Central Readers Respong on Redfern Story

BRING BACK THE VILLAGE

I read with interest your story on Redfern (Central, August 26) and wish to make the following comments. As a 20-year resident (we have lived in two streets over this time), we have seen a deterioration in lifestyle and would love to see a return to the village atmosphere that Redfern once had. We had the butcher shop, the green grocer, a Japanese eatery and a Korean grocery among others. Then the high rents created by the factory outlet shops pushed these people away and now we are left with what looks like a mess. We need to get back the village style shops and eateries and get rid of the heavy steel shutters (replaced by better looking roller grille security). Redfern could be a vibrant, multiracial, integrated and respectful community. It has a great mix of people and we love the area. Let's hope we can see it return to the village comnmunity once again

DAVID WILLIAMS, Redfern

REDFERN SUGGESTIONS

Yes, there is so much scope in Redfern. Would love to see a loud and proud Aboriginal presence in the Redfern CBD. Black bookshop, like the one that used to be at Tranby for example. Doesn’t have to be all commercial, what about a new model such as workshop / training type businesses. One of the keeping places., that have been too long on the promises list..... Redfern could be cutting edge, could pave the way towards a new era of Aboriginal pride and showcasing. They may not think like this themselves, but Sydney, the country needs it.

Esther Chan

MAKE REDFERN COMFORTABLE

If the shopkeepers think security is not an issue in Redfern then why are the shutters still there?  Come on Ms Pidcock - get rid of the shutters and convert Redfern into a place that has some semblance to a normal shopping / commercial area - don’t just paint over them with “public art” (which sounds like legal graffiti to me). Seems like the like there is an elephant still in the room here. I’d forget the branding strategy.  Your marketing consultants will make a motza from the report they prepare on that one and it’ll probably end up as a door stop. Just make it a place people feel comfortable walking around at any hour of the day. Addressing the “public drunkedness” would be a start.

Paul Gibbeson

Source: Printred Edition 2 September & Online http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/redferns-great-depression/