concentration of people in the Redfern-Waterloo area are not able to work as they are well past working age, are ill or have high level of disabilities or other health issues; and
• Addressing the specific employment needs of culturally and linguistically diverse residents (CALD) and disabled residents.

In response to the consultation feedback, the Draft Plan was enhanced to include:

• More detailed information on the profile of local people on income support, including the finding that 62.5% of people on income support are receiving aged or disability support pensions.
• Highlighting the large concentration of people in the area who are unable to participate in the labour market due to age or ill health.
• Clarification that the Authority’s Plan is based on the creation of meaningful work, and ensuring improvement to education and training to provide access to this work.
• Strengthening the skills audit to capture information on individual’s career preferences.
• Clarification that the Plan adequately addresses the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, sole parents and people with a disability.
• Investigating the benefits of having the Redfern-Waterloo area designated as an enterprise zone to offer targeted payroll tax concessions to new or expanding small businesses when linked to a company’s employment and training strategy.
• The recommendation from the Human Services Plan to increase local, culturally appropriate and affordable childcare by 100 positions for children living in Redfern-Waterloo.
• Strengthening the vocational training needs of mature aged people in the community.
• Strengthening the details on the Authority’s training centre at North Eveleigh.
• Highlighting the benefits of the community’s involvement in local markets, including the potential for cultural industries development.
• Providing more detail on the cultural awareness program to support local businesses and strengthen the relationship between local residents and employers, including ongoing training and mentoring.

The final plan was approved by the Minister for Redfern-Waterloo on 19 May 2006.

Culture Of Work Project

A project is currently underway that is investigating strategies to motivate people in the Redfern-Waterloo area who are able to work but for various reasons are not in the labour force.

This project is working with the local community to gain an understanding of the factors that impact on how a community develops a culture of work and will focus on identifying current programs and initiatives that work, and developing strategies for the RWA and its partners to implement.

Improving Education And Training Opportunities For Local Residents

The vocational training centre at North Eveleigh is currently being refurbished. The RWA has committed $700,000 in 2005-2007 for capital works, fit out and start-up costs to establish the centre. Once completed, the centre will offer on-site accredited training in the construction, hospitality, transport and information technology industries.

The RWA is developing a partnership with schools in the local area to strengthen education outcomes as well as provide vocational education opportunities and link with the training centre at North Eveleigh and job opportunities being created in the area.

In order for industrial vocational courses to be taught at Alexandria Park Community School, the RWA purchased $5,000 worth of tools and equipment for use by local school children.

The RWA has commenced the Young Achievers Australia program currently being delivered for Aboriginal youth from Alexandria Park Community School, Eora College and local youth.

A Young Achievers Australia program will also be run for young mothers in the area. This program will show the young people how they can create job opportunities for themselves and others to enable them to contribute to the economic development of their community.

Three scholarships have been provided to local young people to take part in the PartyCp8 movie-making course, where they will make a feature movie and will learn all aspects of the movie making industry. These scholarships have been awarded to young people who will act as mentors and take up leadership roles in the local community.

Industry Based Employment Strategies

The first industries that the Redfern-Waterloo Authority is focussing on to create job

opportunities for locals are the construction and hospitality industries. At a later stage, the RWA will look at employment strategies for the following industries:

• retail;
• transport;
• commercial cleaning;
• information technology;
• services;
• cultural.

Employment in the Construction Industry

The RWA and the Construction Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) have signed a 10-year Jobs Compact agreement to work together with employers to create real jobs and training for unemployed Aboriginal people.

The Minister for Redfern-Waterloo and the CFMEU officially launched the Jobs Compact on 12 May 2005 at North Eveleigh.

The deal requires all contracts for construction on State-owned land in Redfern-Waterloo to include tougher provision and support aimed at increasing on-site work and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The RWA has developed an Indigenous employment model for use in the construction industry that expands on the Jobs Compact with the CFMEU.

The model delivers a streamlined recruitment, training and employment path for head contractors, coordinating:

• Recruitment;
• Training;
• Apprenticeships;
• Group employment; and
• Mentoring.

The RWA has developed partnerships with the agencies involved in delivering services to the employment model. The partners are:

• TAFE NSW;
• CFMEU;
• New Apprenticeship Centres- Macarthur and BWAC;
• Macarthur Group Employment and Training;
• Job Network Providers;
• AES
• Marrickville Training Organisation

On the construction projects currently operating, the RWA has negotiated 19 jobs for Aboriginal people at the Contemporary Performing Arts Centre site at North Eveleigh, 26 jobs for Aboriginal people at the Building D site at the Australian Technology Park and 60 jobs at the Channel 7 development at the Australian Technology Park.

These numbers will increase as more projects come online at the Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh and the Redfern Station precinct redevelopment.

The trades that these positions/apprenticeships/traineeships are in include:

• Electrical;
• Construction carpentry;
• Plumbing;
• Boiler making;
• Scaffolding;
• Painting;
• Brick laying;
• Fire sprinkler fitting;
• Sheet metal works;
• Labouring; and
• Landscaping.

Aboriginal Businesses in the Construction Industry

Part of the conditions for contractors on Government-owned land includes the contractor having to invite Aboriginal businesses in the construction industry to tender for works.

Employment in the Hospitality Industry – Yaama Dhinawan College

The hospitality section of the training Centre at North Eveleigh will be unique in that it will specialise in Australian Indigenous food and culture.

