17 October 2006

In This Update

Draft Phase 2 Human Services Plan Analysed

The Settlement 80+1 Birthday Gala Celebration Night – 19^th October 2006

Connect Redfern – Term 4 Children & Family Services Lists Available

CarriageWorks raises Parking Problem for Darlington

That “Large” Issue

Map of Department of Housing Land Holdings in Redfern Waterloo

Indigenous Land Council Clarify their Planning Application

AHC now has Director Generals Requirements (DGRs)

Director Generals Requirements for CUB Site

Noise Concerns from ATP for Alexandria residents

A 3A Alliance

RWA looking for Project Staff

Heidi Norman to do Redfern Waterloo Study

Redfern Oval DA – 8^th November 2006

REDWatch Meeting on Human Services Plan Phase 2 – 1^st November 2006

Have your say – Consultations mentioned previously:

- Proposed New Heritage Items & Heritage Item listing amendments - 24 October 2006

- Inner West Local Action Plan Consultation – until Thursday 26^th October 2006

- Green Square Built Form Review and DCP Amendment – 30^th October 2006

- Lord Mayor Community Forum Redfern Waterloo – 30^th October 2006

- Heritage Streetscapes Study – 30^th October 2006

Coming Events (entered on the REDWatch website)
 

Draft Phase 2 Human Services Plan Analysed

Since the last update which advised of the release of the Draft Redfern Waterloo Phase 2 Human Services Plan (pdf ~126kb) we have had the time to produce a document comparison of the Draft Human Services Plan Phase Two with the earlier RWA Issues Papers (rich text 203Kb). This document highlights the deletions and additions to the earlier issues papers. This document may assist those who are familiar with the earlier Issues Papers to quickly identify the areas in the Draft Plan that have changed in services proposed for older people; people with disabilities; migrant communities; and homeless people.

We were surprised, given the initial feedback we received, at the number of changes that had been made between the two documents. Despite the changes from the Issues papers we continue to hear concerns about the draft, in particular feedback about the failure of the Draft to address the resources needed to provide services to a broader range of people and to allow services with full waiting lists to meet unmet need. Clover Moore in her eNews of 13 October 2006 has also made a number of such observations about the Plan. These can be seen on the REDWatch website at the following link RWA Phase 2 Human Services.

Submissions on the Draft Phase 2 Human Services Plan close on Tuesday 7 November 2006. Prior to this, on Wednesday 1 November, REDWatch is holding a Public Meeting to allow interested residents and service providers to discuss the draft Plan with Aldo Penini RWA’s Director of Reforming Human Services.  This will allow people, including REDWatch, a week or so to formulate their submissions before the cut off. A Poster for REDWatch HSP2 Meeting 1st November 2006 (PDF 494Kb) can be downloaded from the REDWatch website.

All the papers connected with the Phase Two Forum that provided input on the RWA Issues papers can be found on the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/humanservices/phase2paper/. 

The Settlement 80+1 Birthday Gala Celebration Night – 19^th October 2006

The Settlement has been in its Edward Street premises for 80+1 years and to celebrate they are hosting a Gala Night.  They will be showcasing: a photographic exhibition of The Settlement; a children and young persons’ art display; live music, dance and song; films made by the Settlement Mob; a trampoline show; and some spectacular surprises including a guest appearance by Casey Donovan. Finger food and drinks provided (note: The Settlement is a drug and alcohol free zone.) The event is sponsored by the Australia Council of the Arts. The Gala night is on Thursday 19 October 2006 at 7 for 7.30pm performance commencement (ends 9.30) all welcome at The Settlement, 17 Edwards Street, Darlington NSW 2008 Ph: 02. 9698 3087. More information about the Settlement can be found in the Spring 2006 issue of the Sydney University Alumni magazine in the article A Settlement at the Crossroads (PDF 290Kb).

Connect Redfern – Term 4 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 4 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 .

CarriageWorks raises Parking Problem for Darlington

Darlington has always had problems with parking due to its close proximity to Sydney University. When the CarriageWorks Contemporary Arts Centre DA was approved Council made it a condition that the CarriageWorks needed to arrange an extension of residents parking in surrounding streets if residents supported this. Last week Darlington Residents received a CarriageWorks letter and a Darlington Parking Feedback Form (PDF 17Kb). The letter proposed to change all parking in Darlington (Area 32) from the current 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday restriction to a 7 day 8am to 10pm 1 hour zoning.

