3 November 2006

In This Update 

Draft Human Services Plan - Input, Evaluation and Performance

Railz Hotel applies to RWA for 24 hour Licence – Exhibition until 15^th November 2006.

CUB Development on Public Exhibition - until Monday 27th November 2006

Minister Sartor Meets with AHC

3801 and The Large Erecting Workshop

REDWatch and the State Election

Future Need for Inner-city Schools

South Sydney Herald November 2006

Redfern Street Public Art Concept Plan Display – to Monday 6^th November 2006

Putting the public interest back into transport – 9^th November 2006 UTS

Redfern Waterloo Local Action Plan – Until Tuesday 28^th November 2006.

Have your say – Consultations mentioned previously:

- Redfern Oval DA – 8^th November 2006

- Heritage Streetscapes Study – 1^st December 2006

Coming Events (look at the new local events entered on the REDWatch website that are not covered here)

Draft Human Services Plan - Input, Evaluation and Performance

REDWatch held a meeting on Wednesday 1^st November 2006 to discuss the RWA Draft Human Services Plan which is currently on exhibition until Tuesday 7^th November 2006. The meeting was attended by Aldo Pennini and Don Stewart from the RWA as well as residents and a number of people associated with local services.

While the meeting had been structured to provide an opportunity for the community and users of the existing services attending to rank the importance of the issues included in the RWA Draft HS Plan, it ended up being more of a debate, between those present and the RWA representatives, about the Human Services Plan and its perceived strengths and short comings. The differences were probably best summed up in an interchange in which the adequacy of the Draft RWA Plan recommendations on dementia were contrasted with the long standing problems facing the sole dementia service provider in the area. This service has inadequate resources to address current needs, is unable to refer residents in need of greater assistance or provide sufficient case management, and yet the Human Services Plan says there will be no new resources!

Faye Williams from Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development presented a Model for Resident input into the RWA HSP Phase 2.  It lists the 128 actions recommended in the RWA’s draft plan and raises a series of questions that could help people preparing their response to the Draft HSP Phase 2. We would however also like to see Faye have the opportunity to trial the process with a group of residents to get their ideas on the RWA’s proposed plan, as service user input has been very much missing in the preparation of the RWA Human Services Plans.

During the discussion the issue of evaluation and performance indicators was raised along with the importance for community involvement in that process. At the meeting Aldo Pennini undertook to provide a copy of the RWA Evaluation Framework and the RWA Human Services Plan Performance Indicators. These documents were finalised in June 2006 but may be subject to change overtime, depending on changing circumstances and availability of useful data. The documents provide the community and service providers with details of how the implementation of the cabinet endorsed Human Services Plan will be assessed. They also provide about areas where changes should be expected, in particular in the areas of Government delivered services.

Railz Hotel applies to RWA for 24 hour Licence – Exhibition until 15^th November 2006.

Railz Hotel on Regent Street, next to the Redfern RSL, has applied to the RWA for an extension of trading hours, so they can operate continuously with the exception of midnight Sunday to 5 am Monday. The details of the application can be seen on the RWA website at http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/development_applications/development_proposals_on_exhibition.htm.

The application follows the recent introduction of Alcohol Free Zones by the City of Sydney in many of the streets in the area, including outside the Railz hotel. Unlike the City of Sydney which has recently been reviewing the night trading policy throughout the city, this will be the first such application to be considered by the RWA which control only a couple of blocks of retail establishments. The Railz application can be downloaded from the web at DA 012-10-06 or viewed at the Neighbourhood Service Centre Redfern, Ground Level, Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, REDFERN from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mon – Fri and 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, Sat. Submissions need to be made by 15^th November 2006.

CUB Development on Public Exhibition - until Monday 27th November 2006

The State Significant Site Listing and Concept Plan for redevelopment of Carlton United Breweries Site, Chippendale (MP 06_0171) have been placed on exhibition. Submissions must be received by Monday 27^th November. The Developer has established a website to display all the supporting documents at www.cubproject.com.au. The Department of Planning web site lists the exhibition notice at http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/major_projects.asp as well as the earlier documents and Director General’s Requirements at http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#gma.

