21 July 2006
In This Update
RWA Human Services Plan Issues Papers and Forum
Coalition of Chippendale Community Groups meets Minister Sartor over CUB
The future of 3801 and the Eveleigh Large Erecting Workshop
REDWatch adds “Recent Documents” Section to Website
July South Sydney Herald on REDWatch site
Connect Redfern - Updated Children & Family Services Lists Available
Redfern Local Area Traffic Management Meetings
Community Forum South West, Alexandria and St Peters Monday 24 July 2006 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
City Talk: A City for People - Lessons from New York 25 July 2006 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The Big Friendly Developer & the Artist in Habitat – Thursday 27 July 2006
Walking the Street exhibition (WtS o6) Call for Artist Submissions by 30th July 2006
Rally in Support of the Block – Thursday 10th August 6 – 8.30pm
Coming Events (entered on the REDWatch website)
RWA Human Services Plan
Issues Papers and Forum
RWA will hold the Human Services Plan
Phase Two Forum, for those that have been appointed to represent their
organisations and other RWA invitees, at the ATP on 24th and 25th
July 2006. Organisations had only a couple of weeks to pull together their
responses and the short timeframe did not allow word to get out widely to users
of services. Organisations similarly did not have much time to get input from
their members and service users. As a result only a small number of submissions
were received by the cut-off date. We have now seen all these submissions as
well as some that have been sent to us after the cut off.
So that people can see some of the feedback
to the RWA
HSP Phase 2 Issues Papers (MS Word RWA distributed version 997Kb), REDWatch
is again placing submissions on its website. We have held back this update so
you will have access to as many of the papers to be considered at the forum as
possible.
A number of papers have been prepared by the
South Sydney Consortium which can be viewed at South
Sydney Consortium response to RWA HSP Phase 2. The two completed in time
for the submission deadline were General
Comments on Consultation Process and 1
Provision of Services (not ‘Better Service Delivery’) (MS Word 82Kb) which
attempts to relate the Action Items in the Phase 2 Forum Issues Papers to
current service activity and experience in the area. Responses have also been
made on other papers so far including 2
Dementia (MS Word 44KB), 8
Social Isolation (MS Word 145KB), 9
Transport (MS Word 36KB) and 10
Housing Safety (MS Word 79KB). More papers may be added.
You can also read REDWatch
Comments on RWA Issues Papers for Phase 2 HSP , Redfern
Legal Centre Response to RWA HSP Phase 2 Papers (MS Word 89 Kb) NCOSS
Submission on RWA HSP Phase 2 (567KB PDF), the South
Sydney Community Aid letter to RWA concerning Migrant Paper (PDF 63Kb) [one submissions has been deleted by request from author in August 2007]
and Elizabeth
Rice's Submission on the RWA HSP Phase 2 papers (MS Word 138Kb). Any other
submissions received will also be added to the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/humanservices/phase2paper
.
Over the last couple of weeks we have heard a
few adverse comments about the RWA Issues Papers and the process. Many of these
comments seem to have been summed up in the following quote from an anonymous
relevant expert who was not consulted: “Selected members of the human
services sector are expected to give up two days of their time to discuss the
content of issues papers on which they were not consulted, written by unknown
authors and which make a series of unsubstantiated claims which are not
supported by a skerrick of evidence. The RWA papers fail to identify the
strengths of the system and make few recommendations with regard to central
government responsibilities. The papers provide no reference material and as
such contain nothing more than a series of sweeping statements and broad
generalisations which could arguably be applied to any human services system
operating anywhere. In my view if relevant experts in each identified issue
area had been consulted prior to the workshops, in relation to the content of
the issues papers, a better starting point for moving forward could have been
established”.
It has been said for sometime that what was put together for Redfern Waterloo was likely to be rolled out into other parts of NSW. Last RWIU we drew peoples’ attention to the NSW Government proposal to develop a State Plan over the next three months http://www.nsw.gov.au/stateplan/index.aspx?page=0 and we notice that the Premier has recently had departmental heads in meetings over the State Plan Premier locks up chiefs for powwow on plan. It would be reasonable to expect that the push for greater integration of services being worked on in Redfern Waterloo should integrate into a State Plan. Our major concern however is that while Redfern Waterloo’s Human Service Plan might be able to draw on government department’s resources outside Redfern Waterloo to address the areas problems, this will not work at state level and the State Plan will run up against the long term under-funding of human services at both Federal and State levels.
Coalition of Chippendale
Community Groups meets Minister Sartor over CUB
Representatives of local Chippendale community groups have met with Minister Sartor and chair of his advisory panel chair Chris Johnson to discuss their concerns about the CUB site. Their report back to the community can be found on the REDWatch website at Coalition Chippendale Community Groups meet Minister Sartor. The Chippendale groups are trying to organise a community meeting for Wednesday 2 August at 7pm to brief people about the CUB site and also discuss an exciting concept for an off road high volume pedestrian - cyclist route through Chippendale to the city. If you would like to obtain updates directly from the Coalition Chippendale Community Groups (includes Chippendale Residents Interest Group, Friends of Carlton United Site and East Chippendale Community Group) email communityworkingparty@yahoo.com.au.
