Redfern Waterloo Estimates - Answers to Questions on Notice

QUESTION ON NOTICE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REDFERN WATERLOO AUTHORITY –

On 16th September 2009 Ms Sylvia Hale placed the following questions on the Legislative Assembly Question and Answer Paper. The Hon Kristina Keneally MP Minister for Planning Minister for Redfern Waterloo has replied as follows: 

APPOINTMENT OF MR CHRIS SAUNDERS

Question No 1 (f), (g) & (h). Ms Sylvia Hale to ask the Minister for Planning, Minister for Redfern Waterloo—

1. Minister, has the ICAC investigation the appointment of Mr Chris Saunders finished?

2. Has ICAC reported back to you on the result of that investigation?

3. In relation to Mr Chris Saunders the General Manager of the Australian Technology Park, was it found that no proper recruitment process was followed in his appointment to this position?

Answer:

1. This is a matter for ICAC

2. As above

3. An independent investigation carried out by the Internal Audit Bureau on behalf of the RWA found that the appointment of Mr Chris Saunders was carried out in accordance with relevant policy and procedures, and that there was no misconduct in relation to this appointment. 

NORTH EVELEIGH SITE

Question No. 2(a)&(b) – Ms Hale to ask the Minister for Planning, Minister for Redfern Waterloo—

a. Have any offers been made for the North Eveleigh redevelopment site, or parts thereof?

b. Is the RWA still considering the offer made by the University of Sydney for the site?

Answer:

The Government has received a number of unsolicited expressions of interest both formal and informal for the North Eveleigh site, including from the University of Sydney

The University of Sydney has written to the NSW Government formally expressing its interest in the site.

The Government is currently giving consideration as to how the site may be sold. This includes consideration of the current market conditions.

This process is currently under consideration by NSW Cabinet. 

RSL and Gibbons St Redevelopment and Rezoning of Regent St Area

Question No. 3 – Ms Hale to ask the Minister for Planning, Minister for Redfern Waterloo—

a) Are there plans to redevelop the 2 block of land from the towers (formerly known as the ‘TNT’ towers) to Margaret Street with a height zoning of 18 storeys?

b) Are there other applications to redevelop sites within this area, apart from the RSL and Gibbons Street sites already on exhibition?

c) What negotiations have been made with the City of Sydney in regard to redeveloping the old Council depot site and 90 Regent St?

d) Is the southern end of Marion St Park within the development area? Are there any plans for its redevelopment considering the past community campaign to protect the park?

e) What plans are being made to establish a safe crossing across Gibbons St to the 2 new residential developments on the corner of Redfern and Gibbons Sts?

f) Will there be any affordable housing levy under the Redfern Waterloo Authority Act, applied to the RSL and Gibbons St developments? Or will the new Affordable Housing SEPP provisions be applied? Will any affordable housing units be provided via any of these mechanisms on site?

Answers:

Question (a)

• Several Part 3A applications have been lodged with the Department of Planning to redevelop sites within this area. A description of these applications and their status is provided below:
• Redevelopment of the Redfern RSL Club site at 157 Redfern Street for an 18 storey mixed use development incorporating retail, commercial and residential and a new RSL Club. The application was publicly exhibited from 29 July to 28 August 2009. The applicant is currently reviewing the submissions from the exhibition period.
• Redevelopment of the existing car park site at 7-9 Gibbons Street Redfern for an 18 storeys mixed use development incorporating retail, commercial and residential uses. The Director General's Requirements were issued by the Department on the 7 August 2009 for the applicant to prepare the environmental assessment. The applicant is yet to submit the environmental assessment to the Department.
• Redevelopment of the existing building at 90 Regent Street Redfern for an 11 storey commercial building. The Director General's Requirements were issued by the Department on the 8 May 2008 for the applicant to prepare the environmental assessment. The applicant has not prepared the environmental assessment and the application had not progressed.

Question (b)

• No other applications are currently on exhibition. Refer to the answer to (a) above for the applications.

Question (c)

• There have been no negotiations with the City of Sydney regarding the redevelopment of the Council depot site and 90 Regent St.

Question (d)

• The Marion St Park, which includes the area bounded by Gibbons Street and Rosehill Street, is within the RWA State Significant Sites; however it is not subject to any development proposal. There is currently no proposal for the upgrade of the park.

Question (e)

• The RWA has had discussions with the Roads and Traffic Authority regarding opportunities for improving pedestrian flow and safety both on Gibbons and Regents Streets, particularly for people accessing the station. This issue has also been raised in the RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee, which the RTA is a member of.

Question (f)

• An affordable housing levy will be applied to the RSL and Gibbons St developments in accordance with the Redfern - Waterloo Authority Affordable Housing Contributions Plan 2006. The Contributions Plan was prepared under Section 32 of the Redfern - Waterloo Authority Act, 2004. The affordable housing contribution levy is $59 per square metre of additional gross floor area of the development. 

Source: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/3e09075a49ac632bca25765b0081891b/$FILE/091026%20Answers%20to%20QoN%20-%20Planning,%20Redfern%20Waterloo%20-%20written.pdf

QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE DURING EVIDENCE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REDFERN WATERLOO AUTHORITY

During The Estimates Hearing a number of questions were taken on notice during the hearing. The following answers have been provided to those questions: 

10. Peter Vladeta – Payout on Termination

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Minister, on another matter which I think specifically concerns the Redfern Waterloo Authority: Have you investigated the appointment of Mr Peter Vladeta, General Manager for the Redfern Waterloo Authority, given claims made by staff in a letter to you dated 15 December 2008 that no proper recruitment process was followed in his appointment to that position?