In summary, the proponent is seeking approval for a Concept Plan for the proposed development involving the redevelopment of the Carlton United Breweries site under the provisions of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 for the following:

• The layout of development into 11 development blocks, a new park and street layout.
• Land uses across the site and for specific blocks/floor levels where specified. Built envelopes including floor plates and maximum heights.
• Maximum gross floor space within each development block.
• Retention of a range of heritage items of significance.
• Street hierarchy for specific streets (including road and pavement widths and provision for bicycles).
• Landscaping concept.
• Access arrangements and car parking.
• Retention of existing short term public car park.
• Storm-water management concept.
• Utility services strategy.
• Statement of commitments.

The Proponent is also seeking to concurrently rezone and list the Site as a State significant site in Schedule 3 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005 to facilitate the Concept Plan. The Proponent is also seeking to enter into Voluntary Planning Agreements in connection with the rezoning for the provision of community facilities and affordable housing which can be viewed on the site at: Draft Voluntary Planning Agreement - Minister for Planning and Draft Voluntary Planning Agreement - Redfern-Waterloo Authority.

There are a great many documents up on the website and it is not easy to get a quick overview. An article on the proposal appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald under Reality of tower blocks exposed to daylight. The Coalition Chippendale Community Groups initial response to Exhibition covers some of the local Chippendale group’s initial concerns. As more material becomes available we will post it on the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/cub/exhibition/.

All the documents can be viewed in hard copy at Department of Planning (Head Office) Information Centre (22 - 33 Bridge Street, Sydney - 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday); City of Sydney Council - Town Hall House (456 Kent Street, SYDNEY - 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday); and City of Sydney Council - Redfern Service Centre (Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, REDFERN - 9.00am to 12.00pm, Saturday). Submissions must be submitted by Monday 27^th November 2006.

Minister Sartor Meets with AHC

On Wednesday 1^st November 2006 members of the Aboriginal Housing Company Project Team met with Minister Sartor and staff from the Department of Planning and the RWA. The AHC were encouraged that the Minister specifically asked for a briefing on the AHC’s Pemulwuy proposal. After the presentation the Minister noted that it was different to what he had seen two years ago. While the AHC remain concerned about the potential impact of the reduction in residential FSR the Minister and the Department have the power to address any variations that may be required. The meeting was very much in a planning context and the AHC Project Team left pleased with how the meeting had gone and with the constructive discussion held with the Minister.

3801 and The Large Erecting Workshop

The deadline of 26^th November 2006 for the expiry of the lease on the 3801 locomotive from Railcorp by 3801 Ltd draws near, but there is still no word on what has been recommended to the Minister for Transport about the future of 3801 or The Large. This has placed 3801 Ltd in a difficult position and last weekend volunteers were advised that the company may need to go into administration as it cannot take the forward bookings necessary to continue to operate. A copy of the handout to volunteers can be seen at 3801 LTD Briefing Paper to Volunteers, 27th October 2006. The Friends of Eveleigh have released the a statement about recent comments concerning 3801 and the Large. They have also provided a letter from 1981 from the RTM concerning the ownership of 3801. The statement can be downloaded from Friends of Eveleigh Comments on 3801 and Large - 3 November 2006 (PDF 349 Kb). As new information becomes available we will add it to the REDWatch website.

REDWatch and the State Election

REDWatch is made up of people with associated with all major local political parties and people with no link to political parties or groups, so in the lead up to the State Election the REDWatch Co-ordinating Group (which includes local party office bearers in the ALP, Greens and Liberal Party) formulated recommendations to the REDWatch membership about how REDWatch will handle Redfern Waterloo issues in the lead up to the election. The recent REDWatch meeting decided that REDWatch will encourage people to be actively involved in the political process and to debate the issues relating to Redfern Waterloo while remaining non party political.

REDWatch has decided that it will prepare a questionnaire for candidates on Redfern Waterloo issues and make it available on its website. After nominations close REDWatch will also hold a candidate forum focussing on the area’s issues for both Heffron and Marrickville, the two electorates that cover the RWA area.

REDWatch will continue to carry media articles and media statements from community groups on its website in the lead up to the election. To encourage a greater focus on Redfern Waterloo issues in the campaign, REDWatch will set up a new section of its website where candidates can supply a limited amount of party political material about the issues of direct concern to the area. REDWatch is proposing these arrangements to encourage community debate of local issues during the election. REDWatch reserves the right to control what goes on its website and to suspend access to the website if the process of site maintenance becomes too onerous on REDWatch or if arrangements are abused by candidates or their supporters.