The future of 3801
and the Eveleigh Large Erecting Workshop
One of the areas covered in the draft Built Environment Plan under “South Eveleigh” was the Large Erecting Workshop which currently houses the 3801 and some other steam trains. The 3801 has been operated over the last 20 years by 3801 Limited who have had a lease on the train and rent free use of the Large Erecting Workshop. The lease ends in November 2006 and the 3801 will need to leave the “Large” which the Draft Built Environment Plan shows as being replaced by 12 and 4 storey buildings in a westward expansion of the ATP. Those associated with the 3801 have recently issued a media release NSW GOVERNMENT TO CLOSE DOWN 3801 LIMITED and the issue has been picked up by a number of media outlets such as in the Telegraph’s Historic locomotive rail-roaded. The 3801 opens up two issues. Firstly, the one of immediate concern to 3801 Limited is if they can stay in control of the 3801 and obtain another location in Sydney that would allow them to continue to offer their steam trips out of Sydney. The second issue is what happens to the buildings like the “Large” which are an important part of the area’s railway heritage. It is expected that in the near future the NSW Government will announce that all railway heritage items in Eveleigh will be relocated to Thirlmere - well away from Sydney. It really does seem a shame that some of Eveleigh’s railway heritage can not be kept functioning in the area as it has with the 3801 continuing to operate out of the “Large”. But of course if this was to happen there would not be room for that 12 story addition to the ATP.
ILC Plans on ILC
Website
The ILC have now set up a page for National
Indigenous Youth Development Centre Redfern. The site can be accessed at http://www.ilc.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=71#e99.
We notice that the ILC has not put the third display board up on the site
presumably because the PCYC part of the plan is currently up in the air. The
third board from the launch can be seen on the REDWatch website at Plan
of Redfern School Site Proposal (150 KB JPG).
We are intrigued by the following comment in
Kristina Keneally’s Heffron E-Herald No 21 about the ILC centre “I
believe Lord Mayor Clover Moore should demonstrate the city’s support for the
plans by assisting in the ILC’s bid to create a cohesive development. The ILC
has called on the City of Sydney
to assist in closing the Renwick
Street laneway, which bisects the school buildings
and the sporting grounds. However, the Council’s submission on the draft Built
Environment Plan for Redfern and Waterloo
indicates it wants to build a new street at the northern end of the site. I
urge Councillor Moore to abandon this strategy and show her commitment to local
Indigenous youth by backing the redevelopment plans. This facility will
be a wonderful asset to the families of Redfern and Waterloo.”
The RWA’s Draft Built Environment Plan for the school site recommended: “Maximise accessibility to and within the site by: • providing a new east west vehicle, pedestrian and cycle link between Cope Street and George Street • extending Renwick Street through to Phillip Street • creating new vehicular, pedestrian and cycle entry points from Cope Street, Phillip Street and Renwick Street”. Now I know we have not yet seen what cabinet has agreed to on the RWA’s BEP, but presumably the ILC has got the RWA to change its position on the street and the RWA wants the City of Sydney to fall into line.
REDWatch adds “Recent
Documents” Section to Website
REDWatch has added a “Recent Changes” section to the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/recent. This allows visitors to see the 50 most recent changes to the REDWatch site and to set up an RSS feed to this page and pick up changes as they are made. The REDWatch site is now quite large so it is very difficult for regular users to know what has been changed. Hopefully this addition will make it more user friendly. This is probably a good time also to remind people that the search function on the REDWatch site is quite a powerful tool to help you find the information on the site. Hopefully the RWA will get the search function on their website working so people who like to use such functions can search the RWA site as well!
July South Sydney
Herald on REDWatch site
It took a little time to get the 2.5 Mb PDF of this month’s South Sydney Herald up, but it can now be downloaded from the REDWatch site from SSH July 2006 for those who have not seen it. Articles that may be of special interest to Redfern Waterloo have been added to the REDWatch media section. These include articles about the tent embassy Rebuilding The Block: Tent Embassy comes to Redfern; the RWA new hospitality training venture Edna’s Table spread before Indigenous community; Lions Club starts up in Redfern; Council to end waiting list nightmare for childcare places and NSW Government grant sends Poet’s “over the moon”. Also of interest will be two articles from two black Americans who have developed an attachment to the Redfern Waterloo area. Angela Pitts writes of International gifts of creativity for The Block and Elliot Yancey looks at whether we can learn anything from the Harlem experience in Renaissance in Redfern – My Observation. In the spirit of encouraging local debate on issues we have also put up Ross Smith’s letter to the editor opposing wet centres Letters - Re Local MP calls for street drinkers to be moved into Wet Centres.
Connect Redfern -
Updated Children & Family Services Lists Available
Connect Redfern issue a number of lists (updated at the beginning of each school term) for Children and Family services in Redfern Waterloo. We have posted the most recent listings (Term 3 2006) at http://www.redwatch.org.au/redw/services/connectredfern. If you are looking for local services you can also access major community services databases from http://www.redwatch.org.au/redw/services .
