The Fast News - Compiled by Trevor Davies

Something good from the State budget

Shelter NSW, the NSW advocacy organisation for low-income housing tenants, welcomes the recent State budget. The allocation of funds to Housing NSW and to the Aboriginal Housing Office increased by a whopping 223 per cent. “After a decade or more of decline, it’s very good that there is serious money available to address some of the shortcomings and provide additional housing for those ‘doing it tough,’” said Mary Perkins, Executive Officer for Shelter NSW. 

Redfern RSL will never be the same

Last month the developer for the Redfern RSL site arranged a public meeting at Redfern Town Hall to tell people what was going to happen with the development. It was a community consultation and business owners in and around Redfern Street, the Chamber of Commerce, the Aboriginal Housing Company and some members of REDWatch were invited – all good people.

Only about seven people were there. REDWatch member, Dave Allen, reports: “The proposal is that an 18-storey building will be constructed. The RSL will be on the first floor, retail shops on one floor and the rest will be residential, with underground parking for 160 vehicles.

The presenters appeared to have strong social consciences. All three spoke about anti-social behaviour in Redfern but agreed that some more densely populated suburbs do have genuine anti-social problems. They did not explain how over-developing a charming village (remember Clover’s City-of-Villages slogan) could preserve Redfern’s charm as a place to live, study, gather and do business. They were concerned (on Redfern’s behalf) about the shadows cast by a 12(?)-storey building but did not explain how an even larger building would reduce this problem. They had the wrong street name on one of their slides.

They showed the projected 18-storey building to be shorter than an existing building. They explained that the NSW Government had granted Control for an 18-storey building at 157 Redfern Street and (perhaps) for at least one other site. Their commercial preference was to construct an 18-storey building in line with the Control. They would like the approval process (which they did not explain well – one person from the audience corrected them on some points) to be concluded this year and construction to start asap.”
For exact details, see  http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/files/33059/Clause%206%20-%2027%20Feb%2009.pdf

Friends of Redfern Station

Last month, the SSH reported on a staffing review being conducted line by line by RailCorp. The unions are concerned that the review will mean stations like Erskineville and Redfern will be left un-staffed on weekends, which may make both stations unsafe. As well as staffing levels there remain concerns about lack of disabled access and the Redfern community has been promised an upgrade that will allow the elderly, parents with prams, etc. to access platforms. Friends of Redfern Station (this has been started by Darlington branch of the ALP) is organising a rally on Saturday July 18 at about 1pm opposite the police station.  Railway unions will speak. Fast News’ “old friend”, REDWatch’s Geoff Turnbull, will be there, as well as others. So come and join us, and get informed.

Rudd and Nelson making a difference in Darlington

Last month the PM paid a visit to Darlington to visit the Shepherd Centre, founded by Dr Bruce Shepherd. The Centre specialises in hearing problems for the young. There, the PM made a very important announcement. “The Australian Government will seek a commitment from States and Territories to deliver newborn Hearing Screening for all Australian babies from 1 January 2011. Presently, only 75 per cent of newborns are screened. This varies from over 95 per cent in some States and Territories to less than 40 per cent in others.

About 500 children every year are born with a moderate to profound permanent hearing impairment. However, many of these children are not identified until months or even years after birth. Hearing screening involves a simple, non-invasive test that is relatively quick and easy to perform. Early detection and treatment of a hearing impairment can be vitally important in a child’s ability to develop language skills, in their later education and their employment prospects. Children whose hearing impairment is detected in the first days of life can be fitted with a hearing device from as early as three months. With the Government’s $60 billion in public hospital funding to begin flowing to States and Territories from 1 July 2009, this is one of the improvements that Australians can expect to receive.” Former Opposition Leader, Dr Brendan Nelson, an old friend of the Shepherds and a frequent visitor to the Centre, even while he was Opposition Leader, was also there for the announcement.

Fast News understands it was Dr Nelson who had been talking to the PM about making such a commitment. A big difference to kids’ lives – thanks to two politicians who overcame their differences.

Source: South Sydney Herald July 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au