Ms KRISTINA KENEALLY: I am aware of that letter. I referred that letter to the ICAC. I might ask if the chief executive has any further information to add.

Mr WAKELIN-KING: I am advised that the letter was referred to ICAC and that further investigation has been conducted, the results of which are currently under consideration in relation to that matter.

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Perhaps you would be able to tell us why Mr Vladeta's contract was terminated.

Mr WAKELIN-KING: I was not there at the time, but my understanding is that it was part of the overall reductions in relation to SES positions that occurred at the end of last year.

Ms KRISTINA KENEALLY: I might also note that Mr Vladeta was brought on when Mr Domm became the chief executive of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, and Mr Domm continued to hold both of the chief executive officer positions for the RWA and SHFA. When I came on as Minister, and Mr Domm then subsequently resigned from the chief executive officer position of the RWA, I was able to appoint a chief executive officer who could hold that position solely at the RWA and not have the dual responsibility.

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Did Mr Vladeta receive a payout on termination? If so, how much did he receive?

Mr WAKELIN-KING: I would have to take that question on notice, if I may. 

Answers:

Question 1

• This is a matter for ICAC

Question 2

• As above

Question 3

• An independent investigation carried out by the Internal Audit Bureau on behalf of the RWA found that the appointment of Mr Petar Vladeta was carried out in accordance with relevant NSW Government policy and procedures, and that there was no misconduct in relation to this appointment.

Question 4

• I am advised Mr Peter Vladeta was employed on a temporary contract by the RWA in July 2008.
• Mr Vladeta’s contract was terminated on 16 January 2009
• Mr Vladeta’s contract was terminated as the position he was occupying was no longer required by the RWA.
• Mr Vladeta’s contract was also terminated for performance reasons

Question 5

• Mr Vladeta received a termination payment of $62,185.03

Question 6

• No 

11. Little Eveleigh St Property Purchase

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Mr Wakelin-King, regarding the Little Eveleigh Street purchase, what was paid for the Little Eveleigh Street property?

Mr WAKELIN-KING: The specific amount I would have to take on notice, and I can come back to you in relation to that. 

Answer:

The RWA purchased Little Eveleigh for $3,276,744.39. This consists of the following:

Value of the property $2,800,000.00

Stamp Duty $154,894.00

Land Tax $3,460.00

Esperon Fee $35.00

Council Rates $1,631.86

Water Rates $210.88

Others (Discharge of Mortgage) ($92.00)

Insurance $13,779.32

Legal fees $20,123.61

GST $282,701.72

Total $3,276,744.39

The purchase of the Little Eveleigh Street property is a key part of the preparations for the upgrade of Redfern Station.

The acquisition of this land will allow for the effective delivery of the upgrade of the Station and is an important part of the design process currently underway by RailCorp.

The acquisition of this property was done with the full transparency of the RWA Board and will be of great benefit to the community of Redfern by contributing to the development of Redfern Station. 

12. Eveleigh Markets - Profitability

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Thank you. Mr Wakelin-King, in relation to the Eveleigh farmers markets and the Eveleigh craft markets, are either of those markets financially viable?

Mr WAKELIN-KING: Both the Eveleigh farmers markets and the artisan markets are a very important part of the development of the community and the urban renewal program in the Redfern-Waterloo area. I can inform the Committee that they are a tremendously successful enterprise in terms of building community capacity and in relation to the development of a new urban environment in Redfern-Waterloo. It is very important that this is discussed and understood. Obviously, in the development of any enterprise, and particularly a market that is in its start-up phase, there will be some commitment of funds to that, and the longer term outlook in terms of their viability is something that we are constantly monitoring.

Ms SYLVIA HALE: Would you take on notice the net profit or net loss from the operations of each of those markets to date? 

Answer:

• The Eveleigh Markets were established in December 2008
• The Eveleigh Markets are an important part of the overall urban renewal program for Redfern Waterloo.
• The Eveleigh Markets have been highly successful in changing the misconceptions of the Redfern Waterloo area.
• The Eveleigh Markets average 3,000 people attending a week, most of whom come from the inner Sydney area.
• As the markets are based on primary producers, the Eveleigh Markets minimise the amount of ‘food kilometres’ the produce travels, thus reducing greenhouse emissions.
• The Eveleigh Markets provide for community participation with a dedicated stall free for use for community organisation.
• The Eveleigh Market is adaptively re-using the Blacksmiths Workshops, therefore helping preserve the important heritage aspect of this part of the site.
• The market is managed by the Australian Precinct Management Ltd on behalf of the RWA.
• The financial performance of the Eveleigh Markets is commercial in confidence and is unable to be disclosed.
• The NSW tax payer is not subsidising the operation of the market. 

Source: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/3e09075a49ac632bca25765b0081891b/$FILE/091026%20Answers%20to%20QoN%20-%20Planning,%20Redfern%20Waterloo%20-%20taken%20during%20hearing.pdf