Redfern Local Area Traffic
Management Meetings
The City of Sydney is undertaking a local area traffic
management study of Redfern. The consultants Arup Transport Planning are
looking for comments and concerns regarding traffic movements or residential
safety due to local traffic in Redfern. Submissions close Friday 25 August 2006
and comments can be sent by email to redfernlatm@arup.com.au, faxed to 02
9320 9321 or posted to Arup Transport Planning, PO Box 76,. Millers Point NSW 2000.
Two meetings for Redfern residents to look at
local traffic issues have been arranged. For the purpose of the forums the area
of Redfern between Gibbons and South Dowling Streets has been divided at Elizabeth Street.
For streets east of Elizabeth Street through
to South Dowling St there will be an East Redfern Local Area Traffic
Management Meeting on Saturday 29 July 2006 2–4pm Redfern Town Hall
73 Pitt St Redfern. More information and the Community Meeting Invitation can
be downloaded from the City of Sydney
website here.
Redfern west of Gibbons street will be considered with Darlington at the West Redfern Local Area Traffic Management Meeting on Tuesday 8 August 2006 6-8pm Redfern Town Hall 73 Pitt St Redfern. More information and the Community Meeting Invitation can be downloaded from the City of Sydney website here.
Community Forum South
West, Alexandria and St Peters Monday 24 July 2006 6:00 PM – 8:30
PM
City of Sydney will be holding a Community Forum South West, Alexandria and St Peters on Monday 24 July 2006 6pm – 8.30pm at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria. More information can be found at http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/2006/PublicMeetings/CommunityForum_240706.asp .
City Talk: A City for
People - Lessons from New York 25 July 2006 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
A New York urban social planning expert will discuss the social issues facing big cities, at a free City Talk on Tuesday 25 July. Special advisor to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Professor Ester Fuchs will talk about how she helped transform New York by improving services to the community. Professor Fuchs specialises in vision planning and community building and has directed large research projects on issues ranging from state fiscal policy to homelessness policy. The free City Talks, presented by the City of Sydney and The Sydney Morning Herald, are designed to stimulate discussion on our urban environment. City Talks are free, however bookings are essential. Tickets are available from the City Recital Hall Angel Place Box Office by phone 8256 2222 or online at City Recital Hall Angel Place ticketing. More Info http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/2234-event-details.asp?EventID=14314
The Big Friendly
Developer & the Artist in Habitat – Thursday 27 July 2006
An interactive discussion on the adventures of Gang Festival 05/06, a creative cultural exchange between 16 artist-run spaces from 2 countries over 7 months, is culminating in a Chippendale take-over of streets, residences and local parks. This workshop is designed for arts workers from the broadest range of practices who want to understand the bigger picture in a creative political economy. Participants will learn about the significance of progressive art spaces in Sydney’s history, and strategies to stimulate insurrection within your local arts constabularies. Using the game board ‘Monopoly’ as an example of the worst kind of template for a city, participants will work together to creatively transform components of civic space and make the game fairer. Participants are encouraged to bring audacity and ideas to the Performance Space (199 Cleveland St Redfern) from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 27 July 2006. No charge.
Public Accounts
Committee Inquiry into the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program
Submission deadline 28 July
The Legislative Assembly Public Accounts Committee is calling for submissions to its inquiry into the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program. Interested individuals and organisations are invited to make a submission by Friday, 28 July 2006. Further information including the terms of reference for the Inquiry can be found at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/B4C0E359A9224489CA25719200013D2D .
Walking the Street
exhibition (WtS o6) Call for Artist Submissions by 30th July 2006
Inner West Cultural Services is currently accepting artist submissions for the annual Walking the Street exhibition (WtS o6), which will take place in October along south King Street. They are particularly encouraging group display of art works created by young people via school or community programs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists are also encouraged to apply. WtS o6 is funded by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, City of Sydney and Marrickville Council and is organised by Inner West Cultural Services. WtS o6 supporters include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-Operative, Gadigal Information Service, NSW ANtaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) Lillians' and Art Almanac. For more information please contact the IWCS on 9519 0815 or wtsartists@innerwestcs.org.au .
Rally in Support of
the Block – Thursday 10th August 6 – 8.30pm
A rally is being planned in support of the Block on Thursday 10th August 6pm. The Rally will commence between the Redfern towers and the RSL club for speeches and then move to the Block as an expression of solidarity. The rally is being planned by Redfern Residents for Reconciliation in conjunction with local ALP branches, the South Sydney Greens, REDWatch, local churches and other groups. Bishop John Macintyre has agreed to return to Redfern for the event. So mark it in your diary and if you are interested in assisting with the rally or want to lend your support contact Trevor Davies on trevrssh@bigpond.net.au ph (04) 0000-8338 or Lyn Turnbull on turnbullfamily@stassen.com.au ph: 0418 655 246.