Yaama Dhinawan will operate a hospitality enterprise, which will offer a unique cross-cultural educational experience that focuses on providing hospitality training with an emphasis on practical work in the Yaama Dhinawan café.

Leading Sydney restaurateurs Raymond and Jennice Kersh (formerly of Edna’s Table) and the Aboriginal elder and caterer Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo have formed a partnership with RWA to set up a world-class cross-cultural training and employment program in Indigenous Australian cuisine.

This training is open to all unemployed people who want a career in the hospitality industry.

Aboriginal Business Service

Any Aboriginal person who has an idea for a business and would like to know where to start, or who has an existing business and requires further assistance, can access the Aboriginal business service.

This is a FREE, ONE-ON-ONE & CONFIDENTIAL service with an experienced and qualified business professional that can help on a range of business issues including:

• Business Planning
• Understanding regulations
• Financing
• Management skills
• Marketing and market research
• Mentor support

The facilitator works out of the RWA office in Redfern. Call 9202-9100 to book in a time to meet with the business facilitator.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is offering this service in Redfern in partnership with the Department of State and Regional Development.

Local Business Needs Survey

As part of the RWA’s on-going commitment to improving business and employment opportunities in the Redfern-Waterloo area, the RWA is conducting an Employment Opportunities - Business Needs survey of businesses. The RWA wants to work with you to help your business grow in the local area and we are looking for information from you on what your business needs to expand.

An important step in this process is gathering information from local business people about staffing needs and any unmet training requirement.

March 2007

 Executive Summary

The NSW Government established the Redfern Waterloo Authority in 2004 to revitalize the Redfern-Waterloo area.

Achievements of the RWA in the last three years include:

New jobs and investment to Redfern-Waterloo:  The NSW Government, through the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, has made real progress in creating new jobs and opportunities for the local area and turning around social disadvantage.

We have seen a significant boost in the new jobs and investment flowing into the Redfern-Waterloo area, which is a direct attribute to the hard work of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority.

Our clear plan has seen the RWA generate almost $300 million in new investment for the area, including more than $76 million directly committed by the Authority itself:

$123 million to be invested by Sydney Broadcast Property to build a new state-of-the-art media centre at the Australian Technology Park or ATP, starting in April 2007.

The development is expected to generate more than 600 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs. Will include 60 construction jobs for Indigenous workers, under Jobs Compact signed by the CFMEU and Redfern-Waterloo Authority on 15 May 2005.

$47.5 million being invested by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority in a new research building at the ATP:  Six-storey building that will house National Information and Communications Technology Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation. Estimated Six hundred permanent jobs and during construction 26 jobs for local Indigenous people and new apprentices. The building will be completed about August this year.

$40 million invested in a new Contemporary Arts Centre at North Eveleigh:  The project saw heritage buildings at North Eveleigh converted into this contemporary performing arts space in conjunction with the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and RailCorp. The Contemporary Performing Arts Centre opened in January 2007 in conjunction with the Sydney Festival. Delivered 21 construction jobs for Indigenous people.

$35 million investment by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) to purchase the former Redfern Public School and redevelop it into a new National Indigenous Development Centre. The new Centre will help young people achieve their full potential through mentoring, training and learning initiatives. Expected to help up to 5000 young people each year when fully operational.  Existing Murawina Child Care Centre and four school buildings will be refurbished.

$35.25 million delivered by an Affordable Housing Contribution Plan over the next 10 years, delivering about 75 affordable housing dwellings in the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area – plus another $23 million for affordable housing under the agreement negotiated between the RWA and Carlton and United Breweries over the future development of its Chippendale site.

$16 million to be invested by the RWA for Aboriginal affordable housing:  The RWA has committed to facilitating the provision of new dwellings over the next 10 years to provide affordable housing for Aboriginal residents of Redfern-Waterloo. These dwellings are proposed to be in addition to any housing currently owned or proposed to be privately developed by the Aboriginal Housing Company on AHC land on and around the Block in Redfern.

The RWA Contributions Plan will deliver about $36.7 million in developer contributions for public domain and other public works as a result of future development in the area under the RWA’s Built Environment Plan.

$10 million in transforming the former Redfern Courthouse and Police Station into a new community health facility:  This new facility will become a ‘one-stop-shop’ for health service, designed in response to community feedback. The plan is to provide health assessments, early childhood and family support services, counselling, perinatal and family drug health services, mental health services, welfare support, sexual health services and more.

$6 million from the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to fund a new pedestrian/cycle link between North Eveleigh and the Technology Park

$6.5 million in new roads and infrastructure for the Technology Park.

$4.2 million invested by NSW Police in March 2005 to establish a new police station at the former TNT Tower.

Three-quarters of a million dollars to develop a new training centre at North Eveleigh, including the Yaama Dhinawan Indigenous hospitality training enterprise. 

145 jobs have been created for local indigenous people during the urban renewal process in Redfern Waterloo.

1.  Role of the RWA and Community Consultation

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 establishes and sets out the RWA’s principle functions, taking into consideration social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development, public areas, Aboriginal community needs, social cohesion and community safety.

The RWA’s tasks include:

• Generating jobs for the people of the area,
• Improving delivery of services to the community
• Promoting urban renewal that respects and strengthens the rich heritage that makes this community unique in Sydney.