While this may ease the impact of inadequate parking provision at the CarriageWorks on local permit holders it makes life particularly difficult on some people in The Foundry who have no entitlement to on street parking permits but can currently find parking from 6pm to 8am. It also has big implications for residents who have visitors that drive to see them for lunch, dinner or to stay the weekend. Already we have seen leaflets in our letterbox urging residents make sure they send the form back and that they vote NO as “it would hinder family gatherings or friends visiting and isolate our community”.

This is the first of what we would expect to be many changes that will flow from the increased development activity in Redfern Waterloo. It is one more reason why residents need to be involved in the decisions taken about their neighbourhood. Pressures for such changes are likely to increase with the further development of the old Eveleigh Rail yards and the Redfern Station precinct.

That “Large” Issue

The Large Erecting Workshop is becoming caught up in the 3801 battle. This was made clear to us in a recent report from the NSW Rail Transport Museum (RTM) at Thirlmere New South Wales Rail Transport Museum on Rail Heritage 3801 and Eveleigh. The RTM are major beneficiaries of the recent RailCorp decisions concerning the future of rail heritage. The RTM will get $14 million to build housing for much of the rail heritage currently stored at Eveleigh and the RTM is currently in dispute with 3801 Ltd over the future of the 3801 locomotive. The article provides the RTM’s view on these railway heritage issues and on Eveleigh. It is apparent from the article that the RTM do not believe that there should be a future for heritage rail operations run out of Eveleigh. We were particularly concerned about the following paragraph:

“In reality, there is no indication whatever that the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh will be demolished to make way for high-rise development, as has been suggested. In fact this has been firmly refuted recently by the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor. Especially given the interest of conservation advocates such as the National Trust and MP and Lord Mayor Clover Moore, demolition is inconceivable.”

We have asked the RTM for details of what the Minister said when that lead the RTM to this conclusion. They have advised that their comment is based on a comment the Minister made in late July on 2GB. We have also asked the RWA if they are aware of any assurances by Minister Sartor that the Large will not be demolished. The RWA have referred us to the Minister’s media statement made on the 30^th August 2006, the day the Minister gazetted the SEPP. The SEPP shows the area occupied by the historically significant Large Erecting Workshop zoned for an up to 12 storey building. We regret that the RTM statement is not a basis for joy for those concerned about the future of the ‘Large’.

In other developments on the ‘Large’, a statement from some ex Eveleigh workers of Concern for the Railway Heritage of Eveleigh Workshops has been issued to try to gather together those concerned about the future of Eveleigh. In addition we have been advised by another group called Friends of Eveleigh, that the Large has been submitted for a National Heritage Listing. The listing can be seen on the Australian Heritage Database at the following link The Large Erecting Shop - Eveleigh [Note this link can taker a long time to bring up the database entry – you can also get it by entering “Eveleigh” into the search function at http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl]

For those interested in more information on the Eveleigh issue we have put together a list of links - Eveleigh Links RWA, REDWatch and Other Websites. If you have any suggestions for additions to this list please let us know.

Map of Department of Housing Land Holdings in Redfern Waterloo

We have earlier mentioned that as part of the City of Sydney’s Waterloo + Redfern Urban Design Study, that the City has proposed changed planning controls for the entire area including the area’s Department of Housing (DoH) properties. In consultations we have encouraged the Council to make available a definitive map of DoH holdings in the area so that the community can compare these holdings up against the changes proposed. We have asked for this as these are the areas which are State Government owned and hence they are areas where it can not be guaranteed that the Council’s Urban Design will be implemented. Public housing will be the major focus for the Second Stage of the RWA’s Built Environment Report. We are pleased to advise that while the consultation time has now passed Council has added a map showing the Department of Housing Properties in Study Area | PDF 372Kb. REDWatch has also added this map and the relevant sections of the Draft Urban Design Study to its website for easy reference. You can find the sections of the Urban Design study relating to Public housing at http://www.redwatch.org.au/issues/public-housing/redevelopment/cosuds/ .

Indigenous Land Council Clarify their Planning Application

You may recall in the last Update we reported on the ILC application on the Major Projects site listing. The ILC have provided us with some clarification on the issues we raised about the application. We have reproduced the ILC’s clarification below:

“As discussed, I would like to respond to a few points raised in the REDwatch edition dated 5.10.06 regarding the ILC's redevelopment of the former Redfern Public School.