REDWatch Secretary Ben Spiers-Butcher [should be Ben Spies-Butcher -eds] has been nominated as the Green’s candidate for Heffron and he has stepped down as REDWatch Secretary in the lead up to the March state Election.

Future Need for Inner-city Schools

Early in the life of the RWA the future of the former Redfern Public School was high on the community agenda and it was argued that, even if it was currently surplus to requirements, scarce inner city land should not be sold off but be kept for future public services. At that time we were told that should the area need a new school in the future then the Government would just have to buy up land to build a school. They argued that it did not make economic sense to hold onto the school site in, what the RWA considered unlikely case it might be needed in the future. A similar argument has been used recently about the use of Rachel Forster as a nursing home or supported accommodation unit.

It was hence with interest that we read recently in Birthing boom to put a squeeze on schools that Erskineville Public School, which was down for closure at the same time Redfern Public School was closed, is drawing up plans for more class rooms in response to the growing number of children in the inner city. This increase of children in the inner city is of course before Redfern gets the doubling of population proposed in the RWA Plans. It seems that people are not moving out of the area when they have children as expected by many. With the RWA working behind the scenes on Phase 2 of the Built Environment Plan, we hope that they will talk to the demographers and see if they need to include plans for a school as well as for aged facilities in the second phase of the plan!

South Sydney Herald November 2006

The November edition of the South Sydney Herald is out and is being distributed by volunteers around the inner city. A pdf of the latest edition will be on the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/redw/localmedia/ssh/ as soon as it is available. Some of the articles which may be of interest about Redfern Waterloo have been entered on the REDWatch website and include a frank conversation with Redfern resident Elizabeth Farrelly about the proposed redevelopment of the area in Truth on The Block. Beyond compliance journalism!. There is also a look at the reasons why public toilets are in storage while there is a significant need for new conveniences in Redfern is short of loos!

Other articles include Back to their roots for Regent St Indigenous business owners about three businesses that have moved into the area - a chartered accountant, a physiotherapist and a couple who have opened a new café. Appetite for fun is a short article about one of Regent Street’s café success stories and the recent youth Rock the Block concert is also covered. Also relevant, although not directly about the area, are Homeless people have stories we need to hear, Mental health stretched at the Cross and The Women’s & Girls’ Emergency Centre Inc needs our support. The SSH also ran a profile on Green’s candidate for the seat of Marrickville Greens select Fiona Byrne as their candidate for Marrickville and an update that Trevor may need more time lose weight.

Redfern Street Public Art Concept Plan Display – to Monday 6^th November 2006

In the last update we alerted people to this display. The City of Sydney have also put the proposals up on the council website (towards the foot of the page) so you can view the concepts proposed. There have been a range of reactions so add your thoughts on the proposals at http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/CityImprovements/RedfernStreetUpgradePublicArt.asp.

Putting the public interest back into transport – 9^th November 2006 UTS

Transport is the lifeblood of the city. But do private choices produce useful outcomes, or do we need community acceptance of the public good that comes from an efficient and clean transport network? This is the subject of UTS’s twilight seminar in November which is being held on 9 November 2006, 4pm - 7pm at UTS City Campus, Peter Johnson Building CB06, Level 4, Room 405 (CB06.04.05) with panellists Gary Glazebrook and Alan Finlay. For more information visit Sydney Futures Twilight Symposia - Putting the public interest back into transport.

Redfern Waterloo Local Action Plan – Until Tuesday 28^th November 2006.

The City of Sydney has placed two proposed Local Action Plans covering parts of Redfern Waterloo on exhibition. The Inner South Local Action Plan covers the bulk of Redfern Waterloo, while the Inner East Local Action Plan covers the Moore Park and Surry Hills part of Redfern. The release of the action plans for consultation follows recent public meetings on the plans. If you want to see what is proposed in your local area’s Local Action Plan and make comment on it, go to the pages on the website links above and download the draft plans. These web pages also include snapshots of the area and updates on local area issues of concern.

Have your say – Consultations mentioned previously:

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

- Redfern Oval DA – 8^th November 2006

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.

- Heritage Streetscapes Study – 1^st December 2006

Heritage Streetscapes Study - Until Friday 1 December 2006. Includes Redfern and Regents Street Redfern