Current activities of the RWA include:

• Development of job creation schemes for local unemployed, with a particular emphasis on the Indigenous community;
• Developing a Human Services Plan that will improve the delivery of social services to the community;
• Encouraging new anchor tenants and investors to build and bring jobs to the Australian Technology Park;
• Facilitating urban renewal and heritage restoration opportunities at North Eveleigh and other surplus government lands;
• Working on plans to enhance access to and refurbish Redfern Railway Station;
• Seeking a sustainable solution for the Block and its environs;
• Working with the RTA on improving traffic management/pedestrian safety/retail amenity on Regent and other major streets;
• Implementing a community consultation strategy that will include regular newsletters to residents providing news of latest events and activities, setting up an interactive website, quarterly community forums and smaller community meetings on specific issues.

The Redfern-Waterloo Plan is being developed in stages by the RWA with priority being given to economic revitalisation, human services and job creation.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is committed to the NSW Government’s priority of improving the quality of life in Redfern-Waterloo through the involvement of people who live in the community. We will implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy to ensure the best outcomes for all people who live in the Redfern-Waterloo area.

The community consultation framework includes:

• Three Ministerial Advisory Committees on Built Environment, Employment & Enterprise, Human Services;
• Public meetings notified to residents;
• Resident & business focus groups;
• Internet based feedback mechanism;
• Regular post feedback mechanism;
• Working groups of officers as required;
  

All residents can be involved.

Community representatives have been appointed to the three advisory committees. The Committees also contain Government agency representatives.

1.  Built Environment – considering urban design, traffic, public access, public transport, land use, affordable housing and urban renewal.  Community Members: M/s Jocelyn Jackson, Mr Alex Kibble, Mr Richard Pembroke, Mr Shane Phillips, Mr Jonathan Rez, Mr Steve Tamas, Mr Geoffrey Turnbull, M/s Ann Weldon

2.  Employment and Enterprise – considering strategies to increase job and business opportunities in the area, including the Indigenous community.  Community Members:  M/s Megan Gardiner, M/s Margaret Hobbs, Mr Anthony John Larkings, M/s Bronwyn Penrith, Mr Dennis Weatherall, Mr Michael Dalah

3.  Human Services – considering human services and health issues affecting Redfern-Waterloo.  Community Members: M/s Jill Edwards, Mr Howard Glenn, Mr Dominic (Dom) Grenot, Mr Paul Knight, M/s Shirley Lomas, Ms Lynette Stewart, Ms Mabel Chang

Human Services Meetings

Four service cluster groups met to address the first stage of the Human Services Plan. The cluster groups comprised of people responsible for providing services in Redfern-Waterloo.

The workshops each focused on one of the following areas: Health Services, Youth Services, Services for Families and Children, Services for Aboriginal People.   

Community Consultation on the Draft Built Environment Plan and Draft State Environmental Planning Policy

The RWA undertook a comprehensive communication strategy to seek community and stakeholder input on the draft Plan.

This included advertising, information posted on the website, newsletters, information and feedback sessions, a community forum, presentations, briefings and residents meetings.

Key measures included:

1. Public exhibition of the Draft BEP and Draft SEPP for two months to April 14 2006.
2. 15,000 newsletters delivered to all residential dwellings within the RWA operational area advising of the draft BEP and SEPP and consultative arrangements.
3. 2,000 draft Plans distributed to stakeholders, key organisations and interest groups as well as members of the community.
4. A public meeting held March 4 2006 at Redfern Town Hall.
5. Daily Information/Feedback Sessions from 27 February to 10 March at the RWA offices, with additional information sessions held at the community’s request.
6. Special residents’ meetings, stakeholder briefings and interviews with local Aboriginal people.
   

2.      The Built Environment Plan

The Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan (Stage One) is a component of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan, along with the Human Services Plan and the Employment and Enterprise Plan.

The Built Environment Plan (Stage One) encourages an employment and investment based revitalisation of the area by providing a planning framework for the following Redfern-Waterloo sites as identified in State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005:

• Australian Technology Park
• North Eveleigh
• South Eveleigh Railyards
• Eveleigh Street Precinct (including the Block)
• Redfern Railway Station/ Gibbons Street/Regent Street Precinct
• Former Rachel Forster Hospital
• Former local Court House and Redfern Police Station
• Former Redfern Public School
  

Most of these sites, which total around 35 hectares, are State Government owned and are located near the Redfern Railway Station and Redfern Town Centre.

The Built Environment Plan proposes a consistent set of controls relating to urban design, land use zoning and the carrying out of future development of Redfern-Waterloo sites. It also identifies strategies for associated transport and traffic management, heritage protection, open space and public domain improvements, infrastructure provision, pedestrian and cycle access and guidelines for the achievement of safe and sustainable communities.

The Plan will be complemented by more detailed guidelines contained within

Development Control Plans and/or Concept Plans to be determined following consultation with the community.

It is estimated that the Plan will generate about 400,000 m2 of employment generating land, which translates to around 18,000 jobs. About 2,000 new dwellings could also be developed.

A State Environmental Planning Policy will provide the statutory basis for the implementation of the environmental planning aspects of the Plan.

The key principle of the Plan involves the creation of a Town Centre with an economic and civic heart focussed around Redfern Railway Station and pedestrian and cycleway links to business hubs at the Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh, Redfern and Regent Streets.