The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is committed to having the South Sydney PCYC as part of the National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC), discussions with the PCYC and the NSW State Government are continuing and it is hopeful that a partnership arrangement will occur to enable this to happen.

The ILC's plans for the adaptive reuse of the existing buildings on site will significantly restore and improve the heritage status of the two Victorian era buildings which are listed as having local heritage significance. A Heritage Architect will undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the two buildings and the ILC will adhere to any heritage provisions as required by the relevant Planning Authorities.

The Renwick St road closure issue needs clarification.  The ILC does not need the owner's consent for the road closure at this stage in the application process. The ILC does require the owner's consent in order to proceed with the proposed development. The ILC has already commenced the formal process of applying to the City of Sydney Council for the road to be closed on the grounds that the safety of the Centre's participants is paramount to its future operations.

The ILC is in the process of developing a community consultation strategy for the NIDC, we will endeavour to keep REDwatch informed of future opportunities for community consultations.”

We look forward to hearing more from the ILC in the near future about their plans on the old school site and to their consultations with the indigenous and non-indigenous communities of Redfern and Waterloo about how the NIDC will service and work with the local community.

AHC now has Director Generals Requirements (DGRs)

Last Update we made reference to the fact that the AHC has had its application with the Department of Planning since March to get their Director Generals Requirements even though the Minister, when talking to the estimates committee, made it sound as if they had not made a submission. Following that update Michael Mundine CEO of the AHC emailed all NSW MPs advising them that the AHC has Lodged an Application with the Dept of Planning. We understand that since this the AHC has been contacted about supplying a copy of their application in a form suitable to go onto the Department’s website. The AHC have also now received their DGRs and can start looking at how they can make the project work within the new planning parameters. The DGR’s and the AHC Application are expected to be listed on the Department of Planning Major Projects register in the near future.

Director Generals Requirements for CUB Site

The Department of Planning has recently released the Director-General's Requirements (DGRs) that Fosters need to address in their Concept Plan for the CUB site. Of significant concern is that the DGRs require the proposal to be consistent with the much criticised expert panel report provided to the Minister. Clover Moore in her eNEWS of 13 October 2006 - No. 318 has provided her comments on the release of the CUB DGRs in CUB Update – Council, CSPC and Community Removed from the Process.

Noise Concerns from ATP for Alexandria residents

They may live outside the RWA’s area, but residents under the name Alexandria Residents Against Noise from the ATP over several years have been raising issues about the impact of noise from the ATP on local residents. Of particular concern seems to be the noise from building services located on the top of buildings such as air-conditioning on the Biomedical building however we have also heard complains about the noise that travels from large functions at the ATP.  The Alexandria residents have written to the Department of Planning about their concerns with the noise from the ATP to ensure that all future buildings will have adequate Acoustic Engineers Reports.

A 3A Alliance

With more and more projects being taken away from local communities and made 3A Major Projects under the control of the Minister for Planning, there is a growing need for communities caught up in the 3A net to exchange information and to examine the issues raised by the EP&A changes and the 3A process. Following some recent discussions between people dealing with 3A projects in their areas it has been decided to form a 3A Alliance to start monitoring 3A projects. We will let you know more as the group develops but if you would like further information please contact Geoff Turnbull mail@redwatch.org.au or Jo Holder joholder@aic.net.au.

RWA looking for Project Staff

The RWA are currently advertising for three staff with experience in project management and urban renewal. Further details can be found at the following links Principal Project Manager; Senior Development Manager, Urban Renewal; Senior Project Manager. Applications close Friday, 27 October 2006.

Heidi Norman to do Redfern Waterloo Study

Ms Heidi Norman has been awarded the 2006 NSW Indigenous History Fellowship to assist her in researching the impact of economic change on Aboriginal people in the Redfern and Waterloo communities. The project, which will assist elders to record their knowledge of the development of their communities, including significant social, economic and political changes, will be a critical resource for future historical analysis and family histories. It will also form the basis of a public history of the Redfern and Waterloo districts.