Urban Design

Urban design analysis has provided the basis for height controls and shaped the desired future character of each site. The Plan proposes general urban design guidelines that are supplemented by design concepts for each site, outlined in Section 4 of the Plan.

Transport

• The transport strategy outlines key initiatives including:
• the redevelopment of Redfern Railway Station
• improved connections to bus services
• management of traffic from new development
• improved traffic operations on Regent and Gibbons Street
• improved connection between ATP and North Eveleigh
• encouraging safe and easy cycling.
  

Infrastructure

Consultation with major service providers has indicated that capacity of essential services may be augmented to meet the increase in demand.

A Contributions Plan for the provision of public facilities and amenities is on public exhibition.

3.  State Significant Sites 

The first stage of urban renewal will centre on a number of sites in Redfern Waterloo declared to be State Significant Developments under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005. These are identified on Map 16 of the SEPP.

State significant development is development that the Minister for Planning has determined is of state or regional significance, and will therefore require his/her consent.

For example, the Redfern-Waterloo Authority is investigating essential developments for an accessible, efficient railway station. A heritage Station with steep steps and no easy access for elderly or disabled people and parents with young children, Redfern Station is the eighth busiest Station in the NSW network - a role which will increase in activity as the population grows. Redevelopment will improve access to and the efficiency of RailCorp operations and include commercial activity.

These State Significant sites in the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area include the following:

1. North Eveleigh Precinct
2. South Eveleigh Precinct
3. Eveleigh Street Precinct
4. City West
5. Australian Technology Park (ATP)
6. Eveleigh Street Precinct
7. Redfern Railway Station
8. Gibbons - Regent Street Precinct
9. Redfern Public School
10. Redfern Police Station / Court House
11. Rachel Forster Hospital
    

The Minister for Planning is the consent authority for development on all State significant sites in Redfern-Waterloo.  The Minister for Planning has delegated certain consent authority functions under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) including planning assessments and a minor determination role to officers of the Authority.

The consent authority functions that have been delegated to certain officers include:

• Assessment under Part 4 of the EPA&A and determination as a consent authority of developments as listed in Schedule 3 – Types of Development in the Instrument of Delegation executed by the Minister of Planning.
• The assessment and determination of all applications under Section 96 of the EP&A Act to modify a development consent where consent was issued either under the delegation or by the Minister of Planning (under a previous delegation) where the consent relates to development on State significant sites in Redfern-Waterloo.

Certain functions have also been delegated by the Director General of the Department of Planning to officers of the Authority. These include:

• The administration and processing of applications under Part 4 of the EP&A Act
• The preparation, consultation, recommendation for the Minister and adoption of an urban development plan or master plan.

In most cases the City of Sydney Council is the consent authority for development and/or works on all other land not identified as State Significant within the Redfern-Waterloo Authority operational area. Development applications for these proposals are lodged, processed and assessed by the Council.

4.  Open Space

The Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan has been amended to identify proposed open space areas including public open space, private open space and civic spaces.

The area commonly referred to as “Marian Street Park”, bounded by Gibbons Street and Rosehill Street, will be zoned ‘Public Recreation’ and the proposed maximum height limit of 18 storeys has been removed from the BEP. It is also proposed that the open space be dedicated to the Council of the City of Sydney, subject to adequate funding being committed to upgrade the park.

Other indicative locations of future and existing publicly accessible open space areas with the RWA’s strategic sites include:

• A new civic space that will link the Town Centre and Redfern Railway Station and providing a focus for enterprise and activity.
• Areas within North Eveleigh comprising around 15% of the total site.
• Areas within the Australian Technology Park including tennis courts, playing fields and pedestrian/cycle walkways.
• The zoning of the playing fields on the former Redfern Public School, comprising around 4,500 square metres, will be changed from ‘Special Uses’ to ‘Private Recreation’. The Indigenous Land Corporation, which is purchasing the site, has indicated that managed public access to the playing fields will be supported.
• Land located at the Pitt Street frontage of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site, which is currently zoned ‘Special Uses – Hospital’.
  

5.  Public Housing

The Government will neither reduce the amount of public housing in Redfern- Waterloo nor disadvantage its current residents.

One of the key elements identified during community consultations in 2003 was the need to provide better housing options in the area. The renewal of public housing estates will be investigated. No decision has been made on their future. Public housing accounts for thirty-five percent of residents and fifty percent of the housing stock in the area.

The Government is looking at all the options for the long-term future of public housing in Redfern and Waterloo. There will be substantial consultation with tenants, local organisations and other government and non-government agencies before any plans for the area are pursued.

The RWA proposes to address the public housing issue in a detailed way in Stage 2 of the Redfern-Waterloo Plan.

All tenancies are secure.

There are no plans to redevelop any public housing at this time, with the exception of the proposed Elizabeth Street development which has been the subject of extensive community consultation.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority Bill 2004 provides that the Authority should provide and promote housing choice. Affordable housing levies will be obtained to assist the achievement of this.

6.  Human Services Plan

The findings of the 2004 Review of human services in Redfern Waterloo, called for better integration and coordination of both government and non government services in order to achieve improved outcomes for the local community.

To get these results, changes must be made to the way human services are being provided in the area. The Human Services Plan provides the framework, strategies and actions necessary to make this happen.

The NSW Government developed the Plan by working with the local community through cluster groups of representatives of Family and Children, Health, Aboriginal and Youth services.

This process involved residents, service providers, businesses, government and non-government organisations and identified the areas that they felt could be improved as well as discussing the best ways for services to work together to get results.

The feedback reports from each cluster group formed the basis of the draft Human Services Plan. This advice has been further strengthened and shaped by the Human Services Advisory Council, Chief Executive Officer Steering group, Senior Officers Working Group and the National Council of Social Service resulting in the draft Human Services Plan.

The public consultation phase provides another opportunity to provide further information that could influence the Plans direction and increase the effectiveness of the outcomes for the community.

The Plan is designed to reflect the hoped for potential of the Redfern Waterloo community and it focuses on the priority areas that require attention and support.

This includes concentrating on services for young people, children and families and Aboriginal people in the first stages of action. Services dealing with migrants, the aged, people with disabilities and homeless people will be addressed in early 2006 as Phase 2 of the Plan.

The Plan identifies the organisations that are essential to human service delivery and describes the type of actions needed to achieve the anticipated results.

The Plan already has the support and agreement from the government agencies involved in human services for Redfern Waterloo.

The contributions and support that will be required from the non government human service providers in order to achieve improved outcomes for our community are incorporated in the strategies and actions contained in the Plan.

A working group of Senior Officers from the government agencies responsible for the strategies included in the Plan has been set up to ensure that outcomes are met. This group called ISOG, will meet on a regular basis to progress action and will be supported by the RWA’s Human Services Team and report to the CEO’s Steering Committee.

The Human Services Team and ISOG will also work together with the non-government organisations whose services support the priority areas being addressed through the Plan to make sure that outcomes are achieved.

Local, regional and state representatives from non-government service organisations will also be invited to make presentations to the CEO Steering Committee and ISOG as part of the active exchange of information that will assist in improving co-ordination and service delivery for the community.

A Ministerial Advisory Committee on Human Services has also been established and includes representatives from government, non-government, Aboriginal organisations and community members. This group will play a role in providing ideas and suggestions as the plan is being put into action.

The RWA has developed a comprehensive communication strategy to keep the community and service providers informed on the progress on the Plan. This will include information posted on the website, newsletters, presentations, briefings, emails and meetings.

Over 200 people provided their input in the development of the Plan. This provided large amounts of advice and many viewpoints and suggestions on how to improve human services in Redfern Waterloo.

Every recommendation that could be achieved through the Plan was considered, and where like issues had a connection or relationship they were grouped together with the best options to address the issue investigated.

The community’s ongoing involvement and participation in the Human Service Plan will be a key factor in achieving successful outcomes for Redfern Waterloo. Feedback is always welcome. The Redfern Waterloo Authority has developed a range of community engagement strategies to provide opportunities for the community to comment throughout the life of the Plan.

7.  Emploment and Enterprise Plan

The RWA’s Employment and Enterprise Plan aims to directly challenge the area’s social and economic disadvantage by fostering jobs, educational and life opportunities and a higher standard of living.

The RWA sees wealth creation as an antidote to welfare dependency. The path to wealth creation through well-paid employment is education – whether this be education at university or through vocational education.

The statistics demonstrating the area’s current social and economic disadvantage are revealing.

40% of housing in Redfern-Waterloo is public housing (23% in Redfern and 73% in Waterloo). 38% of households have a weekly income of less than $400, with 16% being less than $200.

Almost one third (27.9%) of the population in Redfern-Waterloo is receiving income support in the form of Disability Support Pension, Newstart Allowance, Single Parenting Payment or Age Pension.

Details of people living in Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh or Darlington that are receiving income support at September 2005 are as follows:

• Age Pension - approximately 2,908
• Disability Support Pension - 2,023
• NewStart Allowance – 1,237
• NewStart Mature Aged Allowance - 46
• Single Parents Payment – 550
• Partnered Parenting Payment - 83
• Youth Allowance (not studying) – 89
• Youth Allowance (full time study) – 503
• CDEP Payment – 45    (source: Centrelink Data)
  

The RWA has developed several major strategies that we will progressively implement over the next ten years commencing in 2006.

The Built Environment Plan projections estimate that up to 18,000 jobs can be created in future years through commercial development on the nine sites currently designated as State Significant by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority. Final projections will be in the final Built Environment Plan.

It should be noted that about 600 jobs alone will be created at the Australian Technology Park by 2007 with the RWA’s decision to borrow up to $47.5 million from NSW Treasury to commence construction in early 2006 of a new building to house National ICT Australia and the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation. A number of other significant building projects at the ATP are currently under contemplation by the RWA, demonstrating the huge employment generating potential of this site alone.

However, the Redfern Waterloo area has not achieved its full economic and employment potential despite its strategic location as the southern gateway to the City, its public transport accessibility, its strategic position in the heart of the airport CBD corridor and its proximity to some of the largest tertiary campuses in the nation. The area provides a unique opportunity to achieve the highly sought after outcome of being able to live and work in one’s local community.

The RWA will investigate the benefits to the area of having Redfern-Waterloo designated an enterprise zone for up to a 10 year period, which could involve the offering of targeted payroll tax concessions to new or expanding small and medium sized businesses in the area, especially when linked with an employment and training strategy.

The RWA has identified several major strategies that will support the development of employment and enterprise opportunities for both local residents as well as the broader metropolitan community. These opportunities are located in walking distance to Sydney’s second most accessible railway station, thereby ensuring high levels of public transport patronage and limiting vehicle impacts on the local community.