In their report, the fellowship judges noted: “As well as having the administrative support of Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney, where Ms Norman is based, this project is firmly grounded in Indigenous approaches and perspectives and community support. It is clear, from both Ms Norman's track record and her application, that she has already developed strong local networks and is working from a sound knowledge base. Furthermore, it clearly builds on and develops her earlier projects, including an invaluable history of the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout soon to be published in the journal Aboriginal History”. More information can be found at http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/awards/HistoryAwards/2006HistoryAwds/2006HistAwards.htm#HistFellowship.

Redfern Oval DA – 8^th November 2006

The relevant Council Committee has accepted the Redfern Park Plan of Management and Masterplan and this will go before the next Council Meeting. The report to the committee can be downloaded from Plan of Management and Master Plan - Redfern Park | PDF 31Kb; Attachment A | PDF 2.4Mb; Attachment B | PDF 2.7Mb; Attachment C | PDF 749Kb .

As the project is being pushed through so work can start as early as possible, the details of the Development Application (DA) were already on exhibition even though the earlier Master Plan and Plan of Management have not yet been adopted by council. You can View the full details and accompanying documentation here for the Redfern Park DA on the Councils website. Submissions close on the 8^th November 2006.

REDWatch Meeting on Human Services Plan Phase 2 – 1^st November 2006

REDWatch’s next meeting will be on Wednesday 1^st November 2006. The meeting will focus on the Draft Human Services Plan. Aldo Panini the RWA Director reforming Human Services will attend and we are encouraging all service providers and residents with an interest in the services covered by the Phase 2 Draft to attend. REDWatch meets downstairs at The Factory, 67 Raglan Street Waterloo. A Poster for REDWatch HSP2 Meeting 1st November 2006 (PDF 494Kb) can be downloaded from the REDWatch website.

Have your say – Consultations mentioned previously:

Below we have re-listed the various Plans and Consultations currently looking for community input:

- Proposed New Heritage Items & Heritage Item listing amendments - 24 October 2006

Proposed New Heritage Items & Heritage Item listing amendments - Until Tuesday 24 October 2006. Proposes to list Redfern Hotel, 88 George Street, Redfern as a 2 storey Inter-War style hotel, 1935.

- Inner West Local Action Plan Consultation – until Thursday 26^th October 2006

The 2006 Local Action Plan Inner West includes proposals for implementation in the villages of Camperdown, Chippendale, Darlington, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Golden Grove, Macdonaldtown and Newtown. If you live in one of these areas please visit the Council web site at Local Action Plan Inner West - Until Thursday 26 October 2006. You can download the details of the Plan for your suburb at Local Action Plan Inner West - Have your say | PDF 233Kb.

- Green Square Built Form Review and DCP Amendment – 30^th October 2006

Last update we did not provide much background on these consultations so we have included more details here from Clover’s enews.

The City is seeking public comment on the Draft Green Square Built Form Review, a study which the City commissioned to ensure a balance is achieved between development, open spaces and the public domain. This area, which includes Zetland, Beaconsfield and parts of Alexandria, Rosebery and Waterloo, faces significant change. The City's vision for Green Square is for an attractive, vibrant and sustainable urban environment which builds on the existing local character. The Review's aim is to achieve this vision and includes:

• a review of the density of development in the area;
• an assessment of building heights, taking into account streetscape, street frontage and the size of plots of land;
• consideration of the setbacks and landscape provision required for street trees and their proximity to existing and proposed public open spaces; and
• evaluation of building bulk for their visual scale, and relationship to existing buildings and over-shadowing.
  

Two public meetings were held to discuss the review, with comments incorporated in the Consultant's report.  The Final Draft Report is now on public exhibition and a final report will be presented to Council before the end of the year. The review will contribute to new planning controls for the area. It will then be incorporated into new City-wide planning controls and the new City Plan, which is currently being drafted. For more information on Green Square proposals:

• www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/UrbanRenewalProjects/GreenSquare/Default.asp
• Draft Amendment to South Sydney Development Control Plan 1997 – Green Square Precinct - Until Monday 30 October 2006. and
• Green Square Built Form Review - Until Monday 30 October 2006.

- Lord Mayor Community Forum Redfern Waterloo – 30^th October 2006

The Inner South Community Forum for Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh will be held on Monday 30 October 6 - 8.30pm Venue: Redfern Town Hall, 73 Pitt Street, Redfern

- Heritage Streetscapes Study – 30^th October 2006

Heritage Streetscapes Study - Until Monday 30 October 2006. Includes Redfern and Regents Street Redfern