The major strategies are focused on the following aspects:

1. Revitalising Redfern retail precinct

2. Increasing business development land

3. Capitalising on Research/Innovation Zone

4. Strengthening partnerships with local employers

5. Improving education and training opportunities for local residents

6. Developing industry based employment strategies

7. Targeting employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and youth

8. Supporting local business

The RWA’s employment and enterprise development strategy is a critical component of the overall Redfern-Waterloo Plan, along with the Human Services and the Built Environment Plans. The strategy has been developed to ensure that the employment opportunities being created in the area both current and future are available to the local communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington and Eveleigh.

The Employment and Enterprise Plan seeks to provide opportunities for wealth creation for the local community, through empowering those people that can work to create their own wealth through meaningful employment or enterprise development.

The Employment and Enterprise strategy will be focused initially on:

• Increasing supply of employment opportunities, particularly through increasing potential for commercial and residential development.
• Capitalising on the research/Biomedical Innovation Zone.
• Improving education and training including a dedicated vocational training centre, to provide people with the opportunities to gain access to well paid work.
• Strengthening partnerships with local employers.
• Industry based employment strategies.
• Employment and enterprise strategies for Aboriginal people and youth.
• Supporting local business

Whilst the plan is ambitious, the Authority has already in place significant education and employment strategies for the construction and hospitality industries with particular emphasis on opportunities for Aboriginal people (see below for more information on these strategies).

The plan draws on earlier work with the Authority’s partners from industry groups, group employment companies, job network providers, local schools and universities, employment services, vocational training providers and enterprise development agencies.

The overwhelming response to the Employment and Enterprise Plan has been positive and significant new partnerships with industry are currently being developed in those industries identified as having skill shortages, in order to maximise the job opportunities in these industries for locals.

How the Plan was developed

In October 2005 the RWA developed an initial Discussion Paper on Employment and Enterprise. The paper was distributed to the RWA Board and the Employment and Enterprise Ministerial Advisory Committee. The Ministerial Advisory Committee is made up of community and government representatives with an expertise in employment. Following feedback from these groups, a draft Employment and Enterprise Plan was developed.

Community Consultation on Draft Plan

The RWA has sought to identify those people in the community that are interested in employment and enterprise. We have done this through the RWA’s website registration, mailing list registration and individuals who have contacted the Authority to register their interest.

The Draft Plan was put on public exhibition for community consultation from December 12 2005 to February 28 2006. The Draft Plan was posted to people who had expressed an interest in employment and enterprise, community members, local NGO’s and Government agencies.

The Authority’s staff met with numerous individuals, community and industry organisations to discuss the Draft Plan and seek their feedback over the 2 month consultation period.

The Plan was also placed on the Redfern-Waterloo Authority website and was advertised through the January Redfern-Waterloo Update, the RWA’s regular community newsletter which is distributed to approximately 15,000 residences in the area. In addition, interested community members called the RWA offices and had the Draft Plan posted to them.

Eighteen submissions were received, with three being received after submissions had closed. The submissions received included five from NGO’s; four from residents; five from government departments and four from elected members of parliament or council.

The majority of respondents were supportive of the plan but wanted particular issues highlighted or strengthened in the final plan as follows:

• Supply of childcare provision;
• Employment & education opportunities for mature age people;
• Support for small business and enterprise development;
• Coordination with local service providers;
• Mismatch between future job opportunities and the capability of the local community;
• Ensure the employment meets the needs of residents, and is meaningful employment;
• Acknowledge that a concentration of people in the Redfern-Waterloo area are not able to work as they are well past working age, are ill or have high level of disabilities or other health issues; and
• Addressing the specific employment needs of culturally and linguistically diverse residents (CALD) and disabled residents.

In response to the consultation feedback, the Draft Plan was enhanced to include:

• More detailed information on the profile of local people on income support, including the finding that 62.5% of people on income support are receiving aged or disability support pensions.
• Highlighting the large concentration of people in the area who are unable to participate in the labour market due to age or ill health.
• Clarification that the Authority’s Plan is based on the creation of meaningful work, and ensuring improvement to education and training to provide access to this work.
• Strengthening the skills audit to capture information on individual’s career preferences.
• Clarification that the Plan adequately addresses the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, sole parents and people with a disability.
• Investigating the benefits of having the Redfern-Waterloo area designated as an enterprise zone to offer targeted payroll tax concessions to new or expanding small businesses when linked to a company’s employment and training strategy.
• The recommendation from the Human Services Plan to increase local, culturally appropriate and affordable childcare by 100 positions for children living in Redfern-Waterloo.
• Strengthening the vocational training needs of mature aged people in the community.
• Strengthening the details on the Authority’s training centre at North Eveleigh.
• Highlighting the benefits of the community’s involvement in local markets, including the potential for cultural industries development.
• Providing more detail on the cultural awareness program to support local businesses and strengthen the relationship between local residents and employers, including ongoing training and mentoring.

The final plan was approved by the Minister for Redfern-Waterloo on 19 May 2006.

Culture Of Work Project

A project is currently underway that is investigating strategies to motivate people in the Redfern-Waterloo area who are able to work but for various reasons are not in the labour force.

This project is working with the local community to gain an understanding of the factors that impact on how a community develops a culture of work and will focus on identifying current programs and initiatives that work, and developing strategies for the RWA and its partners to implement.

Improving Education And Training Opportunities For Local Residents

The vocational training centre at North Eveleigh is currently being refurbished. The RWA has committed $700,000 in 2005-2007 for capital works, fit out and start-up costs to establish the centre. Once completed, the centre will offer on-site accredited training in the construction, hospitality, transport and information technology industries.

The RWA is developing a partnership with schools in the local area to strengthen education outcomes as well as provide vocational education opportunities and link with the training centre at North Eveleigh and job opportunities being created in the area.

In order for industrial vocational courses to be taught at Alexandria Park Community School, the RWA purchased $5,000 worth of tools and equipment for use by local school children.

The RWA has commenced the Young Achievers Australia program currently being delivered for Aboriginal youth from Alexandria Park Community School, Eora College and local youth.

A Young Achievers Australia program will also be run for young mothers in the area. This program will show the young people how they can create job opportunities for themselves and others to enable them to contribute to the economic development of their community.

Three scholarships have been provided to local young people to take part in the PartyCp8 movie-making course, where they will make a feature movie and will learn all aspects of the movie making industry. These scholarships have been awarded to young people who will act as mentors and take up leadership roles in the local community.

Industry Based Employment Strategies

The first industries that the Redfern-Waterloo Authority is focussing on to create job

opportunities for locals are the construction and hospitality industries. At a later stage, the RWA will look at employment strategies for the following industries:

• retail;
• transport;
• commercial cleaning;
• information technology;
• services;
• cultural.

Employment in the Construction Industry

The RWA and the Construction Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) have signed a 10-year Jobs Compact agreement to work together with employers to create real jobs and training for unemployed Aboriginal people.

The Minister for Redfern-Waterloo and the CFMEU officially launched the Jobs Compact on 12 May 2005 at North Eveleigh.

The deal requires all contracts for construction on State-owned land in Redfern-Waterloo to include tougher provision and support aimed at increasing on-site work and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The RWA has developed an Indigenous employment model for use in the construction industry that expands on the Jobs Compact with the CFMEU.

The model delivers a streamlined recruitment, training and employment path for head contractors, coordinating:

• Recruitment;
• Training;
• Apprenticeships;
• Group employment; and
• Mentoring.

The RWA has developed partnerships with the agencies involved in delivering services to the employment model. The partners are:

• TAFE NSW;
• CFMEU;
• New Apprenticeship Centres- Macarthur and BWAC;
• Macarthur Group Employment and Training;
• Job Network Providers;
• AES
• Marrickville Training Organisation

On the construction projects currently operating, the RWA has negotiated 19 jobs for Aboriginal people at the Contemporary Performing Arts Centre site at North Eveleigh, 26 jobs for Aboriginal people at the Building D site at the Australian Technology Park and 60 jobs at the Channel 7 development at the Australian Technology Park.

These numbers will increase as more projects come online at the Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh and the Redfern Station precinct redevelopment.

The trades that these positions/apprenticeships/traineeships are in include:

• Electrical;
• Construction carpentry;
• Plumbing;
• Boiler making;
• Scaffolding;
• Painting;
• Brick laying;
• Fire sprinkler fitting;
• Sheet metal works;
• Labouring; and
• Landscaping.

Aboriginal Businesses in the Construction Industry

Part of the conditions for contractors on Government-owned land includes the contractor having to invite Aboriginal businesses in the construction industry to tender for works.

Employment in the Hospitality Industry – Yaama Dhinawan College

The hospitality section of the training Centre at North Eveleigh will be unique in that it will specialise in Australian Indigenous food and culture.

Yaama Dhinawan will operate a hospitality enterprise, which will offer a unique cross-cultural educational experience that focuses on providing hospitality training with an emphasis on practical work in the Yaama Dhinawan café.

Leading Sydney restaurateurs Raymond and Jennice Kersh (formerly of Edna’s Table) and the Aboriginal elder and caterer Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo have formed a partnership with RWA to set up a world-class cross-cultural training and employment program in Indigenous Australian cuisine.

This training is open to all unemployed people who want a career in the hospitality industry.

Aboriginal Business Service

Any Aboriginal person who has an idea for a business and would like to know where to start, or who has an existing business and requires further assistance, can access the Aboriginal business service.

This is a FREE, ONE-ON-ONE & CONFIDENTIAL service with an experienced and qualified business professional that can help on a range of business issues including:

• Business Planning
• Understanding regulations
• Financing
• Management skills
• Marketing and market research
• Mentor support

The facilitator works out of the RWA office in Redfern. Call 9202-9100 to book in a time to meet with the business facilitator.

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority is offering this service in Redfern in partnership with the Department of State and Regional Development.

Local Business Needs Survey

As part of the RWA’s on-going commitment to improving business and employment opportunities in the Redfern-Waterloo area, the RWA is conducting an Employment Opportunities - Business Needs survey of businesses. The RWA wants to work with you to help your business grow in the local area and we are looking for information from you on what your business needs to expand.

An important step in this process is gathering information from local business people about staffing needs and any unmet training requirement.

The plan, revealed this week, involves selling government land, redeveloping public housing and attempting to attract jobs to the area.

The government will establish the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to guide the redevelopment, which it has been claimed will have the power to override Sydney City Council planning regulations.

Indigenous groups, coming together under the name Redfern Organisation of Aboriginal Unity, today labelled the plan a "land grab" and attacked the Carr government for failing to consult them.

The organisation warned there would be "determined and unified resistance" to any government attempt to forcibly acquire land at Redfern owned by the Aboriginal Housing Company.

But it stressed any protests would be peaceful.

Indigenous leaders have planned a rally on Monday at Waterloo Green, adjacent to two public housing towers slated for redevelopment.

"We're appalled that the government has refused to rule out the forcible acquisition of Aboriginal land," indigenous representative Shane Phillips said.

"If they were to try and take our land we'd do what any other reasonable people would do. We'd adopt the tactics of Gandhi and Martin Luther King to try and stop them."

Mr Phillips said Aboriginal people were not against the Redfern-Waterloo Authority or development.

"We want Redfern and Waterloo to become secure and prosperous, but Aboriginal people should be able to share in this, not be pushed out.

Redfern was the site of a race riot this year sparked by the death of Aboriginal teenager Thomas "TJ" Hickey.

The NSW government said it would not compulsorily acquire land or force out public housing tenants.

A spokeswoman for Redfern-Waterloo Minister Frank Sartor said there would be no reduction in public housing in the area.

"There's no intention to push out any indigenous residents or public housing tenants," she said.

"There's no intention to use compulsory acquisition powers to resume the Block, and that seems to be one of the main concerns (of Aboriginal groups)."

She said Redfern-Waterloo was an "unusual" area with "unique problems" and the government believed "something's got to be done down there".

Mr Sartor had not made up his mind about how the redevelopment would proceed and wanted to consult widely to come up with the best plan.

AAP

December 2, 2004 SMH - AAP

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Redfern-plan/Aborigines-plan-protest-over-Redfern-land-grab/2004/12/02/1101923258347.html

The Babana group, an Aboriginal men's organisation devoted to improving the lives and futures of Indigenous men, called upon its brothers in the community to come together and speak freely and honestly about their personal experiences and doubts in regards to health and health institutions.

The men’s health information day began with a peaceful cruise out to the island and a heartfelt welcome from the Babana group, Shane Phillips of the Tribal Warrior declaring, “This is our day to talk about things, our way”.

Aboriginal health levels lag far behind those of mainstream society and Aboriginal men have the lowest life expectancy and poorest health rates of all Australians.

“Increasing men's awareness of health issues is fundamental to improving Aboriginal men’s health,” Babana chairman Mark Spinks said. "However, it is also important for Aboriginal men to have a say about the way in which health messages are delivered."

The testimonies of the men present varied from person to person, with men from all age groups and walks of life participating in the discussions.

Despite this, sentiments of being “left out” and “not being taken seriously” were concurrent with most of the men present as services and solutions to Aboriginal men’s health issues continue to be developed by government “without sufficient input from consultation with aboriginal men”.

"Culturally appropriate men's groups, men's spaces and healing centres are an important part of the solution,” Mr Spinks told the group. “Aboriginal communities need to be supported and the men in those communities need to be empowered and given opportunities to develop their own practical solutions to the issues affecting them, their families and their community.”

Speakers (including league players David Peachey and Albert Torrens …) addressed important health risks and spoke at length about the need for men to have primary health screening checks including blood pressure and blood sugar tests on a regular basis. Stalls also provided information on a range of health issues including: dietrary health, general health and wellbeing, prostate and other cancers, drug and alcohol use, sexual health, relaxation and meditation.

Photo: Jack Carnegie - Three generations of Aboriginal men on the way to the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Expo

Announcing the decision today, Planning Minister Kristina Keneally said it was an important day for the local Redfern community, which has long been wracked by drugs, unemployment and poverty.

"It's a step forward to creating a modern and a vibrant and a sustainable community," she said.

The plan, named the Pemulwuy Project after a renowned Aboriginal warrior, includes a gym, an elders' cultural centre, 500 metres of public open space and 62 new apartments that Aboriginal people will be able to buy.

Aboriginal Housing Company chief executive Mick Mundine says the approval is a step towards reconciliation for Redfern's Aboriginal community.

"Man, she's been a hard road," he said.

"A lot of people said we couldn't do it. You've got to have faith, be humble and stick to your principles.

"Our people have struggled and suffered so long in this community. It's a brand new day."

Construction is still some way off; the Aboriginal Housing Company has to submit detailed project plans and get financial backing.

Mr Mundine says he is confident of securing funding.

"People say, 'Where's the money coming from?' Hey, I don't know yet," he said. "But just have a bit of faith in life and the money will flow in."

But Opposition planning spokesman Brad Hazzard says it is a tough time to be seeking finance and the project should receive government assistance.

"Redfern and The Block mean a lot to Aboriginal people all across Australia," he said.

"They have fought this Government for 10 years to get a development approval. It is time that this Government came to the party in terms of supporting with funding."

The state and federal governments are refusing to say whether they will chip in.

Local community leader Shane Phillips says the decision is an opportunity for residents to take ownership of the area.

"The Block is the epitome for some time of what went wrong," he said. "We're going to turn that around. We're going to show people how we can solve it."

The area has made huge steps in cutting crime in recent days but long-time Block resident Margaret Blair has her doubts the project will go ahead.

"I've been here since I was a child and look at it," she said. "There's no change and there'll never be a change."

The State Government says the project will create 200 construction jobs, as well as 100 full-time positions once the redevelopment is complete.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/02/2615114.htm?section=australia